ASC's Intersections Newsletter — July 26, 2023
Nora's Note
Accessibility first. As new social media platforms, trends, functions, and user interfaces continue to emerge, a crucial conversation around accessibility is brewing in the public engagement field. Instagram’s new Threads app launched this month, prompting ASC’s review of the new platform’s accessibility performance. Without significant customization options, alternative text generation features, or editable closed captions, the app gets a fail for inclusive user experience. As public engagement and outreach increasingly lives in the online space, the equity and accessibility of social media platforms will be vital to ensuring the 1 in 4 Americans with a disability can easily access accurate information and participate in public dialogue. Carrying on the themes of Disability Pride Month, we’ll keep a close eye on social media platforms to ensure our most popular forms of information sharing are truly open to all.
Transportation
Manhattan's Third Avenue redesign begins next week with upgrades for bikes, buses, pedestrians. Construction will begin next week on a major safety and accessibility update to Manhattan’s Third Avenue. Two out of five lanes will be updated to make way for bikers, buses, and pedestrians along about 40 blocks between East 59th Street and 96th Street. Camera-enforced bus lanes and pedestrian islands will improve commuting efficiency on the Avenue and provide a safer environment for those using the wider lanes, according to the DOT. Read more about the redesign project and anticipated benefits. (Source: Gothamist)
Bloomberg: Bikeshare Is Still Growing in Popularity After Pandemic Cycling Boom
Streets Blog: Did Minnesota Just Release the Best Statewide Transportation Bill Yet?
AMNY: MTA boosting service on five subway lines in August
NY1: Five free bus routes to be offered by MTA pilot program
Climate
Big companies seek new paths to deep grid decarbonization. Over the past decade, corporations have purchased approximately 150 gigawatts of renewable energy globally, with half of those purchases occurring in the United States. A group of America's largest corporations have joined a new partnership to speed up their transition to renewable energy. The initiative aims to increase collaboration between the country's largest energy consumers to reduce their collective carbon emissions and build a sustainable energy future. Read more about this initiative to decarbonize corporate operations. (Source: Canary Media)
Wired: A Vast Untapped Green Energy Source Is Hiding Beneath Your Feet
Magic Valley: Power Up! Southern Idaho gets 'special' boost from renewable energy
KUER: Utah’s Community Renewable Energy Program is projected to come to fruition in 2024
Energy News Network: Connecticut mapping tool aims to bring visibility to environmental justice communities
Economic Development
New bill aims to simplify federal grant applications, boost funding for underserved communities. Federal lawmakers have introduced the Streamlining Federal Grants Act, a new bill that is intended to simplify the federal grant application process and increase accessibility of funding especially for local governments and underserved communities. The bipartisan bill seeks to address these complicated grant application hurdles by providing federal agencies with guidance on how to streamline grant application procedures, as well as modernizing software and systems on grant application websites and portals. Read more about potential updates to the federal grant application process. (Source: Route Fifty)
The Conversation: Using green banks to solve America’s affordable housing crisis – and climate change at the same time
Washington Examiner: Chicago set to provide schooling and additional housing for migrants
Axios: The economy is officially doing better than we thought
Smart Cities Dive: Green ‘rebirth’ could be in store for smaller industrial cities across US
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