Patently Apple – Friday, June 30, 2023, 11:44 AM
Apple Patent Reveals advancing Siri for Controlling Apps on Apple Devices including their upcoming Vision Pro Headset
Yesterday the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that relates to enabling Siri to understand a new set of commands for controlling applications like a word processor and more. The invention relates to the upcoming Apple Vision Pro, the iPhone and more.
Apple’s Siri may require training to be able to interact with the applications or process the commands to perform one or more tasks. This can be cumbersome and time intensive, creating barriers for developers who wish to integrate their applications with the digital assistant and for users who seek a greater level of access to different tasks with the digital assistant.
Addressing this issue extends to Apple’s coming Vision Pro Spatial Computing Headset. Apple notes in patent FIG. 1B below that system #100 includes two (or more) devices in communication. First device #100b (e.g., a base station device) includes processor(s) may be wired or wireless. The second device #100c (e.g., a head-mounted device) includes various components, such as processor(s), RF circuitry, memory, image sensor(s), orientation sensor(s), microphone(s), location sensor(s), speaker(s), display(s) and more.
Apple covers AR/VR/MR in eight paragraphs to emphasize that the invention relating to Siri controlling applications definitely extends to their upcoming Apple Vision Pro.
In Apple’s patent FIG. 7 below the Apple Vision Pro may produce a VR environment including one or more virtual objects that Siri may interact with based on user input. In some examples, the headset may generate or receive a view of the virtual environment, including the one or more virtual objects. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the headset may receive view #700 including a virtual painting #702 and a virtual couch #703.
While interacting with view #700, Siri may receive a spoken input #701 “make the couch blue” that it doesn’t recognize. Accordingly, Siri determines whether the command matches an action, sub-action, or at least a portion of the metadata of a link model to determine which action should be performed.
The patent also relates to Siri working with apps on other devices like an iPhone as pictured in patent FIGS. 4 and 6 below. These are examples of input commands to be mapped and executed.
As shown in FIG. 4 above, the system may receive the spoken input #404 “bold the word ‘Hey!’.” Siri may process the spoken input to determine that the command is “bold” but may not understand what the command “bold” means or what action to perform based on that command. Accordingly, the system and Siri may determine the action to perform for the command “bold” by accessing a “link interface,” as noted in patent FIG. 3 below.
Finer details could be found in Apple’s 46 page patent application number 20230206912 titled “Digital Assistant Control of Applications.”
Some of the Team Members on this Apple Project
Cédric Bray: AR/VR Engineering Manager
Helmut Garstenauer: Senior AR/VR Software Engineer
Tim Oriol: Senior Software Engineering Manager, Technology Development Group
Kurt Piersol: Lead Engineer
Jessica Peck: Conversation Designer
Luca Simonelli: Software Engineering Manager
Nathan Taylor: App Intents Engineering Manager
https://www.patentlyapple.com/2023/06/apple-patent-reveals-advancing-siri-for-controlling-apps-on-apple-devices-including-their-upcoming-vision-pro-headset.html
Australian Story produced an episode where half the interviewees were blind. This is what we learnt
Mon 19 Jun 2023 at 3:58pm
One producer, one camera operator and two blind men rushing through Auckland Airport. There was a short window between our flight from Auckland to Samoa and we had to pretty much run to make the tight turnaround.
Airports can be overwhelming for the most seasoned travellers. Add in blindness and it’s a whole different story. Plus, we were filming the mad dash for an upcoming Australian Story. I had underestimated what would be required.
Seventeen years ago, Jamie Teh and Mick Curran invented the world’s most popular free screen-reader software. Called NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), it’s the only screen reader in the world made by blind people for blind people.
It’s now used by 275,000 people in 175 countries and has been translated into 50 languages. We were travelling with Jamie and Mick to document the impact their software is having in Samoa.
It was fascinating to watch them navigate their way through the airport using a form of echolocation, clicking their fingers to listen for sounds echoing off the walls and furniture to determine where they are in the space.
In the end we got through security, tracked down the correct gate and finally boarded the plane. It wasn’t until the adrenaline had subsided and I was seated next to Jamie and Mick that I could catch my breath and realise what we had just achieved.
“Are you guys OK?” I asked.
The notoriously good-humoured pair just laughed. As Jamie says, they take their blindness in their stride and just “get on with it”.
