Podcasts about cvaa

We're back in the same room after a year online. Consequently, we're a little giddy but get ourselves on track and discuss the CVAA strategy update that we were attending in that London. We ask the question that many prospective adopters ask, RAA or VAA? Then we unpick adopter sufficiency, PP+, the three year rule and more. 

Max Holder, MSN, RN, CRNI, NE-BC, VA, BC and Karen Laforet, RN, MCISc, CCHN(C), VA-BC, CVAA(c) discuss how to identify sources of contamination which increase the risks of catheter bloodstream infection. They will address the clinical challenges associated with VAD maintenance that can impact outcomes and review the recommended guidelines, practices and evidence-based interventions for-MH VAD maintenance to aid with the reduction of BSI risk. They will also identify strategies for prevention of VA related bloodstream infection in patients.

Episode Description It is time for Congress to update the accessible video and communications requirements of the CVAA. In the 117th Congress, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Representative Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA-18) introduced the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act of 2022 (S. 5121 & H.R. 9333). The CVTA reaffirms our nation's commitment to accessible communications and video technologies for people who are blind, low vision, and Deafblind. Once passed, this legislation will: Improve and expand audio description standards for television programming and online video streaming platforms to ensure that people with disabilities have equitable access to the wide range of programming available to the general public; Update current requirements to ensure viewers can easily activate and select preferred settings for audio description on their video programming devices, such as televisions, smart phones, laptops, and tablets; Require the Federal Communications Commission to ensure that all video conferencing services, including those used for telehealth, distance learning, and social and civic engagement, are accessible to people with disabilities, including people who are blind, low vision, and Deafblind; and, Empower the FCC to ensure accessibility regulations keep pace with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and augmented or virtual reality platforms. Learn more about this ACB 2023 Legislative Imperative. Find out more at https://acb-advocacy-update.pinecast.co

In this special short podcast Al went up to the House of Lords for the official release of the CVAA's report "A home for me? - A comparative review of the value of different forms of permanence for children – Adoption, SGOs and Fostering" You can read it Here As always if you've experience of adoption, fostering or special guardianship from any perspective personal or professional and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook or twitter or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com Listen/subscribe on iTunes here Spotify here Google here

Judy and Blake take a look at 2021 and review the exciting changes and developments for AVA's educational offerings from podcasts, webinars, live streaming, and so much more. Jocelyn Hill MN, RN, CVAA(c), VA-BC shares the lessons learned as AVA President through the pandemic. Tonja Stevens BSN, RN, VA-BC shares her passion for vascular access and her vision for the upcoming term as President. These are exciting, challenging, and promising times ahead.Check out the latest episode on any of your favorite podcast platforms. For the latest discussion on vascular access, please like and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn! Enjoy the show!0:00 Welcome0:15 Judy and Blake talk about the year in AVA Education4:45 Jocelyn Hill shares her experiences as President9:45 Tonja Stevens discuss her vision and goals as the oncoming President26:40 OutroSupport the show (https://www.avainfo.org/donations/donate.asp?id=12834)

AVA Board of Directors President Jocelyn Hill MN, RN, CVAA(c), VA-BC discusses the AVA Scientific Meeting and the decision to go virtual during the pandemic. Dr. Lorelle Wuerz PhD, MSN, RN, VA-BC, NEA-BC joins us to talk about recent published research on midline catheters and their clinical use to draw blood specimens. As a nursing leader Dr. Wuerz discusses strategies on how to integrate changes and advances in clinical practice into policy and procedures. A huge thanks to BD for sponsoring this episode of the ISAVE That Podcast. Check out the latest episode on any of your favorite podcast platforms. For the latest discussion on vascular access, please like and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn! Enjoy the show!0:00 Intro0:29 Jocelyn Hill5:56 A word from BD6:28 Dr. Lorelle Wuerz23:39 A word from BD24:49 Dr. Lorelle Wuerz28:40 Outro and Disclaimer31:10 EndSupport the show (https://www.avainfo.org/donations/donate.asp?id=12834)

