As the year comes to a close, I want to reflect on an incredible journey in 2024 filled with meaningful projects, inspiring collaborations, and opportunities to push the boundaries of accessibility, inclusion, and innovation.

One of the highlights was visiting Google’s Accessibility Discovery Center in London with Björn Lubetzki. Thanks to the European Disability Forum for funding this trip, which allowed Bridge the Gap to explore innovative assistive technologies and engage in inspiring discussions on the future of accessibility.

Presenting *Crip Sensorama* with Puneet Jain at the Ars Electronica Festival was a moment to rethink accessibility through creativity and technology. Collaborating with the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK) on the XR project *Probing XR’s Futures* opened exciting new possibilities for exploring interaction paradigms and narratives around disability.

At TEDNext 2024, I explored deeper conversations around Disability Culture, accessibility, and innovation. In November, I was honored to hold a workshop on digitalisation at *Kommune Inklusiv*, a conference by Aktion Mensch. Discussions there emphasized the need for digital accessibility to be integral from the start.

Joining the European Network on Independent Living for the Freedom Drive in Brussels and engaging in events like *Praxiszeit Personal* and *LiebesLeben* were powerful opportunities to share ideas, learn, and connect.

2024 has been a year of growth and collaboration, fueled by the passion of incredible individuals and organizations. Thank you to everyone who supported and shared this journey. Together, we’re breaking barriers and shaping a brighter, more inclusive future.

#Accessibility #Inclusion #Innovation #DisabilityRights #TEDNext #AktionMensch #DigitalAccessibility #XR #DisabilityCulture #TechnologyForGood #InclusionMatters #HappyNewYear

Meet the 2024 MacArthur Fellows

Alice Wong | 2024 MacArthur Fellow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yMnIzGTCRQ #Disability #DisabilityCulture

Alice Wong | 2024 MacArthur Fellow

YouTube
Times are fucking tough. Come celebrate Crip Culture and disabled liberation. The Superfest Disability Film Festival has been going on for 30 years. This will be my 4th year attending remotely. The documentaries are by and for disabled folx. Watch stories about disabled art, love, activism, and struggle. Fuck hollywood ableist troupe actors, and abled producers. Fuck racist yt mainstream disability representation. Many of the documentaries follow the principles of DJ which centers Black, Native, 2slgbtqia+ disabled stories, and disabled folx of the global majority. You can also watch some of the past years films online. Happy watching, and celebrating a joint love of our diverse disabled art, culture, and community. http://superfestfilm.org/2024-films #disabled #DisabilityJustice #queer #film #disabilityculture #DisabledArt #cripculture #liberation #AntiAbleism #disabled #crip #disabledfilmmakers #documantary #covid #MaskUp
2024 Superfest Films — Superfest

Superfest 2024 Film Line-up

Superfest
Can we agree to stop demonizing disabled folx who have ID, and are MAD? Anti-maskers are supporting eugenics period. Pro-genocidal folx are racist fucking pieces of shit who celebrate mass murder period. Stop using ableist language to support fascist ideologies. Disability culture must be celebrated. Yes, including those of us who have ID and/or identify as MAD. #ableism #eugenics #genocide #disabled #cripjoy #disabilityculture #MaskUp

For many who are suffering with prolonged grief, the holidays can be a time to reflect and find meaning in loss
By Mandy Doria: Complete Post through this link…

The holiday season is meant to be filled with joy, connection and celebration of rituals. Many people, however, are starkl
https://disabilitycosmos.blog/2024/01/10/for-many-who-are-suffering-with-prolonged-grief-the-holidays-can-be-a-time-to-reflect-and-find-meaning-in-loss/
#DisabilityCulture #DisasterAndDisability #Recovery

For many who are suffering with prolonged grief, the holidays can be a time to reflect and find meaning in loss

By Mandy Doria: Complete Post through this link… The holiday season is meant to be filled with joy, connection and celebration of rituals. Many people, however, are starkly reminded of their grief …

Disability Cosmos Daily

More than 13 million people lost Medicaid coverage this year, with Texas an epicenter of the ‘unwinding’
By Inyoung Choi, Arleen Aguasvivas and Zinhle Essamuah: Complete Post through this link…

Erica Olenski, a single mother of three in M
https://disabilitycosmos.blog/2024/01/10/more-than-13-million-people-lost-medicaid-coverage-this-year-with-texas-an-epicenter-of-the-unwinding/
#DisabilityCulture #DisabilityResistence #HealthAndDisability #HealthPolicy #PainManagement #Recovery

More than 13 million people lost Medicaid coverage this year, with Texas an epicenter of the ‘unwinding’

By Inyoung Choi, Arleen Aguasvivas and Zinhle Essamuah: Complete Post through this link… Erica Olenski, a single mother of three in McKinney, Texas, juggles the responsibilities of parenthood and a…

Disability Cosmos Daily

A Model for Disability Justice in Emergency Shelters
BY MARIANNE DHENIN: Complete Post through this link…

In the face of the escalating climate crisis, a New Jersey organization has created a replicable shelter simulation model that makes temporary housing more inclusive for disabled people.

Following Hurricane
https://disabilitycosmos.blog/2024/01/09/a-model-for-disability-justice-in-emergency-shelters/
#AT #DisabilityCulture #DisabilityResistence #DisasterAndDisability #Recovery

A Model for Disability Justice in Emergency Shelters

BY MARIANNE DHENIN: Complete Post through this link… In the face of the escalating climate crisis, a New Jersey organization has created a replicable shelter simulation model that makes temporary h…

Disability Cosmos Daily

Blind Veterans can now read decision letters
By VA Office of Information and Technology: Complete Post through this link…

For the first time ever, blind Veterans can now read their VA benefits decision letters inside the VA Health and Benefits mobile app. This new feature is p
https://disabilitycosmos.blog/2024/01/09/blind-veterans-can-now-read-decision-letters/
#AT #DisabilityCulture #DisasterAndDisability #EmploymentAndAT #HealthAndDisability #PainManagement #Recovery #RecreationAT

Blind Veterans can now read decision letters

By VA Office of Information and Technology: Complete Post through this link… For the first time ever, blind Veterans can now read their VA benefits decision letters inside the VA Health and Benefit…

Disability Cosmos Daily

Michigan state parks system leads the nation in accessible recreation
By Kelly House: Complete Post through this link…

A donation of five track chairs several years ago inspired state park officials to prioritize accessibility in a new way

The state now has 25 of the off-road mobility devices — more than any other state

Advocates
https://disabilitycosmos.blog/2024/01/08/michigan-state-parks-system-leads-the-nation-in-accessible-recreation/
#AT #DisabilityCulture #RecreationAT

Michigan state parks system leads the nation in accessible recreation

By Kelly House: Complete Post through this link… A donation of five track chairs several years ago inspired state park officials to prioritize accessibility in a new way The state now has 25 of the…

Disability Cosmos Daily

Report: Disparities Emerge In Those Seeking LTSS As They Age
By Joyce Famakinwa: Complete Post through this link…

People who are 55 years old, and living in a community setting in the U.S., are seeing major disparities when it comes to long-term
https://disabilitycosmos.blog/2024/01/06/report-disparities-emerge-in-those-seeking-ltss-as-they-age/
#Abuse #DisabilityCulture #DisabilityResistence #EconomicJustice #HealthAndDisability #HealthPolicy #Intersection #PainManagement #Recovery

Report: Disparities Emerge In Those Seeking LTSS As They Age

By Joyce Famakinwa: Complete Post through this link… People who are 55 years old, and living in a community setting in the U.S., are seeing major disparities when it comes to long-term services and…

Disability Cosmos Daily