Microsoft’s Adaptive Controller for the Xbox was designed with accessibility in mind. It brings the needs of people with disabilities to the forefront, ensuring that they can use their existing accessibility tools with a gamepad that was designed with them in mind.
Windows
grocer Makes Sure its Digital Platforms Are Fully Accessible to Blind Consumers
Peapod, the Chicago-based ecommerce grocer’s mobile app and website now comply with regulations under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), adopted into law in 1990 to ensure equal opportunities for all people with disabilities, in an effort to better serve customers with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed on May 11 that the retailer has fulfilled its commitment to making its consumer interfaces accessible to all consumers.
For assistance with the process, Peapod enlisted My Blind Spot, a company that helps organizations integrate inclusive digital design into their culture, processes and technical infrastructures.
HoloLens Can Now Guide Blind Users Inside Buildings
Microsoft’s HoloLens has an impressive ability to quickly sense its surroundings, but a group of scientists found it’s really good at helping blind people find their way through buildings and offering a better sense of where objects are around them.
Microsoft Hosting Workshops During Ability Week
Microsoft has announced that it will be hosting ‘Ability Week,’ a week full of workshops focused on accessibility in technology, from May 29 to June 2. Workshops range from ‘Deaf and Hard of Hearing Day: Minecraft Coding workshop’ to ‘Mobility Day, Build the Robotic Finger workshop.’ The programs will be held at Microsoft stores across Canada, U.S. and Puerto Rico. Users can check out if there are any events happening near them here.
April showers bring updates from the Redmond towers! Reviewing the Windows 10 April update
Introduction
With another year, comes another update. Having re-written this section of the review multiple times now feels just the same as the world felt when the April update slipped it’s April 10th release schedule date. Oh, that faithful Patch Tuesday, now come and gone. Nobody really knew what caused the update to slip a full 20 days, but it was most likely for the right reasons. Twice when installing the so called released build, 17133, my humble Lenovo Ultrabook machine randomly rebooted the update from the beginning – prompting me to retry each time. Something didn’t feel quite right.
Accessibility Xbox Controller Leaks Ahead of E3
Images for an unannounced Xbox controller have leaked online. The controller is designed for people with accessibility needs and was likely going to get a big reveal at next month’s Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles.
Canadian Assistive Devices Program Behind by Almost 20 Years
Marie-Claire Bilyk works in peer support for CNIB in London, Ontario. Bilyk says she’s heard from a number of CNIB clients who want the province to update its assistive devices program. When Marie Claire Bilyk drops an earring and can’t find it, she reaches for her smart phone.
Microsoft Adding New Accessibility Improvements in Windows 10
Microsoft is introducing a number of improvements in Windows 10 this year to improve accessibility. The company recently outlined some of the new accessibility-related features and improvements in Windows 10 that are already available to Insiders today, as well as some that will be coming to users later this year.
Accessibility Improvements Coming soon to Skype on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android
The Skype team are addressing accessibility improvements to the Skype applications on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. The improvements are part of Microsoft’s mission to make technology more accessible and empower people to achieve more.
Microsoft’s Research Group is making AR More Tactile
Microsoft’s Research group is at it again, showing off a bunch of new controllers for augmented and virtual reality. They’re strictly experimental for now, but show a lot of potential for making AR and VR more fun and inclusive.
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