Maria Victoria Diaz PhD, an Electrical Engineer left Columbia to help "Flip the Script" not only on Audio Description but access in general for native Spanish speaking people. Hear all about Access 4 All - a solution assuring Audio Description can be shared across platforms| Go CC - providing access for the Deaf Blind to content and emergency information... Subscribe wherever you get podcasts! Transcripts & more at www.ReidMyMind.com Follow @tsreid on Twitter

 Maggie joined the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies in November 2018. Previously, she was Chief Executive of Foundation, an organisation dedicated to ending social exclusion which works with over 4000 of the most disadvantaged adults, young people and families across the North of England, providing resources and opportunities for everyone to achieve and belong no matter their personal circumstances.Before Foundation, Maggie was Chief Executive of Children England, the umbrella body for children's charities. She has over 25 years' experience within the statutory and voluntary sectors, including as Assistant Programme Director for England at Save the Children, where she led work on children's rights and participation; establishing the Leeds Health For All (Healthy City) Partnership to tackle poverty, environmental and health inequalities; and working for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation where she led research and practice development work on governance, children and young people's services and the future of the voluntary sector.Maggie is Vice Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund's England Committee and is Chair of the Youth Association; Growing Yorkshire's Future.https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-jones-341ab616/CVAA is first and foremost a membership organisation. Their membership is made up of 27 voluntary adoption agencies (VAAs) across the four nations of the UK, along with 2 associate members (adoption support agencies) and a number of subscribers.They represent our members and advocate for them in national forums. They bring member agencies together to collaborate, and we support them to work in partnership with local authorities (LAs) and regional adoption agencies (RAAs). They draw on our members' vast experience of adoption to facilitate the sharing of best practice across the adoption system. They create space for professionals in the voluntary adoption sector to network and learn from one another.Here are the links that Maggie refers to in the interview:www.youcanadopt.co.uk here you can find contact details for all adoption agencies in England, and they can help with access to the Adoption Support Fundwww.cvaa.org.uk for details of Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish voluntary adoption agencies, as well as English oneshttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/adoption-support-fund-asf for details about the fund, eligibility and evaluation reportshttps://childrenssocialcare.independent-review.uk/ site for the Care review taking place in England. There will be opportunities to comment on papers and feed into discussions as the review progressesASGLB: https://coram-i.org.uk/asglb/ this is the site for the Adoption and Special Guardian leadership Board, which brings together all the national organistions with an interest in adoption. They have  reference groups of adopters and special guardians.https://appgap.info/strengthening-families-inquiry. This is the link for the current enquiry into aspects of adoption being undertaken by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Adoption and Permanence.https://twitter.com/CVAA_UK

Tuesday Topics will welcome Gerard Williams who will be talking about his role at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a 504 officer. He will also be talking about the initiative being undertaken by the FCC to create more broadband access. He is not an attorney and does not have the authority to answer legal questions, for the most part. I am looking forward to seeing what a 504 officer does and how what he does relates to people who are blind, have low vision or are blind with secondary disabilities such as hearing impairments. During the second hour, we will talk about some pending FCC issues. There is currently opportunity to comment on where we are with the CVAA which passed in 2010. What kind of changes is it realistic for us to look for with the act. The FCC is interested in knowing what regulations we would like to see changed. Congress would need to change the law if we want to make changes that go beyond the parameters of the current law. How well has emergency communications worked for us during the pandemic? Both the NFB and ACB strongly support the need for the use of the SAP (secondary Audio Program) channel for communicating with people who are blind or have low vision during times of emergency. Was this facility used much during the pandemic in your area? Did you feel that there was a lot of conformation that was being communicated visually about the pandemic that was not being made available to people who are blind or have low vision? We will explore these and other audio description questions during our second hour! Find out more at https://acb-tuesday-topics.pinecast.co

