One of my biggest misconceptions when I first started learning about accessibility was… well, basically everything I thought I knew about assistive technology. When we talk about accessibility, we talk a lot about screen readers and other assistive devices. And if you’ve never used or been around this kind of technology, it’s easy […]
Alt Text… or Text Alternatives?
The Phrase “Alt Text” comes up a lot when we talk about web and content accessibility. We’ve got lots of content about Alt Text. But Alt Text is not the terminology used by WCAG. Instead, they use the phrase “Text Alternative”. Let’s take a look at why: What’s the Difference? Alt Text is […]
Is Your Organization Using Alt Text?
Every business has documents. If you’re a smaller company, you might not see the harm in using images without Alt Text in these internal documents. After all, they’re internal, right? And you’re not aware of anyone on your team who uses a screen reader. So what’s the harm? The most obvious reason to start using […]
Why Are Heading Tags Important?
If you’re writing content for your website, you might be tempted to just use bold text to highlight your headings. After all, it accomplishes more or less the same thing, right? Not exactly. Here are some reasons why you should take the extra step of using actual HTML heading tags for your headings. […]
Accessible eBooks Are For Everyone.
Content Made with Everyone in Mind For a long time, readers who were blind would need to seek either braille editions or raised print editions. These editions, if they existed at all, were printed in very limited quantities and could be very expensive. Audio books are another option, but again, not every book will be […]
Accessibility Vocabulary Check: POUR?
Pour is an acronym that the WCAG uses to describe accessibility. Each letter stands for one of the four principles of content accessibility. These principles break down important considerations for ensuring that content, web or otherwise, is accessible to as wide an audience as possible. This blog will break down each letter of POUR to […]
What do developers need to know about Tab Focus?
What Is Tab Focus? Users who access webpages or other content using keyboard navigation use the tab key to move between interactive elements. These elements should be toggled through in the order in which they appear on the document or web page. When an interactive element is selected, or “focused”, there should be a visual […]
The Right Mindset for A11y
Accessibility is a fast growing topic. Businesses that have never even heard of web accessibility or content accessibility are now finding themselves making decisions about it. And, with so many options out there, these decisions can be difficult to make. Accessibility = Opportunity The rise in accessibility lawsuits has put accessibility on the radar […]
What’s the Deal with HTML5?
HTML5 has been around for a very long time now. But not everyone moves at the same speed. Different browsers adopt technologies at different rates. And developers need to factor in that compatibility when they choose technologies for their projects. But, now that it’s been over 12 years since the initial release, it’s pretty safe […]
Do You Need an Accessibility Statement?
You’ve hired an accessibility consultant, firm, or specialist. You’ve invested time, effort, and resources into ensuring that all of your users enjoy a comfortable and intuitive experience within your accessible web application or website. An Accessibility Statement is a great way to put that work on display and set a good example for your industry. […]