Kristine Taylor and camera operator Anthony Sines sit down for an interview with NVDA co-founder Jamie Teh (left).(Australian Story: Kate Wilson)none
When we commissioned the story we knew there could be some additional things to consider. As with many sighted people, I had not met many people with limited vision, so it was a big learning experience for me.
Mick and Jamie are seasoned travellers, but it takes them a little extra planning to get from point A to point B, such as getting an escort at the airport from the taxi to the check-in counter and to the correct gate.
There’s so much that you take for granted as a sighted person, tiny details that you pick up and process, that a person who is vision-impaired doesn’t.
Mick Curran (centre) and Jamie Teh (right) read a braille menu as they sit down for lunch with Ari Hazelman from the Samoa Blind Persons Association.(Australian Story )none
When Jamie and Mick, camera operator Marc Smith and I arrived at our hotel in Samoa, one of things we did was guide Mick and Jamie to their room and then orientate them within the room. When they are in a new space they need to orientate themselves and become familiar with the space, including doing little things like identifying which bottle is the shampoo and which one is the conditioner, where they can find the TV remote, kettle and so on.
I said to Mick and Jamie when we first started filming that they would need to let me know what I was doing right and, more importantly, what I was doing wrong. They were not shy in pointing out the latter. Anyone who has watched the program will have noticed their sense of humour on the trip — we had a lot of laughs, much of it at our expense.
Something we did get wrong was the first time we filmed with Jamie I took him by the hand to guide him. This is not the preferred way in the blind community, so I found out. Instead, I offered my elbow or arm. It was a small thing but made a big difference once I knew the correct way to guide.
It was a memorable experience filming with Mick and Jamie, Taylor says.(Australian Story)none
Audio description rolls out across the ABC
Although more than half the interview subjects in the story were blind, the interviews were structured and set up much the same as any other — lighting, two cameras, a producer and a quiet space to film. We faced one another in the interview as we normally would.
In fact, nothing much differed with Mick and Jamie — it was like any other Australian Story interview, however, for any sequences outside the home we would ensure we orientated them in the space first.
Jamie Teh in interview with Australian Story.(Australian Story: Kate Wilson)none
One thing Mick and Jamie had told me was that when blind or vision-impaired people got together in a room, they did not always feel it was necessary to face each other, so they might end up chatting away enthusiastically while facing in all different directions.
In this case I had to ask them to direct their responses to where our voice was coming from, but that’s something they are used to doing when talking to sighted people.
We knew that there would be a lot of people who are vision-impaired and blind who would be interested in this story and we wanted to make sure those people could engage fully with the episode.
Jamie Teh (left) and Mick Curran are sought after for their experience with accessibility for vision-impaired people.(Australian Story: Kate Wilson)none
In consultation with ABC’s senior channel manager, Charlie Cox, digital producer Megan Mackander and I quickly discovered the best way to make content accessible for vision-impaired viewers was audio description (AD). This is a narration that describes important visual elements of a television program, movie or performance between lines of dialogue. As with closed captions, it can be turned on or off as needed.
Jamie Teh explains how NVDA screen reader software works to create synthetic speech.(Australian Story )none
About 14 hours of content is audio described each week at the ABC. It’s something the ABC is rolling out across ABC iview and TV broadcast for select programs such as Australian Story, Back Roads, and popular children’s shows such as Bluey and Play School. The ABC is looking to expand this further in the future.
We’ve had some great feedback on the program. Inspiring, talented, clever and change-makers were just some of the words popping up in our social media comments. Some viewers were even calling for the duo to have an Australian of the Year nomination.
For me, making this program was a truly memorable and educational experience. Jamie and Mick were kind teachers and such fun to be with.
Watch Australian Story’s Blind Leading the Blind on ABC iview (AD option available) or ABC News In-Depth YouTube (or watch the AD version here)
Sharon’s Shortcuts – Monday, June 26, 2023 at 5:24 AM
Calculate Formulas in Excel Spreadsheets
You can get Excel to recalculate formulas and functions in all open workbooks, or just in one worksheet in a workbook.
Press F9 to recalculate formulas in all open Excel workbooks.
Press Shift + F9 to recalculate formulas in the active worksheet.
Now, usually, Excel automatically updates the results of formulas and functions whenever something changes. So you only need these shortcuts if the Calculation Option is set to Manual.
So why would anyone change the calculation option from Automatic to Manual? Well, when working with very large files, the constant updating, whenever changes are made, can be slow. Therefore, people will sometimes switch to Manual mode while working through changes on worksheets that have a lot of data.