Episode Description Join us for this week’s ACB Advocacy Update with special guest host Tony Stephens, ACB’s Director of Development. Tony sits down with ACB’s Director of Advocacy & Governmental Affairs, Clark Rachfal, to talk with Audio Description Project (ADP) Committee Co-Chair Carl Richardson, and to introduce Jo Lynn Bailey-Page, who is now on staff with ACB coordinating the Audio Description Project. The episode kicks off Earth Day with a conversation on the UniDescription Project, which is a partnership between ACB, the University of Hawaii and the National Parks Service. We then dive into what’s hot with audio description in streaming media and get a preview of what is in store for audio description at this summer’s convention. There’s still time to nominate your favorite audio described program for this year’s ADP Awards. Visit https://acb.org/2021-adp-awards-nominations for details. The FCC is also seeking comments on issues to explore around the CVAA. Tune in for more details, and email advocacy@acb.org for more information on how you can provide comments to the FCC.

Today, Brian and Carl sit down with Clark Rachfal, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs for the American Council of the Blind. They discuss the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) in detail, its importance to audio description, and more. They discuss where the CVAA is today, how to file comments with the FCC on the CVAA, and the need to advocate for a new and modernized CVAA in the future. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. Show Topics Links: Summary of CVAA: Top five nonbroadcast networks currently subject to the audio description requirements are USA Network, HGTV, TBS, Discovery, and History. Broadcast channels subject to the requirement are ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. FCC Notice for Comments: American Council of the Blind Contact for CVAA Related Questions:

Today, Brian and Carl sit down with Clark Rachfal, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs for the American Council of the Blind. They discuss the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) in detail, its importance to audio description, and more. They discuss where the CVAA is today, how to file comments with the FCC on the CVAA, and the need to advocate for a new and modernized CVAA in the future. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. Show Topics Links: Summary of CVAA: Top five nonbroadcast networks currently subject to the audio description requirements are USA Network, HGTV, TBS, Discovery, and History. Broadcast channels subject to the requirement are ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. FCC Notice for Comments: American Council of the Blind Contact for CVAA Related Questions:

Today, Brian and Carl sit down with Clark Rachfal, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs for the American Council of the Blind. They discuss the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) in detail, its importance to audio description, and more. They discuss where the CVAA is today, how to file comments with the FCC on the CVAA, and the need to advocate for a new and modernized CVAA in the future. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. Show Topics Links: Summary of CVAA: Top five nonbroadcast networks currently subject to the audio description requirements are USA Network, HGTV, TBS, Discovery, and History. Broadcast channels subject to the requirement are ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. FCC Notice for Comments: American Council of the Blind Contact for CVAA Related Questions:

Dr. Joel Snyder explores the history and future of audio description. How did audio description start? Who did it? Why has closed captioning become ubiquitous while audio description has to fight for hours? It's ten years since the CVAA was passed; the anniversary is this month! Should we push for changes? There are very few people who have the comprehensive knowledge of audio description that is possessed by the ACB Director of the Audio Description Project, Joel Snyder.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Clark discuss 10 years of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA). ACB member Jesse Acosta shares his personal story and advocacy which helped lead to the passage of the CVAA, and Carl Richardson, co-Chair of the ACB Audio Description Project, shares where accessibility and digital inclusion needs to go in the future. In addition to this podcast, please enjoy this video message from Stevie Wonder on the passage of the CVAA – https://youtu.be/DiaoBxu-FrA

