a11y (digital accessibility)
adrianroselli.com
Adrian Roselli provides a lot of helpful tips on this podcast to help people create accessible web content. He highlights accessibility strategies like ensuring an easy-to-read color contrast ratio, using programmatic headings, and alternative text, and how testing with the keyboard is a good first step for web and mobile content. Check out the full interview for more information. #accessibility
This article highlights how gamification can be used to teach educators about how to incorporate digital accessibility strategies. They used a flipped classroom model, points, badging, and encouraging different winners to support learners as they progressed through the different digital accessibility modules. Most learners expressed increased satisfaction and engagement because of the gamification strategies. Check out the full article for more details. #accessibility
www.mdpi.com
This article gathers feedback from 11 VR and digital accessibility experts. It explores how the metaverse needs to develop to be accessible and inclusive. This requires compatibility with assistive technologies, navigating different environments seamlessly, ensuring privacy, and creating VR environments that incorporate universal design principles. #accessibility
dl.acm.org
This article provides insights from educators about how digital accessibility knowledge and responsibility are shared in higher education. Recommendations include extending digital accessibility training beyond individual champions and leveraging communities of practice to share knowledge. Also, to encourage self-directed learning and interdisciplinary employees to take ownership and promote digital accessibility strategies. #accessibility
This article highlights creating accessible headings using JavaScript and possible use cases. #accessibility
This article highlights how integrating UDL principles and educational technologies into the classroom led to students feeling a greater sense of belonging in the classroom. This is why providing an engaging online discussion platform, recordings of lectures, and flexible assignments are important attributes to consider. #accessibility
www.latimes.com
Fortunately, The Los Angeles Community College District did not appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. However, in the future, a case relating to the ADA may come to the Supreme Court, which will decide if the ADA applies to unintentional discrimination. Also, the Chevron Decision may lead to the ADA's new rule imposing the WCAG 2.1 Standard being invalid. This is why it is important to vote this November. #accessibility
This article connects designing inclusive online courses to guidelines like Universal Design For Learning and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. It highlights the principles of both guidelines and provides specific examples related to making online courses more accessible. #accessibility
meryl.net
This article highlights the importance of making digital accessibility part of your role. It provides specific examples and tips about how to advocate for accessibility across different roles. #accessibility
Captions are the curb cut of digital media. This article highlights the benefits of closed captions and how they can benefit a wide range of students. #accessibility
blog.pope.tech
This article explains why it is important to screen the accessibility of third party vendors. It provides tips like asking the vendor for a VPAT and to provide examples of how they are complaint with WCAG. The article also provides an email template that can be used. #accessibility
This article explores the experiences of people using Gen AI with different disabilities. It highlights the strengths and weakness of GenAI and provides a host of different accessibility strategies for using GenAI. #accessibility
This talk highlights how accessibility can foster inclusion. It provides a variety of examples of why digital accessibility is important and potential implementations. #accessibility
www.forbes.com
Apple Music and Podcasts now provide transcripts that sync with the content. The FDA is approving Apple's Airpods Pro 2 as hearing aids. They are also releasing a hearing test designed to be used with the device. A new accessibility feature in iOS 18 is Music Haptics, which uses synced vibrations to convey the musical experience. These devices and features have the potential to make a significant impact for people with hearing loss or who are deaf. #accessibility
www.tdrlaw.com
This article highlights how a conservative Supreme Court could weaken the ADA. The ADA requires plaintiffs to prove intentional discrimination. Currently, there is a circuit split on what the burden of proof is. Some districts say that only deliberate indifference is required while other districts are arguing that the plaintiff must show discriminatory animus to be awarded damages. Adopting the discriminatory animus standard would seriously weaken the ADA. #accessibility
arstechnica.com
There is a circuit split on whether the ADA applies to websites. This creates ambiguity because each district is different. For example, Winn-Dixie originally lost its case but won its appeal because the judges felt the ADA could not be applied to websites. However, this deprives people using assistive technologies from being able to place an order online. If the Supreme Court takes this case in the future they should extend ADA protections to web content. #accessibility
digital.gov
This article profiles how the U.S. General Services Administration is working to make its digital content more accessible. They are making digital accessibility part of their design process. They also prioritize using a consistent user-centered design, easy-to-understand language, and mobile/tablet testing. #accessibility
digital.gov
This article highlights why digital accessibility is important. It provides a summary of the legal landscape, universal design, the lived experience of people with disabilities, accessibility testing methods, and the screen reading software available. It also provides a host of resources to explore the topic further. #accessibility
This Conference Paper reviews the history of digital accessibility research. It found that a majority of studies have focused on web accessibility and media accessibility. There is a lack of studies including people with disabilities and utilizing interdisciplinary collaboration. There are fewer studies on subjects like kiosks, virtual reality, and mobile. We need diverse researchers and studies to explore all the different facets of digital accessibility. #accessibility
adrianroselli.com
This is an interesting talk highlighting some of the issues that can occur on a website when an accessibility overlay is used. #accessibility
Discovered via the [Accessibility Weekly](https://a11yweekly.com) newsletter
www.asroma.com
Today is International Sign Language Day. There are approximately 300 different sign languages and French Sign Language is thought to be the oldest, which dates back to 1771. Sign language interpreting should be part of press conferences, and live events. Sign language interpreting promotes inclusion and diversity. #accessibility
er.educause.edu
This article highlights a study showing that only 7% of people with disabilities feel there is adequate representation of their community and 87% would be willing to provide user feedback. The article highlights AI advancements in digital accessibility like audio and image descriptions. #accessibility
