Six Major Gaming Companies Introduce Accessibility Tags to Help Players Find Suitable Games Six major video game companies have introduced accessibility tags to make it easier for players with disability to find games that meet their needs. On 2 November 2026, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced that Electronic Arts, Google (YouTube Playables), Nintendo of America, Riot Games, Ubisoft and Xbox had begun using tags developed through the Accessible Games Initiative. The initiative includes 24 accessibility tags covering features such as large subtitles, narrated menus, customisable controls and adjustable difficulty levels. Players can find these tags on participating companies’ game pages, online stores and accessibility information pages. This means they can check which accessibility features are available before purchasing or downloading a game. The tags were developed with input from players with disability, accessibility advocates and game developers. Each tag has a set definition and criteria to help ensure the information is consistent across different platforms. The tags are currently available in US English, and participation is voluntary. For Australian gamers with disability, the initiative is a welcome development, particularly as more companies recognise the importance of providing clear accessibility information before people choose a game. To learn more, read the Entertainment Software Association’s announcement about the Accessible Games Initiative accessibility tags. The post Six Major Gaming Companies Introduce Accessibility Tags to Help Players Find Suitable Games appeared first on Centre For Accessibility Australia. https://www.accessibility.org.au/six-major-gaming-companies-introduce-accessibility-tags-to-help-players-find-suitable-games/ #sixmajor #accessibilitytags #games #entertainmentsoftware #softwareassociation #gamesinitiative #electronicarts #riotgames #accessible #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

CFA Australia to Host Free Digital Access Showcase for International Day of People with Disability Centre for Accessibility Australia (CFA Australia) is inviting the community to a free Digital Access Showcase on Thursday, 3 December 2026, to celebrate International Day of People with Disability. Held at Ruth Faulkner Library in Cloverdale, the event will offer an opportunity to learn more about accessible technology and how it can make everyday digital tasks easier for people with disability. Led by CFA Australia’s accessibility specialists, Nicholas Kapirnas and Aarthi Gurunathan, the afternoon will feature live demonstrations of assistive technology, including screen readers and accessibility features available on everyday devices. Nicholas and Aarthi will draw on their professional expertise and lived experience of disability to demonstrate how these technologies work, share practical examples and answer questions from attendees. The event is open to everyone, including people with disability, family members, carers, community organisations and anyone interested in learning more about digital accessibility. Event details: Date: Thursday, 3 December 2026 Time: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm (AWST) Location: Ruth Faulkner Library, Meeting Room 1, 213 Wright Street, Cloverdale Cost: Free, including afternoon tea and refreshments This event is generously supported by the Department of Communities Western Australia and Developmental Disability WA (DDWA), as part of International Day of People with Disability 2026. Attendance is free, and registrations are now open. Register for the Digital Access Showcase on Humanitix. The post CFA Australia to Host Free Digital Access Showcase for International Day of People with Disability appeared first on Centre For Accessibility Australia. https://www.accessibility.org.au/cfa-australia-to-host-free-digital-access-showcase-for-international-day-of-people-with-disability/ #accessshowcase #internationalday #cfaaustralia #hostfree #disability #faulknerlibrary #ruthfaulkner #westernaustralia #accessibilityaustralia #december #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

NVDA Releases New Update with Screen Reader Improvements Australian not-for-profit NV Access has released a new update to its free NVDA screen reader, with improvements to performance, keyboard navigation and touchscreen accessibility. Released on 26 October 2026, NVDA 2026.3 includes several changes aimed at making the screen reader easier and more reliable to use. One of the main improvements addresses delays when navigating applications such as Windows File Explorer. The update also fixes issues that could cause NVDA to freeze when another application stops responding. There are also changes to keyboard navigation, including new shortcuts and context menus that make it easier to adjust NVDA settings. People using touchscreen devices will have access to additional gestures, while braille users will benefit from updated braille tables for several languages. For people who are blind or have low vision, these changes could make everyday tasks such as browsing the internet, reading documents and navigating computer applications easier. NVDA 2026.3 is now available to download for Windows users. For more information, visit the