The ISAVE That Podcast returns from its summer hiatus with a bang! AVA welcomes Laura Krick, Vice President of Clinical and Market Development at Interrad Medical, Inc. and Mark Rowe, MNSc, RNP, VA-BC™, the vascular access team leader at the University of Arkansas, for a discussion on the SecurAcath subcutaneous securement device. How does SecurAcath impact patient safety? We find out, with new clinical evidence provided by Mark and his team in a recent publication.AVA Director of Communications and Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of the Association for Vascular Access Eric Seger also sits down with 2020 AVA at Your Fingertips D-TEAM Chair Michele Cox, RN, CCRN, VA-BC™ and 2020 AVA President-Elect Jocelyn Grecia Hill, MN, RN, CVAA, VA-BC™ to learn about the decision-making process behind moving from an in-person scientific meeting to a virtual one that opens at the end of October.0:00 Information from episode sponsor Interrad Medical, Inc.0:29 Judy and Eric interview Laura and Mark about SecurAcath and the impact it has on preventing Central Line Bloodstream Infections21:37 Another word from episode sponsor Interrad Medical Inc.22:26 Eric's discussion with Jocelyn and Michele about the decision to move the 2020 AVA Scientific Meeting from an in-person event to a virtual meeting, AVA at Your FingertipsSupport the show (https://www.avainfo.org/donations/donate.asp?id=12834)

In this episode, Brian and Carl speak with Will Schell from the Federal Communications Commission. They discuss the landmark legislation the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) which mandates audio description for  the broadcast and cable networks. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture this team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. To learn more about audio description, please visit the Audio Description Project’s website at Show notes and Links: Federal Communications Commission – 21stCentury Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)-      

In this episode, Brian and Carl speak with Will Schell from the Federal Communications Commission. They discuss the landmark legislation the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) which mandates audio description for  the broadcast and cable networks. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture this team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. To learn more about audio description, please visit the Audio Description Project's website at Show notes and Links: Federal Communications Commission – 21stCentury Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)-      

In this episode, Brian and Carl speak with Will Schell from the Federal Communications Commission. They discuss the landmark legislation the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) which mandates audio description for  the broadcast and cable networks. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture this team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. To learn more about audio description, please visit the Audio Description Project’s website at Show notes and Links: Federal Communications Commission – 21stCentury Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)-      

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, please enjoy this Audio Description Project (ADP) panel presentation from the 2020 ACB virtual conference and convention. Clark Rachfal and Claire Stanley were joined by Suzy Rosen Singleton and Will Schell from the Federal Communications Commission’s Disability Rights Office, and Carl Richardson, ADP Steering Committee co-Chair, to discuss the ten years of progress made by the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility (CVAA) Act, what the CVAA law and regulations cover, and where the CVAA may be improved in the future.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, please enjoy this Audio Description Project (ADP) panel presentation from the 2020 ACB virtual conference and convention. Clark Rachfal and Claire Stanley were joined by Suzy Rosen Singleton and Will Schell from the Federal Communications Commission’s Disability Rights Office, and Carl Richardson, ADP Steering Committee co-Chair, to discuss the ten years of progress made by the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility (CVAA) Act, what the CVAA law and regulations cover, and where the CVAA may be improved in the future.