The Calculation Option is on the Formulas ribbon (Alt + M, then X).
Accessibility Features Of Zoom And How To Make Zoom Meetings More Accessible
With the increasing remote working trends in today’s digital age, virtual meetings have become integral to business and social communication. For people with disabilities, these virtual meetings on digital platforms can sometimes pose accessibility challenges.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 16% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability, making it crucial to provide more user-friendly solutions. So, join us as we dive into the accessibility features and challenges of some leading digital platforms, starting with Zoom. Through a series of informative guides, we will explore how these companies work to make their websites more accessible to all users.
In this guide, we will look at Zoom’s accessibility features and share tips on how to make your Zoom meetings more accessible.
Zoom’s Commitment to Accessibility
Zoom has become a popular tool for remote work, online classes, and virtual hangouts. But have you ever wondered if all of its features provide equal access to everyone? The good news is that this virtual meeting software is committed to making its platform inclusive for all users.
The company states on its accessibility page: “Accessibility is at the heart of what we do.” It describes its commitment to accessibility: “Zoom puts users front and center, driving inclusivity for everyone. We listen to our customers and continually seek ways to build the best, most accessible communications experience.”
Zoom Feature Accessibility: A Closer Look
Zoom has a variety of features that make it easy for people with disabilities to participate fully in online meetings, including:
Closed Captioning
Zoom offers closed captioning for meetings, which is incredibly helpful for people with hearing impairment. The captioning can be automated or done by a live captioner, depending on your needs. You can adjust the size of the closed captioning text to make it easier to read.
Keyboard Shortcuts
It also has keyboard shortcuts that can be used instead of a mouse, making it more accessible for people with motor disabilities. And for people with visual impairments, Zoom has screen reader support and the ability to adjust font sizes and colors.
Virtual Background
One cool feature is Zoom’s virtual background option, which can be helpful for people who have visual distractions in their environment or who just want a little extra privacy.
Screen Reader Support
Zoom is compatible with popular screen readers such as VoiceOver, NVDA, and JAWS, allowing visually impaired users to participate in meetings.
High Contrast Mode
Users can switch to high contrast mode, making the interface easier for people with low vision or color blindness.
Focus Mode
This feature allows the user to pin the video of the speaker they want to focus on, making it easier to follow along with the conversation. Blurring the video background helps minimize visual distractions during meetings and makes it easier to focus on the speaker.
Audio Transcription
Besides closed captioning, Zoom offers an audio transcription feature that creates a real-time written transcript of the meeting.
Voicemail Transcription
This feature automatically transcribes voicemail messages into text format, making it easier for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to access and understand voicemail messages.
Text Formatting
There’s an option to format text in the chat feature, making reading messages easier for users with visual impairments.
Dark Mode
This feature changes the background of Zoom’s interface to black, which can be helpful for users with visual impairments or sensitivity to bright light.
Host Can Mute/Unmute Participants (With Consent)
This feature allows the host of a meeting to mute and unmute participants’ audio, which can be helpful for users with hearing impairments or to minimize background noise during a meeting.
Tips To Make Zoom Meetings More Accessible
Making sure that virtual meetings are as inclusive as possible is important, especially as more and more people are now using them to connect. Zoom is a great tool that can bring people together, but it’s important to keep accessibility in mind. Here are some tips and tricks for ensuring everyone can easily participate in Zoom meetings.
Use Closed Captioning
Provide closed captioning for all meetings so that participants with hearing impairments can follow along.
Share Materials In Advance
Send materials like agendas and presentation slides to participants in advance to give them more time to review and prepare.
Use A Clear Background
A clear and uncluttered background helps participants focus on what’s being said and makes it easier for people with visual impairments to follow along.
Use A Microphone
Use a high-quality microphone to ensure everyone can hear you clearly, and encourage them to use a microphone.
Allow For Breaks
Take regular breaks to give participants time to stretch, rest their eyes, and take a break from their screens.
Use Plain Language
Use plain language when speaking or presenting. In other words, avoid technical jargon or complex language (as much as possible) that can be difficult for some participants to understand.
Provide Alternative Formats
When sharing visual materials during a Zoom meeting, provide alternative formats to ensure accessibility for those with visual impairments. This could include providing audio descriptions of images, videos, or text transcripts of any written content.
