Ambassadors have been trained on Pixel’s accessibility features, including Guided Frame, TalkBack, and Magnifier, and have also participated in a collaborative design session with our Pixel team. Throughout the partnership, they will offer feedback and insights as Trusted Tester of our features, shaped by their personal experiences using the devices. As USABA’s official Global Technology Partner, we look forward to working with these athletes during a major year in their professional journey and continuing to collaborate with them on ways to improve our products for both athletes and people with disabilities.

A new Google accessibility discovery center opens in Zurich

Last year, we opened our first Google Accessibility Discovery Centre in London to act as a community space and touchpoint to build more accessible technology. Since then, we’ve expanded to open a second center in Dublin, and we’re excited to announce a third center in Zurich. Our goal for this space is for it to become a place where people can learn more about our latest accessibility products and our teams can partner even more closely with the disability community.

Expanding access to CS Education for students with disabilities

Students everywhere should have equitable access to computer science education. Today, we’re launching a $5 million fund to support nonprofits who are making coding and computer science education more accessible to students with disabilities. This investment will provide funding to organizations leveraging Google’s Blockly open source library to develop and implement inclusive tools and curricula. The initiative aims to empower developers in education technology organizations by helping them create inclusive learning experiences. By helping tailor experiences to students with diverse learning styles and abilities, these nonprofits can support the important work to ensure all students can participate fully in the digital world and gain foundational computing skills.

Blockly’s accessibility features include a keyboard navigation plugin to support users with visual, mobility, or other disabilities who cannot use a mouse, as well as four theme plugins that help with common types of visual impairments including color blindness and low vision. While we continue to invest in this area for Blockly, we’re also working closely with the Department of Education in Maryland, whose leadership in accessible education policies served as an inspiration for this fund, and nonprofits in the space, so that we can create a future where every learner can thrive in the digital age. Sign up on our website to stay updated about the fund and receive a notification when applications are available.