Tuesday, July 7 9:30a.m.: ACB Welcome Show 10:00a.m.: Invocation: Deb Trevino, Newark, DE Pledge of Allegiance: JPMorgan Chase Fellows: Koni Sims, Sioux Falls, SD; and Wanda Denise Williford, Trenton, NJ 10:10a.m.: ACB Business: ACB Sponsor Recognitions: Margarine Beaman, Advertising and Sponsorship Coordinator, Austin, TX Diamond Sponsor Presentation: JPMorgan Chase Emerald Sponsor Presentation: Charter Communications, Petr Kucheryavyy, Sr. Manager Accessibility Center of Excellence, Denver, CO ACB Angel Presentations: Joel Bauer (1943 – 2018), Missouri Dee Wilmot Youngblut Clayton (1937 – 2020), North Carolina Presiding Officer: Ray Campbell, Second Vice President, Glen Ellyn, IL 10:45a.m.: Information, Referral and Peer Support Program: Claire Stanley, Advocacy and Outreach Specialist, Alexandria, VA 11:10a.m.: Scholarship Presentations: Carmen Guzman, Celebration, FL, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL (R. I. Gillette, Gladys C. Anderson and Karen D. Carsel Scholarship) Nicolas Spohn, Manheim, PA, Penn State, Harrisburg, Middletown, PA (Kelly Cannon and Paul and Ellen Ruckes Scholarship) Traci Jones, Longmont CO, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Washington, DC (Norma Schecter and Doctor Duane Buckley Scholarship) Thandra Ritchie, Muskatine, IA, Saint Ambrose University, Davenport, IA (John Hebner Scholarship) 11:30a.m.: Break 11:45a.m.: American Foundation for the Blind: Kirk Adams, President and CEO, Arlington, VA 12:05p.m.: Audio/Video Presentation: Ten Years of the CVAA, What's Next for People Who are Blind, Deaf, and Deafblind for Accessing Telecommunications and Audio Description: U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Audio Description Project Achievement Awards and Update: Kim Charlson, ADP Co-Chair, Watertown, MA; Carl Richardson, ADP Co-Chair, Boston, MA; Jeff Thom, ADP Awards Committee Chair, Sacramento, CA; and Joel Snyder, Director, Audio Description Project, Takoma Park, MD 12:35p.m.: Foundation Fighting Blindness: Benjamin Shaberman, Senior Director of Scientific Outreach, Columbia, MD 12:50p.m.: Door Prizes and Announcements

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day by speaking with Jeff Bishop, ACB Board Member, ACB Information Access Committee Chair, and all around nice guy. Clark and Jeff discuss how the landscape of accessible technology has changed over the past ten years with the passage of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA). Not only the law that re-instated audio description requirements, the CVAA fostered accessibility requirements for communications hardware and software that is enabling people who are blind to work remotely from home, participate in ACB community events, and produce the first of it’s kind, ACB Virtual Conference and Convention! Registration for the 2020 ACB Virtual Conference and Convention opens today, May 21, for ACB members, and May 28, for the general public; to learn more visit – www.acbconvention.org. To checkout the wide variety of ACB Community Events, visit – www.acb.org/acb-community-conference-calls.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day by speaking with Jeff Bishop, ACB Board Member, ACB Information Access Committee Chair, and all around nice guy. Clark and Jeff discuss how the landscape of accessible technology has changed over the past ten years with the passage of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA). Not only the law that re-instated audio description requirements, the CVAA fostered accessibility requirements for communications hardware and software that is enabling people who are blind to work remotely from home, participate in ACB community events, and produce the first of it’s kind, ACB Virtual Conference and Convention! Registration for the 2020 ACB Virtual Conference and Convention opens today, May 21, for ACB members, and May 28, for the general public; to learn more visit – www.acbconvention.org. To checkout the wide variety of ACB Community Events, visit – www.acb.org/acb-community-conference-calls.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day by speaking with Jeff Bishop, ACB Board Member, ACB Information Access Committee Chair, and all around nice guy. Clark and Jeff discuss how the landscape of accessible technology has changed over the past ten years with the passage of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA). Not only the law that re-instated audio description requirements, the CVAA fostered accessibility requirements for communications hardware and software that is enabling people who are blind to work remotely from home, participate in ACB community events, and produce the first of it’s kind, ACB Virtual Conference and Convention! Registration for the 2020 ACB Virtual Conference and Convention opens today, May 21, for ACB members, and May 28, for the general public; to learn more visit – www.acbconvention.org. To checkout the wide variety of ACB Community Events, visit – www.acb.org/acb-community-conference-calls.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day by speaking with Jeff Bishop, ACB Board Member, ACB Information Access Committee Chair, and all around nice guy. Clark and Jeff discuss how the landscape of accessible technology has changed over the past ten years with the passage of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA). Not only the law that re-instated audio description requirements, the CVAA fostered accessibility requirements for communications hardware and software that is enabling people who are blind to work remotely from home, participate in ACB community events, and produce the first of it’s kind, ACB Virtual Conference and Convention! Registration for the 2020 ACB Virtual Conference and Convention opens today, May 21, for ACB members, and May 28, for the general public; to learn more visit – www.acbconvention.org. To checkout the wide variety of ACB Community Events, visit – www.acb.org/acb-community-conference-calls.