NV Access website to read about the NVDA 2026.3 update. The post NVDA Releases New Update with Screen Reader Improvements appeared first on Centre For Accessibility Australia. https://www.accessibility.org.au/nvda-releases-new-update-with-screen-reader-improvements/ #screenreader #newupdate #nvda #improvements #access #fileexplorer #windowsfile #october #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Paper2Audio Brings Text-to-Speech To Academic Documents Text-to-speech app Paper2Audio is helping people access written information by converting documents, articles and books into audio. The app is designed to read complex documents, including academic research papers and textbooks, while reducing distractions such as headers, footers, citations and footnotes. Unlike traditional text-to-speech tools, Paper2Audio can also provide summaries of visual content, including tables and figures, helping users understand information that may otherwise be difficult to access through audio alone. According to its developers, the app has received positive feedback from people with disability, including people who are blind or with low vision, dyslexia and ADHD. Features include screen reader compatibility, note-taking tools and dyslexia-friendly fonts. Paper2Audio offers a free plan that allows individuals to generate up to 56 hours of audio per week. However, the free plan is intended for personal use only. Professional or commercial use requires a paid subscription. The app may be particularly useful for students, researchers and people who prefer listening to written information rather than reading it. To learn more, visit the Paper2Audio website. The post Paper2Audio Brings Text-to-Speech To Academic Documents appeared first on Centre For Accessibility Australia. https://www.accessibility.org.au/paper2audio-brings-text-to-speech-to-academic-documents/ #documents #adhd #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Meta AI Glasses Help Make Art More Accessible for People Who Are Blind or With Low Vision. A museum in Italy is using AI-powered smart glasses to help visitors who are blind or have low vision experience artworks through audio descriptions. The project, launched on 13 October 2026, is a collaboration between Meta, eyewear manufacturer EssilorLuxottica and Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera art museum. The initiative, called Sensing Art – Discovering Masterpieces Beyond What Meets the Eye, allows visitors to explore eight artworks using Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. When visitors stand in front of an artwork, the glasses recognise it and provide spoken descriptions through speakers built into the frames. These descriptions cover details such as the artwork’s colours, shapes and composition, along with information about the artist and the history of the piece. Visitors can also ask Meta AI questions or use Be My Eyes to connect with volunteers for live visual assistance. The glasses have open-ear speakers, meaning visitors can listen to descriptions while still hearing what is happening around them. People who are blind or have low vision were involved in developing and testing the experience, with input from Italian organisations representing people with vision impairment. The project also builds on the museum’s existing DescriVedendo program, which has provided audio descriptions of artworks for almost a decade. The glasses are available free of charge to eligible visitors through a booking system. Although the project is currently limited to one museum, it could provide a useful example for galleries and museums in Australia looking to improve accessibility for visitors with vision impairment. Audio descriptions are already used in many cultural venues, but the addition of smart glasses could give visitors another way to access information about exhibits without needing to rely on a separate audio guide or another person. For more information, read Meta’s announcement about the AI glasses trial at Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera. The post Meta AI Glasses Help Make Art More Accessible for People Who Are Blind or With Low Vision. appeared first on Centre For Accessibility Australia. https://www.accessibility.org.au/meta-ai-glasses-help-make-art-more-accessible-for-people-who-are-blind-or-with-low-vision/ #meta #blind #low #art #visitors #sensingart #audio #discoveringmasterpieces #ai #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

US Railway Introduces Free Visual Assistance for Passengers Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision A railway network in the United States has launched a new service to help passengers who are blind and have low vision navigate public transport more independently. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which operates trains across the San Francisco Bay Area, began trialling the Aira visual interpreting service on 6 October 2026. The service allows passengers to connect with a trained visual interpreter through the Aira Explorer smartphone app. Using the phone’s camera, interpreters can describe surroundings, read signs and help passengers find their way through railway stations. This includes locating ticket machines, identifying the correct platform, finding station entrances and boarding the right train. