Press Releases

NBCUniversal announces unprecedented programming of Paralympic Games 

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the most important events for high-class athletes all around the globe. They train for years to compete for their countries and win a medal. Olympics, Paralympics – both showcase the world’s elite athletes. There really isn’t much of a difference. However, historically, media coverage of the Paralympics has ... Read more

Autism Awareness: Easterseals and Rafi Nova develop sensory-friendly masks

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed all our lives in many ways. However, it hit people with disabilities exponentially harder. They have been neglected in decisions for vaccine distribution; they have been harmed by triage protocols, all while following strict rules on isolation and distancing. Especially people on the autism spectrum have faced many challenges ... Read more

DOJ Reaches Agreement with City of St. Louis for Accessible Voting Areas

THE US JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS TO ENSURE POLLING PLACE ACCESSIBILITY FOR VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES The Justice Department reached a settlement under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the Board of Election Commissioners for the City of ... Read more

ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT INTELLIGENT WHEELCHAIR PHOENIX INSTINCT RECEIVES $1M AS WINNER OF TOYOTA MOBILITY UNLIMITED CHALLENGE 

The ultra-lightweight, intelligent Phoenix Instinct wheelchair from the UK wins $1 million in prize money through the global Mobility Unlimited Challenge by the Toyota Mobility Foundation in partnership with Nesta Challenges.  The Mobility Unlimited Challenge was launched in 2017 to drive innovation in the field of assistive technologies for people with lower-limb paralysis. Around ... Read more

Let Your Voice Control Your Phone — Google’s Beta Update for Voice Access

On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Google has rolled out an updated version of Voice Access, available in Beta, that is easier to use and available to more people. Voice Access, which was previously available on Android 11, is now available globally to devices running Android 6.0 and above. Google launched Voice Access ... Read more

New design by Staki provides people with disabilities the joy of skiing

Eva, who has multiple sclerosis (MS), can now ski easier than walking Press Release: Ms. Eva has been struggling with multiple sclerosis (MS) for nearly thirty years. It primarily affects the mobility in her right leg. Although her diagnosis is overwhelming, she has been trying to devote herself to sports in her spare time ... Read more

Despite Covid-19, Community and Generous Donors Raise $135,000 for Adaptive Sports During #GivingTuesday 2020

Press Release: Hundreds of community members from across the country rallied around Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports’ #GivingTuesday 2020 fundraising campaign yesterday, raising more than $135,000 for the organization’s year-round adaptive sports and recreational programs and athlete scholarships. Generosity prevailed even during a pandemic, as the organization had its best #GivingTuesday results since it ... Read more

Media Access Awards 2020 presented by Easterseals

The Media Access Awards on November 19 will feature appearances from Selma Blair, Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Kimmel, Jane Lynch, Howie Mandel, Joshua Jackson, Eric McCormack, Will Reeve, Andy Samberg, Gabourey Sidibe and more!  This year’s celebration will be virtual on Thursday, November 19 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET, and will pay tribute to those ... Read more

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health: Supporting People with Mental Health Conditions

One out of five people in the US – a total of 51.5 million – live with a mental health condition, including common illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Although the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has improved the lives of many disabled people, the mental health community still faces ... Read more

abilityE — Disability Talent Source for the Entertainment Industry

Casting offices are looking for actors with authentic disabilities — shifting from actors acting if they have a disability. After posting your free profile on abilityE.com keep an eye out for messages about casting calls. A few possible questions you might have: abilityE is free to performers/talent/actors The site is built for performers/talent/actors with disABILITIES Performers/talent/actors ... Read more

Google rolls out Sound Notifications, Android Accessibility feature for household sounds

Google rolled out Sound Notifications, a new Android Accessibility feature that notifies you when there are important household sounds in your environment.  Sound Notifications is a new feature on Android that works completely offline and uses your phone’s microphone to recognize ten different noises—including baby sounds, water running, smoke and fire alarms, appliances beeping ... Read more

Disney TV Animation Casting Wheelchair Users

CASTING: A new Disney TV Animation series is searching for young girls that are authentic wheelchair users to play lead characters. JAZZY – 7 to 8 year old sounding real kid or teen (age range 7 to 17, as discussed also open to naturally young sounding adults), female, character is Black, singing ability is ... Read more