It's Part One of the Vein of Contention episode of the ISAVE That Podcast! On Season 2, Episode 10, sponsored by Velano Vascular, Dr. Jack LeDonne leads a panel of experts in answering tough questions on PIV placement and more. Here's the plan:0:00-0:27 A word from Episode 10 sponsor Velano Vascular.0:40-3:43 Ramzy Nasrallah and Dr. LeDonne provide a quick intro to the episode and its genesis. Why are we here?3:44-4:29 Another message from Episode 10 sponsor Velano Vascular.4:30-41:21 We welcome our panel of experts into the conversation: Jocelyn Hill, MN, RN, CVAA(c), Jon Bell, RN, MSN, VA-BC™, Sheila Hale, RN, MSN, CRNI®, VA-BC™, Judy Thompson, MSNEd., RN, VA-BC™, Peter Carr, PhD, MMedSc, BSc, H Dip A&E Nurs, Dip HE Nurs, and Nicole Marsh, BN join to dissect the intricacies of this subject.45:22-46:46 Upcoming AVA network events.Support the show (https://www.avainfo.org/donations/donate.asp?id=12834)

In this episode your Nice Hosts talk all about two important aspects of game design that can help more people play your games- Localization Systems and Accessibility! Stephen drives in the snow, Martha gets her nails done and Mark tries to get the baby to go to sleep.NOTE: The CVAA law that Martha talks a lot about in this episode applies -only- to chat systems in games not to game play. She didn't realize this at the time of recording- but all the things we talk about are still things to strive for in every part of your game!Photo credit: Microsoft Localization Systems 0:07:03 Mark LaCroixProductionProgrammingUI / UX“What languages to localize your game into?” - Jacob Stempniewicz, Game Developer Accessibility 0:46:30 Martha MegarryAccessibilityGame Design“About CVAA: US legislation affecting communications functionality in games, ne… - IGDA Game Access SIG“CVAA for Fostering Innovation and Change” - Sarah Horton, The Paciello Group“2018's Accessibility Advances” - Ian Hamilton, Game DeveloperAble GamersGame Accessibility"What It's Like To Play Games When You're Colorblind” - Cameron Gidari, KotakuXbox Adaptive Controller“Designing for Disabilities” Video Series - Mark Brown, Game Maker's ToolkitWikipediaKaren Stevens, EA Sports Accessibility Lead

In this episode your Nice Hosts talk all about two important aspects of game design that can help more people play your games- Localization Systems and Accessibility! Stephen drives in the snow, Martha gets her nails done and Mark tries to get the baby to go to sleep. NOTE: The CVAA law that Martha talks a lot about in this episode applies -only- to chat systems in games not to game play. She didn't realize this at the time of recording- but all the things we talk about are still things to strive for in every part of your game! Photo credit: Microsoft Localization Systems 0:07:03 Mark LaCroix Category Production Programming UI / UX “What languages to localize your game into?” - Jacob Stempniewicz , Gamasutra Publication Accessibility 0:46:30 Martha Megarry Category Accessibility Game Design “About CVAA: US legislation affecting communications functionality in games, ne… - IGDA Game Access SIG “CVAA for Fostering Innovation and Change” - Sarah Horton , The Paciello Group “2018's Accessibility Advances” - Ian Hamilton , Gamasutra Publication Able Gamers Game Accessibility "What It's Like To Play Games When You're Colorblind” - Cameron Gidari , Kotaku Xbox Adaptive Controller “Designing for Disabilities” Video Series - Mark Brown , Game Maker’s Toolkit Wikipedia Karen Stevens, EA Sports Accessibility Lead

