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July 29, 2021 — In addition to this week's NewsBreaks article and the monthly NewsLink Spotlight, Information Today, Inc. (ITI) offers Weekly News Digests that feature recent product news and company announcements. Watch for additional coverage to appear in the next print issue of Information Today. For other up-to-the-minute news, check out ITI’s Twitter account: @ITINewsBreaks. CLICK HERE to view more Weekly News Digest items.

The U.K.'s 'National Disability Strategy: Tech Is the Opportunity, Collaboration Its Realisation' by Robert McLaren

[On July 28,] the [U.K.] Government published its National Disability Strategy. Their aim in the strategy is to unlock opportunity and improve disabled peoples’ lives through initiatives and reforms across all areas of government—from transport, to jobs, to the courts, and more.

These are long-standing challenges but there are also new opportunities before us: one that stands out is the development and wide availability of smart technology. When we get it right, technology can be used to remove barriers and increase opportunity for disabled people—and bring the benefits of accessibility to all. I’m severely dyslexic myself and wouldn’t have attempted to write this article without the use of both everyday tools like spellcheck and more specialised literacy software. The mainstreaming of digital technology can create a platform, allowing each user to personalise tools to suit their own accessibility needs.

It’s clear from the National Disability Strategy that policymakers are ready to grasp the tech opportunity with both hands. Look across the strategy, and technology is a key factor in plans for innovation, employment, services and more. The flagship announcement is to explore the case for ‘A world-leading Centre for Assistive and Accessible Technology’.

For more information, read the blog post.