Inclusiveness and Apathy in the Workplace

Fostering Culture Change to Combat Apathy in the Workplace: A Discussion on Inclusiveness The United States is well versed in what to say in order to appear as if actions are being made toward positive change. Paying so-called “lip service” to topics of critical experience comes naturally, and is in fact seen as a ... Read more

Why this election is crucial for people with disabilities

LISTEN TO THE ARTICLE HERE  (We would love to know if you find this audio narrative an enjoyable option) November 3, 2020, might become one of the most important days in American history, especially for people with disabilities. It may decide over whether a person with a chronic illness or disability will have access to ... Read more

ADA30 Lead On: Celebration of Disability Arts, Culture, Education & Pride

As the nation ramps up to the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA30) on July 26, 2020, the 50-member ADA Lead On “Core Production Team” (in front of and behind the camera/keyboard) and 22 ADA Generation bloggers, influencers and signal boosters are focused and determined to set the record straight, flip ... Read more

Metrolink introduces new ticket machines with accessibility features

Metrolink announces the installation of 133 new ticket machines at its stations across Southern California. The new machines improve the customer experience through improved reliability, a focus on accessibility, and smarter, more customer-friendly features, such as touchscreens. The machines comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), featuring voice enabled technology, a headphone jack ... Read more

Adam P. Schleifer Releases Robust Plan to Increase Benefits, Fight for Civil Rights and the ADA

Schleifer running for Congress, pledges to fight for: increased federal benefits for disability community, fight civil rights abuses and discrimination in schools and workplace, and invest in ADA-compliant infrastructure. https://www.facebook.com/AdamSchleiferNY/photos/pcb.165982924885035/165982644885063/?type=3&__tn__=HH-R&eid=ARCxzsRLP1ngAG-ib69jEXj9pvVB3waq27_fi9FAJdP6l7PHk8MeS11p_Mw0-a-RKxDTHmS-DUBJNCXR&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDAc9rrI14QDS8tR8fWokGAXLl77sJEKpyIdWMwPro0p8w48qadIzKisyY_60osD7mL0ZLhnDPatTc05hFpN0YWyUhdGVAZq0dJ25ASu2UGCIfxlamkmg8_qAt6RgDNvFfbV_dqTPdsKoCWR9SsWNnYwFDXyeTY_DwTTzeG20dYrOR320EQfl3E76XHnWSzvQp5pWMGxHJUappvh50a0p2NaTCoiYqMjdbKlBS7Rr4zQCQFjxAXC2BCY3A9fNNzkGKDpPK3ZD6jHv4aerHI55KvBJRA6Rcs0erYkju_yFDOUTw-w0tNjzjjOKqU18HMBSmNlQd_-gGmY18FY_FkdC8 White Plains, NY – On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the American Disability Act (ADA), Adam P. Schleifer, a Democratic candidate for ... Read more

Regina Hall Interview with Chet Cooper

April/May 2010 Issue Though best known for her roles in the hit Scary Movie series and on television’s Ally McBeal, some of Regina Hall’s proudest work takes place well away from the glare of Hollywood. An avid volunteer for the care of senior citizens and an advocate for more public awareness of scleroderma, Hall, ... Read more

ABILITY Job Fair, originally built only for people with disabilities, launches new accessible platform to accommodate distance recruitment for all.

The first face to face video-based platform, accessible for people with deafness, hard of hearing, blindness and more, now expands to a virtual career fair recruitment tool to fill the need for talent search via in-person job fairs, when travel is no longer an option and social distancing is the new necessity. Costa Mesa, ... Read more

Lionsgate Feature Film is Searching for Youth Actor Blind or Low Vision

Lionsgate feature film is looking to find a Caucasian boy between the ages of 6-12 who is blind, partially blind or has low vision  CHARACTER DESCRIPTION:  MALE, Caucasian, 6-12 years old, (this character is based on a real-life person) an adorable young son, sweet, energetic, bright and trusting. Committed to authenticity and inclusion, learn ... Read more