Hello and welcome to Day in Washington, your disability policy podcast. I’m your host Day Al-Mohamed working to make sure you stay informed.  This is your Disability Report for the week of January 7, 2019. Healthcare The Missouri Legislative session starts on January 9. Legislation has been pre-filed for the upcoming session that would expand insurance coverage for developmentally disabled individuals. Therapy for most developmental disabilities can cost up to $100 an hour with individuals sometimes needing multiple sessions a week; sometimes for months or even years. Think about speech therapy or occupational therapy or physical therapy…these are just not one-and-done types of activities. And Insurance plans tend to cap coverage at 20 visits. To make up for that, some families are trying to pay out of pocket and that can total up to more than $15,000 a year. In 2010, Missouri lawmakers passed a law that provided insurance coverage for therapy for those on the Autism spectrum. The new bill expands that coverage to include those with any developmental disability so would cover conditions such as cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome. https://www.missourinet.com/2019/01/02/missouri-group-backs-legislation-to-cover-kids-developmental-disabilities/ Education Mental Health and Schools. Over and over we are told that mental health is as critical as physical health. Nowhere is this as critical as in our school systems. Federal funding in Title IV, Part A of the Every School Succeeds Act (ESSA) passed in 2015 includes a flexible block grant program known as Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (SSAEG). These grants would cover activities in three areas: Programs such as college and career counseling, STEM, arts, civics and International Baccalaureate/Advanced Placement. Mental health, drug and violence prevention, training on trauma-informed practices, and health and physical education. Supporting the effective use of technology that is backed by professional development, blended learning and ed tech devices Roland-Story students in Iowa will now have access to mental health services with Okerberg and Associates, which will provide the services to the district for a 22-week period. The school board also voted to request funds for at-risk and dropout prevention. Roland-Story is requesting $246,000 from the state to support this program. What is sad to me is that Roland-Story has requested these funds for over a decade. https://www.amestrib.com/news/20190101/roland-story-approves-agreement-for-mental-health-services Technology As a part of the CVAA (the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010) starting from January 1, 2019, any video and computer games in the US must ensure they are accessible to people with disabilities in regards to communications. Failure to comply will allow complaints to be made to the FCC and possible fines. The International Game Developers Association has just put out some information about how games are affected based on their development progress. In addition to making sure that games are accessible those with disabilities, the creation of the game must have these conditions in mind early in development and involve disabled people in the design or testing process. Should the game not meet the standards and fail to comply, if a customer complains to the Federal Communications Commission or FCC, then it is possible the developer may be fined. (Of course not all games can be made fully accessible, but the FCC’s job is to mediate and look into efforts to fix the issues). https://www.dualshockers.com/cvaa-2019-games-to-be-made-accessible-for-disabilities/ Housing Since the 1970s, in return for access to federal flood insurance, the Federal government requires that all buildings and homes being constructed (or renovated) near water, be built at least as high as 100-year flood levels. In the last few years we’ve been seeing more hurricanes ...

A talk at the 2018 Gaming Accessibility Conference by Karen Petlz Strauss from the Federal Communications Commission.

CVAA Reports to Congress on Accessibility GapsThe CVAA requires the Commission to take various steps to ensure that people with disabilities have access to emerging communications technologies in the 21st Century. The CVAA also requires the Commission to submit a report to Congress every two years on the level of compliance with the CVAA’s communications accessibility obligations, the extent to which accessibility barriers still exist to new communications technologies, and related matter.

CVAA Reports to Congress on Accessibility Gaps The CVAA requires the Commission to take various steps to ensure that people with disabilities have access to emerging communications technologies in the 21st Century. The CVAA also requires the Commission to submit a report to Congress every two years on the level of compliance with the CVAA’s communications accessibility obligations, the extent to which accessibility barriers still exist to new communications technologies, and related matter.

If you work in media broadcasting or telecommunications you have probably heard of the U.S. legislation called CVAA, shorthand for the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. This law, signed by President Obama in October 2010, seeks to ensure that accessibility requirements keep pace with advances in communication technologies.