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is free for passengers making BART-related journeys during the trial. Unlike traditional assistance services, passengers do not need to book ahead or wait for a staff member to become available. They can connect with an interpreter whenever they need assistance, including while travelling to or from a station. The trial will run until 3 January 2027, with BART collecting feedback from passengers to determine whether the service should continue. The trial raises interesting possibilities for improving public transport accessibility in Australia, particularly for people who are blind or have low vision. While Australian public transport networks provide accessibility features such as audio announcements, tactile ground surface indicators and assistance from staff, navigating unfamiliar stations and transport interchanges can still present challenges. Technology such as Aira could provide another option for passengers who need assistance reading signs, locating facilities or navigating unfamiliar environments. Similar technology is already being explored in Australia. Melbourne’s Metro Trains is trialling an on-demand Auslan interpreting service at selected stations during 2026, allowing passengers who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing to connect with an interpreter through a QR code. While the two services meet different accessibility needs, both show how technology can make public transport more accessible. The BART trial could offer some useful lessons for Australian transport providers, particularly in helping blind and low-vision passengers navigate stations and travel more independently. Read BART’s announcement about its free visual interpreting trial for blind and low-vision passengers. The post US Railway Introduces Free Visual Assistance for Passengers Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision appeared first on Centre For Accessibility Australia. https://www.accessibility.org.au/us-railway-introduces-free-visual-assistance-for-passengers-who-are-blind-or-have-low-vision/ #lowvision #freevisual #blind #railway #bayarea #assistance #unitedstates #bart #aira #arearapid #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

WA Nationals Invite CFA Australia to Discusses Digital Access Opportunities Centre for Accessibility Australia’s (CFA Australia) Digital Access Training and Inclusion Co-Ordinator Laetitia Thompson and Dr. Scott Hollier were invited to meet with Mr. Shane Love MLA and Julie Freeman MLA at Parliament Place to discuss digital accessibility. The discussion focused on the growing role digital access plays in everyday life, particularly as more services, communication, and information are delivered online. The meeting also highlighted the impact of the digital divide in regional Western Australia, where access to technology, reliable internet services, and accessible digital resources can still be limited. During the discussion, CFA Australia shared insights into the accessibility barriers many people in regional communities continue to experience online. The conversation explored the need for stronger recognition of digital inclusion within policy and legislation to help ensure people with disability can fully participate in education, employment, healthcare, government services, and community life. CFA Australia appreciated the invitation to discuss the importance of digital accessibility and inclusion across Western Australia and welcomed the opportunity to raise awareness of these issues with policymakers. The post WA Nationals Invite CFA Australia to Discusses Digital Access Opportunities appeared first on Centre For Accessibility Australia. https://www.accessibility.org.au/wa-nationals-invite-cfa-australia-to-discusses-digital-access-opportunities/ #cfaaustralia #westernaustralia #access #accesstraining #freemanmla #lovemla #juliefreeman #laetitiathompson #parliamentplace #scotthollier #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Dr. Jason White Leads Discussion on Digital Accessibility at W3C Breakfast The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Australia Chapter held a breakfast event in Perth on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, bringing together people working in accessibility, technology, research and web development. Held at Ruth Faulkner Library in Cloverdale, the event featured Dr Jason White, Chair of the W3C Research Questions Task Force, who presented on Challenges at the Technology and Disability Intersection. Dr White spoke about emerging technologies and some of the accessibility challenges that come with them, including the importance of considering the needs of people with disability as technology develops. Following the presentation, Dr White took part in a question-and-answer session with the team at Centre for Accessibility Australia. Nicholas Kapirnas, Senior Trainer & Video Production Lead, asked about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on digital accessibility, while Laetitia Thompson, Digital Access, Training and Inclusion Coordinator, asked about best practice for accessibility on social media. The session gave attendees the chance to ask questions and hear Dr White’s views on some of the