Spotlight the ASL Interpreters
When recording a Zoom video session with an ASL interpreter, don’t forget to use the “Spotlight” feature so the ASL is captured. Only meeting hosts can access this feature. It will ensure that the interpreter’s video is the main focus during the recording, making it easier for individuals who rely on ASL to access the content later.
Share Keyboard Shortcuts
Before a meeting, share the Zoom Keyboard Shortcuts with participants, especially those using keyboard-only navigation or assistive technology. This will help in case the mouse suddenly stops working.
Zooming In on Accessibility: Enhancing the Meeting Experience for All
Zoom has made significant strides in offering accessibility features that cater to users with different types of disabilities. From closed captioning and keyboard shortcuts to virtual backgrounds and advanced screen reader capabilities, many tools are available to help make Zoom meetings barrier-free for everyone.
These features are only a starting point; we can always do more to make online conferences truly convenient for everyone. By implementing the tips discussed in this guide, we can all work towards creating a more welcoming virtual environment for all participants.
Say goodbye to CT Scans and MRI’s
5 Ways to Take Care of Your Hearing Aids This Summer – CNET
Now more than ever, hearing aids are easily accessible to those who need them. If you’re one of the many people who uses a hearing aid, then you know it’s important to take care of your device on a daily basis. This still holds true during the summer as you take part in more outdoor activities, which can put your hearing aids at a greater risk of damage.
You don’t have to avoid your favorite activities, but you should be mindful of protecting your hearing aids to the best of your ability. Moisture from sweat and swimming can be especially harmful, but you can avoid negatively affecting your aids’ function by practicing good hygiene. We received some expert advice on how to maintain your hearing aids this summer without missing out on the fun.
Make sure your hearing aids fit well
Ill-fitting hearing aids are more likely to fall out than ones that are properly fitted. Make sure you’ve been properly measured for one, especially if you’re going to be doing strenuous activity.
Leslie Soiles is HearingLife chief audiologist and holds a doctorate in audiology. She says you should ensure your hearing aids are paired to your smartphone and that you’ve downloaded the manufacturer’s app.
“Many hearing aid apps have a ‘Find my Hearing Aid’ feature that will track the location of a lost hearing aid,” Soiles said. This will make it easier for you to locate your hearing aid if it accidentally falls out or goes missing.
Keep hearing aids dry
It’s inevitable that you’ll break a sweat during the sweltering days of summer. But that doesn’t mean your hearing aids have to get ruined. “It may feel very seventies, but wearing a headband when you know you are going to be sweating can be a big help in protecting your hearing aids from excessive moisture,” said Soiles.
If your hearing aid does get wet, that doesn’t mean it’s ruined for good. Instead pat it dry with a soft cloth. Hearing aids that use batteries should also have the battery removed and dried.
If you think moisture has seeped into your hearing aids, Sarah Lundstrom, who holds a doctorate in audiology and works at HearCare Audiology, shared some key signs to look out for, including “discoloration or debris in the battery compartment, discoloration of the receiver wire, wearing of the external coating on the body of the hearing aid, static sound, intermittent function, or poor sound quality/weak amplification.”
Lundstrom suggests using an electric dryer or dry aid kit on a daily or weekly basis to keep moisture from building up in your hearing aids. Other steps you can take include cleaning your hearing aid regularly and keeping your ears clean. ”People tend to produce more wax and sweat in their ears during humid months, so wipe off wax on your hearing aid as needed with a soft cloth,” she said.Jose Marques/Getty Images
Store hearing aids in a temperature-controlled space
In the summer, it’s easy for enclosed locations to overheat. Avoid leaving your hearing aids in places like your car’s glove compartment. “The internal temperature of a glove compartment can reach over 140 degrees and the excessive heat can cause a hearing aid’s electronics to become damaged,” warned Soiles. Instead, store hearing aids in a cool, dry place when not in use to keep them protected from heat-related issues such as battery drain.
Don’t wear hearing aids when swimming
Unfortunately, hearing aids are not designed to handle water activities like swimming. Make sure to take them off and store them properly if you are showering, visiting a pool or beach or going anywhere else they may get wet. “Investing in a durable and waterproof case for your hearing aids is highly recommended,” Lundstrom said. “Especially if you plan to spend time at the beach or pool.”
She also advises removing the batteries before storing hearing aids in the case. These cases provide an extra layer of protection against moisture, sand and dirt (which can clog microphone ports and are also to be avoided). The protective storage case should also be kept out of direct sunlight and instead placed inside your bag.