This resolution between the Office of Civil Rights and California State University Stanislaus regards kiosk accessibility. Kiosks are often used to offload providing support staff. However, this resolution requires the university to make support staff available upon request. It will be interesting to see how this space develops in the future. #accessibility
www.princeton.edu
Princeton University is using WayFinding technology to create accessible maps that highlight accessibility features for each building on campus. This makes it easy to create an accessible route to buildings on campus. Check out the full article for more details. #accessibility
This dissertation explores Generative AI for Web Accessibility. It found that software developers who view AI as an ethical responsibility rather than a technical requirement are more likely to be skeptical of AI. Developers surveyed with more experience appeared more likely to have a negative view of AI than developers with less experience. Gen AI presents risks related to accuracy, overreliance, and biases, which can cause skewed outputs. #accessibility
I appreciate the different accessibility tools this article highlights. I also like Sean Dougherty's suggestion that AI can be helpful for people who use screen reading software by providing quick summaries of web pages. This can help someone find information faster and determine if it is worth reading the article. One aspect that I think the article misses is that accurate alternative text is still going to be very important. AI has a hard time determining the author's intention. AI tools can help to find more information about a picture when there is no alternative text but authors should add alt text to their images. Authors can also use alt text as a base that they can edit from similar to how auto-generated captions are edited today. #accessibility
adrianroselli.com
This article highlights using attributes like the legend and fieldset attributes to create an accessible form. It also provides examples that show how these attributes can be implemented. #accessibility
Most mouse users can quickly understand the need to make a website accessible by keyboard, for users who do not use a mouse due to a motor disability or other reasons. But what if a user also does not have the use of a keyboard? [Janaki Konar](https://www.linkedin.com/in/janaki-konar-iaap-was-b80a3a88) just finished a presentation on the technology named [Switch Control](https://support.apple.com/en-us/119835) in iOS, or [Switch Access](https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6122836?hl=en) in Android, which allows users to use their device using a single motion or small number of motions. This can include sipping and puffing into a mouthpiece, or tapping a pillow. The speaker describes how a user can customize these systems to be more efficient (for example, binding a second action to a long press, or grouping a set of actions into a "recipe" that can be repeated.) And the presentation introduces what makes software easy to use, and how user interfaces can be designed poorly to slow down and frustrate users of Switch Control and Switch Access. This presentation and many more are part of the free [Inclusive Design 24](https://inclusivedesign24.org) event going on right now. Follow [@InclusiveDesign24@indieweb.social](https://indieweb.social/@inclusivedesign24) for more information.
www.craftzing.com
This article highlights how curb cuts were originally implemented to benefit people who use wheelchairs. However, curb cuts also benefit skateboarders, parents pushing strollers, and older adults. Implementing digital accessibility strategies can benefit a wide range of people too. The article highlights how captions, text-based content, optimized code, clear language, accessible color, and high contrast can have these wide-ranging benefits.
I believe this resource is from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. This is a free Canvas course with a bunch of resources on digital accessibility. They have modules on Canvas, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Universal Design, and Email. #accessibility
I appreciate Xbox creating the adaptive controller and now their adaptive joystick to make video games more inclusive. I think these developments are pushing the industry to prioritize accessibility and include people with disabilities. I also want to shout out the organization [AbleGamers](https://ablegamers.org). #accessibility
matthewdeeprose.github.io
I enjoyed Matthew Deeprose's article on how gen-AI tools can be incorporated into accessibility workflows. AI has the potential to speed up the time it takes to complete these processes. For example, auto-generated captions still need to be edited but now you can start with a base file that is already over 80% accurate. This revolution is now coming to transcripts and alternative text. Matthew provides helpful prompts that you can adapt to your workflow. #accessiblity
This study uses participants with motor disabilities in Saudi Arabia to evaluate social media platforms. The study examined each platform with characteristics like keyboard accessibility, captioning, alt text, and screen reader compatibility. It found Facebook to be the most accessible and Snapchat to be the least. I wish this study included a qualitative component to capture the participants' observations about the platforms. #accessibility
www.forbes.com
Article by [Steven Aquino](https://sfba.social/@steven_aquino/113092661418138095) An excerpt follows: > For sporting events like the Olympics and Paralympics, ... it’s paramount the (audio describer) be knowledgeable of the sport they’re describing; the quality would be otherwise sullied if the describer didn’t, for example, know the intricacies of basketball or anything else. The information conveyed has to be delivered with the proper context behind it in order for a Blind or low vision person to visualize a moment in their mind.
www.youtube.com
The ArXiv Forum is occurring this month. All their sessions are posted to YouTube. I recommend checking out their channel if you are interested in the latest digital accessibility trends. They also provide a platform for a wide variety of researchers with disabilities to share their perspectives, experiences, and accessibility tips. #accessibility
convergeaccessibility.com
This article highlights the importance of effective communication when sharing accessibility testing feedback. I have documented many accessibility bugs and capturing screenshots of the error can be very helpful. Also, describing the steps needed to recreate the bug is important. Effective communication can reduce retests and make the content accessible faster. #accessibility
This article explores the structural elements of a paragraph and how it relates to screen reader accessibility. #accessibility
marcus.io
This article highlights how about 80% of accessibility barriers are easy fixes while 20% require more complex solutions. A lot of content can be made more accessible by implementing simple solutions like adding alt text or checking the color contrast ratio. #accessibility
This webpage profiles risk statements related to accessibility. Some of the risk statements relate to an institution failing to assign a department or person to coordinate institution-wide accessibility, failing to provide accessible instructional materials in a timely manner, and failing to provide an accessible website. Specific cases are referenced below each risk statement, which can provide context. #accessibility