accessibility issues affecting digital technology today. The event was hosted by the W3C Australia Chapter, with support from Centre for Accessibility Australia and GrackleDocs. The event was also supported by Centre for Accessibility Australia’s Systemic Advocacy grant, provided by the Department of Communities Western Australia. The post Dr. Jason White Leads Discussion on Digital Accessibility at W3C Breakfast appeared first on Centre For Accessibility Australia. https://www.accessibility.org.au/dr-jason-white-leads-discussion-on-digital-accessibility-at-w3c-breakfast/ #jasonwhite #accessibilityaustralia #productionlead #breakfast #worldwide #technology #webconsortium #taskforce #faulknerlibrary #ruthfaulkner #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Orbit Player Adds Amazon Alexa for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision Assistive technology company Orbit Research has announced that Amazon Alexa is now available on its Orbit Player, giving people who are blind or have low vision another way to access books, information and entertainment. Announced on 10 October 2026, the new feature allows users to interact with Alexa through voice commands or the Orbit Player’s existing tactile buttons. The Orbit Player is a portable book, allowing users to listen to audiobooks, music and other digital content using physical buttons rather than relying on a touchscreen. With Alexa now included, users can ask questions, listen to news, play music and podcasts, and access services such as Audible and Kindle. Orbit Research has integrated the Android version of Alexa into the device, making it accessible through its built-in screen reader and button-based controls. This means users can navigate Alexa without needing to use a touchscreen. The new feature was developed in collaboration with the Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC) at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, India. Venkatesh Chari, President and CEO of Orbit Research, said the company wanted the Orbit Player to offer more than just access to books and media. The update began rolling out to existing Orbit Player users on 12 October 2026 through a wireless software update. Orbit Research has advised that Alexa is a third-party application and that the company does not provide technical support for the service. For more information, read the Orbit Research announcement about Amazon Alexa coming to the Orbit Player. The post Orbit Player Adds Amazon Alexa for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision appeared first on Centre For Accessibility Australia. https://www.accessibility.org.au/orbit-player-adds-amazon-alexa-for-people-who-are-blind-or-have-low-vision/ #orbitplayer #amazonalexa #lowvision #blind #october #xavier #visuallychallenged #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Ngala Donates More Than 40 Laptops to Support Digital Access for People with Disability Centre for Accessibility Australia (CFA Australia) has received a generous donation of more than 40 laptops from Ngala, helping more people with disability access the technology they need for work, study and everyday life. Ngala is a Western Australian not-for-profit organisation that supports children and families through parenting services, early childhood programs and family support. The laptops will be distributed through CFA Australia’s Accessible Tech for All program, which provides refurbished laptops to people with disability who may otherwise struggle to afford their own computer. For many people, having access to a computer is essential for everyday activities such as applying for jobs, studying, accessing online services and keeping in touch with family and friends. However, the cost of technology can make these opportunities difficult to access. Ngala’s donation will help CFA Australia continue to address this barrier, giving older laptops a second life while supporting people with disability to participate more fully in the digital world. Michelle Dillon, CEO of Ngala, welcomed the opportunity to support the program. “Ngala were delighted to donate our older laptops to the program. It’s a piece of equipment we take for granted but that provides access to so many important opportunities. Knowing they will be supporting people in our community is a wonderful outcome.” We would like to thank Ngala for their generous donation and support of our Accessible Tech for All program. Their contribution will help more people with disability access essential technology. Donations like these play an important role in keeping the program running. By passing on laptops that are no longer needed, organisations can help reduce electronic waste while providing valuable technology to people who need it. CFA Australia welcomes laptop donations from businesses and organisations interested in supporting the program. To learn more about the program, including how to donate laptops or apply for one, visit the Accessible Tech for All page on the CFA Australia website. The post Ngala Donates More Than 40 Laptops to Support Digital Access for People with Disability appeared first on Centre For Accessibility Australia. https://www.accessibility.org.au/ngala-donates-more-than-40-laptops-to-support-digital-access-for-people-with-disability/