Maintain regular visits to your audiologist
As with any important doctor’s visits, you should maintain appointments with your audiologist to make sure your hearing hasn’t changed and to keep your hearing aids in tip top shape. Your doctor will be able to inspect and make sure your hearing aids are still functioning properly and can replace any pieces that are worn down.https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/hearing-aids-how-to-pick-the-perfect-pair-for-you/
https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/avoid-bacteria-buildup-and-clean-your-hearing-aids/
Accessible Hiring Best Practices: 6 Steps to a More Inclusive Hiring Process
Accessible hiring practices are essential for the long-term success and sustainability of organizations. This article will explore the concept of accessible hiring, define what an accessible workplace entails, and provide tips on increasing inclusivity in your hiring practices.
Accessible hiring: What does it mean to have an accessible workplace?
Accessible hiring refers specifically to a focus on hiring people with disabilities, and ensuring that proper accommodations are made to create an accessible workplace.
How are accessible hiring and inclusive hiring related?
Inclusive hiring and accessible hiring are closely linked, but there is a difference. Accessible hiring is about hiring people with disabilities, while inclusive hiring is about hiring people from diverse backgrounds, including race/ethnicity, gender, and more. Inclusive hiring is a broader concept encompassing accessible hiring as one of its components.
Inclusive hiring is especially important for companies with a special focus on accessibility, such as Allyant. According to a survey by Monster.com, a popular careers website, 86% of job seekers prioritize workplace inclusion. The study also revealed that 62% of individuals would only accept a job offer from a company that demonstrated an inclusive culture.
Who benefits from inclusive hiring?
Inclusive hiring practices benefit both sides of the hiring process: the candidate and the company. Candidates from various backgrounds will likely feel more empowered to apply and share their skills and experiences. Inclusive hiring processes also reflect well on companies and make them a more welcoming and inviting workplaces.
Companies and hiring teams that value inclusion typically create more innovative and productive organizations. Employees are more likely to be engaged and motivated, improving productivity and increasing the likelihood of prospective employees being interested in your organization.
Inclusive hiring and accessibility
Inclusive hiring is extremely important for accessibility organizations. Having an inclusive hiring process (and employees with disabilities) reinforces the company’s mission and commitment to accessibility, both within and outside the company. Hiring employees from diverse backgrounds also makes for a more interesting and potentially productive organization, as current and future employees may have different problem-solving strategies.
Inclusive hiring can often lead to hiring more employees with disabilities. Other than showing a commitment to accessibility, organizations (especially those with an accessibility focus) benefit significantly from employing people with disabilities.
In the case of digital accessibility, Allyant employs several auditors who have disabilities. Having people who live with disabilities review website accessibility creates a more authentic and credible reputation for your brand.
6 Inclusive hiring tips: How can I make my hiring more accessible?
How do organizations practice inclusive hiring? Below are some inclusive hiring tips for your organization to become a more well-rounded, diverse company:
1. Create inclusive job descriptions: Emphasize that anyone can apply to jobs within your organization, regardless of disability, racial/ethnic background, etc. As noted above, clarifying that your organization encourages applicants from a wide range of experiences reflects well on the company and likely makes the company more attractive to potential candidates.
2. Use simple language: Similarly, writing job descriptions with short, simple sentences is preferred. Avoid long, exhaustive lists of qualifications. Instead, list only the essential skills required. You can always go into more detail later, like at the job interview. This especially helps candidates with certain cognitive disabilities, for instance, who may have difficulty comprehending or remembering lots of information at once.
3. Make sure your career website is accessible: Of course, having an inaccessible website prevents people with disabilities and potentially others) from applying at all. As a result, your organization may miss out on qualified candidates simply because they can’t complete the application process. Third-party digital accessibility companies such as Allyant can help your organization ensure your online application process is accessible to all!
4. Educate hiring teams (and all employees) on bias awareness: We all have unconscious biases against certain groups of people. Recruiters and other hiring team members must be educated on potential bias. For example, interview questions may be asked in ways that benefit one group of people over another. This may lead to hiring team members forming incorrect assumptions about certain people.
5. Have diverse hiring teams: Organizations need diverse hiring teams. In the case of accessibility-focused organizations, having people with disabilities on hiring teams reflects well on companies and can lead to more authentic perspectives on the organization’s mission and vision.
