Accessibility

Accessibility

Laetitia Thompson from Centre for Accessibility Australia

Innovative QR Codes Transform Packaging Accessibility for People Who Are Blind or with Low Vision.

By Laetitia L. Thompson, Senior Digital Content Editor at the Centre for Accessibility, Australia.

A pioneering solution is transforming packaging accessibility for individuals who are blind or with low vision. Developed by UK-based Zappar, these groundbreaking QR codes are tailored to provide essential product information with ease. These specialised ‘accessible QR codes’ have made their debut on UK store shelves, marking the collaboration of technology and social responsibility.

Digital Mentor Training

Be Connected Digital Mentor training session

Become a Digital Mentor with ASCCA’s Be Connected Training!

Unlock the power of technology and become a Digital Mentor with ASCCA’s Be Connected Training! As a Be Connected Capacity Building Network Partner, ASCCA offers FREE training in September both in person (Perth) and online to help you guide seniors on their digital journey. Join us in making a meaningful impact.

We are excited to announce the latest Be Connected Digital Mentor training dates for September, 12th September in Perth – in partnership with the Centre for Accessibility Australia, and 20th and 22nd September online option (two half day sessions form the full day – registrants must be available for both sessions).

Accessibility

Laetitia Thompson from Centre for Accessibility Australia

Google Introduces Image-to-Text Feature for Enhanced Accessibility in Chrome on ChromeOS.

By Laetitia L. Thompson, Senior Digital Content Editor at the Centre for Accessibility, Australia.

Google has unveiled a new image-to-text feature in Chrome on ChromeOS. This functionality aims to assist screen readers in working with PDFs, particularly when images lack alt-text descriptions. With the ability to analyze image contents and convert text saved as an image back into machine-accessible text using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, this feature enables users who are blind or with low vision, to access PDF content more effectively.

Accessibility Update

Laetitia Thompson from Centre for Accessibility Australia

Apple Announces New Accessibility Features Coming Later This Year

By Laetitia L. Thompson, Senior Digital Content Editor at the Centre for Accessibility, Australia.

In a recently released announcement, Apple revealed that they will be introducing new accessibility features to their devices, set to be released later this year. 

Scott’s Accessibility Update

Dr Scott Hollier

Accessible Gaming

Many of our children and grandchildren often tell us how much they enjoy gaming online. Whether it’s using a video game console, a powerful Windows PC or casual gaming on a mobile phone or tablet, it has definitely got their attention. Seniors often ask themselves if this is an area where they can join in, and this is even more true of seniors with disabilities.

CSUN Accessibility Conference

Laetitia has bright pink, shoulder length hair and is smiling at the camera.  She's wearing a grey knitted jumper

Exciting Highlights from CSUN, the World’s Largest Assistive Technology Conference.

By Laetitia L. Thompson, Senior Digital Content Editor at the Centre for Accessibility, Australia.

The California State University, Northbridge Centre of Disabilities (CSUN), once again held its annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference this month in California at the Anaheim Marriott.

ChatGPT from an Accessibility Perspective

A female is facing to the right, her image is overlaid with digital symbols and a sphere, with a cityscape at the bottom of the image

This month the hottest topic (especially after our recent Clubs Forum) has to be ChatGPT and how AI and machine learning are quickly becoming more and more relevant in all that we do.  
Nicholas Kapirnas, Junior Digital Accessibility Analyst at the Centre for Accessibility Australia, in which ASCCA Director Dr Scott Hollier is heavily involved, discusses how AI-based chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard AI service can be helpful for people with disabilities.