The University of Manitoba Biomedical Engineering Design Team (BMED) brings together students with a passion for the biomedical field to foster design experience, device building, public speaking and networking opportunities.

Throughout their first year as a team, BMED organized events, tours and outreach programs to distribute knowledge about biomedical engineering. The team focused on completing autonomous design projects that aim to improve the quality of life of clients. Within these projects, students designed, prototyped and tested their devices before taking them to competitions and conferences. BMED worked on three projects: Wheelchair Transfer, Wheelchair Handwarmer, and EMG Muscle Rehabilitation.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/biomedical-engineering-students-design-life-changing-technology/

Two weeks ago, Gabrielle Peters spent a rare day out in Vancouver with friends. They took in a cultural festival in the afternoon, then headed for dinner at a restaurant Peters had always wanted to try.

“As soon as we sat down, my anxiety started. In the back of my mind was, ‘I’m going to have to call a taxi,’ and that’s likely to be not a good experience,” she remembered.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/no-no-no-no-no-no-wheelchair-users-say-even-accessible-taxis-will-refuse-rides-in-vancouver/

Sometimes it takes Sasha Blair-Goldensohn three times longer to get to work than it used to, and sometimes he’s stuck on a subway platform with no easy way to get up to street level.

The 43-year-old software engineer, who’s been using a wheelchair since 2009, is one of about a million differently-abled people facing daily struggles as they navigate New York City’s aging subway system.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/navigating-the-nyc-subway-in-a-wheelchair-is-hell/

Bill C-81, the Accessible Canada Act, which received Royal Assent, will provide the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) with new tools to help advance the accessibility of the national transportation system.

Once in force, this legislation will provide the CTA with

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/canadian-transportation-agency-announces-plans-to-enhance-accessibility-of-canadas-national-transportation-system-2/

An online tool to track accessible parking spaces is being developed by Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD), thanks to a $28,000 provincial grant they received last year.

The province is once again calling for grant proposals for community projects that improve accessibility for the second year running, the province is giving out a total of $500,000 in grants.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/province-in-british-columbia-canada-to-develop-online-tool-to-track-accessible-parking-spaces/

In the not-too-distant past rail, the considerations afforded to passengers with mobility issues or those whom require special assistance can sometimes be found lacking. For obvious reasons, having to travel when negotiating steps, stairs and trains that the majority of the travelling public find straightforward can make the idea of using public transport quite daunting.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/apps-badges-and-3d-rendering-steps-being-taken-to-improve-rail-accessibility/

Stearn Hodge says he’s ‘had enough’ of airport security agents and airlines trying to take away the batteries for his portable scooter a disability violation. He’s fighting to take United Airlines, WestJet and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority to the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/i-had-to-crawl-amputee-seeks-damages-after-united-airlines-and-airport-security-seize-scooter-batteries/

Washington At a time when major automakers are planning to deploy greater numbers of autonomous vehicles (AVs), they have a unique opportunity to ensure people with disabilities have access to this transformational technology.
That is one of the conclusions of “Designing the Future of Transportation for People with Disabilities,” released today by the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America).

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/autonomous-vehicle-design-should-benefit-broader-group-of-potential-drivers/