6. Inclusive recruitment and selection processes: Organizations that value inclusivity must also consider notifying prospective job applicants about the availability of accommodation throughout the interview process and for other candidate selection methods. This provides applicants with fair treatment throughout the process and helps to eliminate any barriers in the recruitment and selection process.
Accessible and inclusive hiring have many benefits, from enhancing a company’s reputation to ensuring that all potential candidates can successfully participate in all stages of the recruitment and selection process. By considering candidates with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, accessible and inclusive hiring can result in a larger available talent pool, as well as increased productivity and a more supportive and engaged workplace.
Google introduces new accessibility and collaboration features for classrooms
Google introduced new accessibility and learning features on Tuesday at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) expo. These features included expansion of the reading mode, pairing with a sign language interpreter in Google Meet, and AI-powered question suggestions in a class.
The company has been experimenting with AI-powered tools in its consumer products like Search, Gmail, and Sheets. Now, Google is bringing AI-powered questions to an assignment that revolves around a YouTube video. Teachers can add their own questions or modify AI-powered suggestions as well. Currently, the company is accepting applications to try this out in English with support for Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and Malay.
© Provided by TechCrunch
Image Credits: GoogleIn March, Google introduced Reading Mode in a side pane, which removes elements like videos and images from the page and helps users focus on the text. At that time, the feature was only available for Chrome browsers on ChromeOS. Google announced Tuesday that it coming to all Chrome users soon.
Additionally, the company said that screen reader users will be able to convert images to text for PDFs using Chrome browser on Chromebooks. However, the feature will likely not let users copy the text from these PDFs.
© Provided by TechCrunch
Image Credits: GoogleGoogle said that it has also introduced new fonts to make reading easier in Arabic, Cyrillic, and Latin systems. Those fonts are optically variable — that means the font has an adaptive design for different sizes to improve readability.
The search giant introduced a new tile-pairing feature for Google Meet as well. When this feature is enabled, it highlights both tiles when one of the participants speaks. This makes it easier to connect a sign language interpreter to the speaker.
Google Meet is also getting some features like support for polls and Q&A during a live stream for classrooms with ‘Teaching and Learning Upgrade’ or ‘Education Plus’ subscriptions.
The company offers Workspace for education for free, but for features like advanced security, learning, device management, and analytics, it offers the Standard tier for $3 per student per year and the Plus tier for $5 per student per year.
Google introduces new accessibility and collaboration features for classrooms by Ivan Mehta originally published on TechCrunch
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Accessibility is Officially Recognized as a Cybersecurity Priority
When I joined Deque almost a year ago as the Director of Security, I became acutely aware of the importance of accessibility in cybersecurity. Through my research, I found that not only are cybersecurity solutions in most organizations not accessible for end users, but most tools used by cybersecurity professionals themselves also are not accessible to people with disabilities. This makes it extremely difficult—if not impossible—for people with disabilities to work in cybersecurity.
On May 18, 2023, Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), the National Cyber Security Centre of the United Kingdom (UK) wrote about these issues in their blog: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/blog-post/accessibility-as-a-cyber-security-priority. This is a history-making statement as the UK is the first national government to take a stand on this ever-important issue. People and companies worldwide deal with online security problems every day, and, as we’ve all seen, the effects can be devastating.
In the blog by Lee C of the NCSC UK Sociotechnical and Risk Group, a situational story clearly illustrates how most of the security solutions used today are not accessible to those we are trying to protect and why this should be a priority for cybersecurity professionals. He gave clear examples to show how security programs can be unintentionally inaccessible for end users and how we can improve them. The solutions he proposed are possible, and we need to make accessibility a priority when building and maintaining their security programs going forward.
Some cybersecurity publications also covered this historic announcement. Phil Muncaster, the UK / EMEA News Reporter for Infosecurity Magazine, wrote an article summarizing the highlights from the NCSC UK announcement/. Michael Hill, UK Editor for CSO Online, wrote a report on what was covered in the NCSC UK announcement and got feedback from Lisa Ventura, founder of Cyber Security Unity. “If you have security measures in your organization that aren’t accessible,” said Ms. Ventura, “your systems will be much harder for everyone to use. The advice provided is a great starting point, and I hope to see it implemented by organizations, no matter their size.”.
