Simple Plan, Supermarkets and European Air Travel

Montreal power-pop band Simple Plan is testing a wireless high-tech device to help teens with hearing disabilities enjoy their music at live shows. A wireless microphone and transmitter are plugged into the band’s console, sharing a frequency with the teens’ receivers, which are slightly larger than an iPod. The receivers have a tiny cable attached to the teens’ hearing aids or implants, bringing sound to the auditory nerve.

Loblaw Companies Ltd. now offers accessible online grocery flyers that provide in-store specials to customers who are blind or have low vision. Canada’s largest food supplier, Loblaw Companies includes Loblaws, Zehrs, the Real Canadian Superstore, Provigo, No Frills and Fortino stores. The flyers were developed with input from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Customers can sign up for weekly e-mails that contain links to their preferred store's accessible flyer. To access the flyers, visit www.loblaw.com/en/flyers.html.

The European Parliament Plenary voted to adopt landmark regulation on the rights of air passengers with disabilities on December 15 in Brussels. Under the new regulation, people with disabilities have a right to assistance upon arrival at the airport, cannot be denied boarding except for safety requirements established by law, and must be compensated for lost or damaged assistive equipment. Training for air careers must also meet the needs of people with disabilities. For more information, visit www.edf-feph.org/en/news/press.htm.