I agree that this is a step in the right direction, but this announcement only addresses ways to improve accessibility for end users. It did not cover how the field of cybersecurity is also unintentionally inaccessible because most cybersecurity solutions today are not accessible to people with disabilities who don’t even have the chance to break into the field. And, if someone already in the area should become newly blind, they would most likely have to find another career. Not only does this significantly reduce the available talent pool for one of the fastest-growing and critical digital requirements, it adversely affects all portions of an existing security team.
To learn more, watch my Why Cybersecurity Should be Digitally Accessible webinar on demand.https://www.deque.com/blog/accessibility-is-officially-recognized-as-a-cybersecurity-priority/
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/blog-post/accessibility-as-a-cyber-security-priority
https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/ncsc-time-cisos-prioritize
https://accessibility.deque.com/why-should-cybersecurity-be-digitally-accessible
Accessibility – BingNews – Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 7:05 PM
Employers And Workers With Disabilities Both Benefit From Technology AccessibilityCompanies that ensure their technology is accessible to all, typically experience enhanced … [+] productivity, more innovation, improved recruitment and retention, as well as a stronger brand identity.
Pexel
Technology in our lives and in the workplace is, for many of us, an answer to multitasking, working faster and working smarter. Imagine if we were unable to access our emails via our smartphones, review a spreadsheet while on the train or watch our baby sleeping through a tiny screen on the monitor one floor away. Today, with a quick glance at our wrist, we can see an important news update or track our steps and heart rate while tiny earbuds connect us to music, calls with our kids or that last-minute team meeting.
The advantages of this ever-expanding world of technology are infinite. However, all workforce technology needs to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Accessibility benefits those with disabilities by leveling the playing field and gives employers more opportunity to meet their diversity, equity and inclusion goals while helping to ensure they have a skilled and talented workforce.
Companies that see the value people with disabilities bring to the workplace especially when they ensure their technology is accessible to all, typically experience enhanced productivity, more innovation, improved recruitment and retention, as well as a stronger brand identity. A study by Accenture reveals that companies identified as disability-inclusion champions had 28% higher revenue.
Data Support The Need For Accessible Technology
The World Economic Forum reports that nearly one in six people — or over 1 billion worldwide — has a disability related to hearing, vision, mobility, speech, cognition or nervous system functions. In this digital age, companies worldwide need to make sure those with disabilities are not excluded from the workforce because these organizations have not yet successfully adapted technology for those with disabilities.
More than half of U.S. workers rely on technology to do their jobs. Zoom video meetings, Microsoft Teams, and a host of other technology platforms helped make this a reality. Other tools such as screen readers and subtitles for video meetings, help workers with disabilities be a vital part of their organizations and further workplace inclusion.
MORE FOR YOU
Is workplace accessibility, which includes technology accessibility, sufficient today? In a study by Adobe, 77% of workers with disabilities believe their employer has done a “better job” supporting them since the beginning of the pandemic. However, 84% of all surveyed, regardless of disability status, believe their coworkers would benefit from more workplace accessibility. Three out of four in the disability community claim that accessibility and inclusivity are pivotal factors in evaluating a job opportunity. These findings suggest that while progress is occurring in both workplace and technology accessibility, more can be done.
The Essentials Employers Need For Technology Accessibility
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) defines technology accessibility as “tools that can be used successfully by people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities.” These may include:
Web-based intranet and internet information and applications.
Email and other electronic correspondence.
Software applications and operating systems.
Telecommunications products.
Video and multimedia products.
Desktop and portable computers.
Self-contained, closed products such as calculators, copy machines and printers.
Online job applications.
These various tools need to be accessible in any number of settings, such as team meetings in the office or remote, special events and career fairs or off-site training and conferences.
SSDI Beneficiaries May Require Accessibility
When Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries transition back to work through Social Security’s Ticket To Work Program, they need to make sure that the technology tools and systems their employer uses are accessible. While many companies are making strides to ensure workers with disabilities are not excluded from technology innovations, more work is needed. Creating awareness throughout leadership teams and employee ranks is one important first step. Company-wide policies and highly focused training can help as well to stress the value of technology accessibility.
Fortunately, resources are available to employers to help them build and maintain digital workplaces that are accessible to everyone. The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT), funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy is a vital resource for employers as they strive to do just that. According to PEAT, workforce participation for people with disabilities can increase as more employers focus on inclusive technologies.Click to access Accenture-Disability-Inclusion-Research-Report.pdf
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/digital-technology-workforce-disabled-people/
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