“Here is a list of WCAG 2.2 Level A and AA success criteria that I think cannot be completely tested with automated tools. These criteria require manual testing because they involve meaning, usability, intent, or user experience that automated tools cannot fully evaluate.” html5accessibility.com/stuff/2…
@SteveFaulkner with the automation-to-WCAG-pipeline fatberg.
In 2025, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLM) like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and DeepSeek are being used for everything. Writing emails. Generating code. Even applying for jobs.
New in GNOME 48 is the necessary support for keyboard handling by the Orca screen reader in Wayland sessions. As I reported on the Orca mailing list recently, I have updated my system, and this support is so far working as intended. You need Mutter 48 and the latest AT-SPI installed.
UI Automation (UIA) is Microsoft’s recommended accessibility framework for Windows, replacing the earlier Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA) framework. De...
#Blind users, users that rely heavily on #keyboardNavigation or anyone else with a preference on that matter (please indicate what applies in the comments):
Do you have a preference for or comments on the format of URLs? During user research, we have learned that URLs that are easy to handle are a good thing.
The four principles of WCAG plus two more related to real-life accessibility. Set in Neue Helvetica Heavy as black text for lighter colored shirts. There is a version in white text and also matching shirts using Atkinson Hyperlegible.
I'm micr0, creator of @altbot, the open-source bot that helps generate alt-text for images on the Fediverse to make content more accessible.
What's New in 2.1?
After successfully moving image processing to local hardware with version 2.0, I've now brought video processing capability back - but with a major privacy upgrade! Altbot can now generate descriptions for videos completely locally and privately without sending content to Google or any other third-party services.
Important note: Currently, video processing is visual-only and doesn't include audio transcription. The audio processing Google was doing was some serious black magic fuckery that isn't possible to replicate locally with current technologies. But the visual descriptions are excellent and totally private!
With this update:
All processing happens locally with zero data retention
Complete privacy for all content
No data used for training models
Videos processed with the same privacy standards as images
I've also maintained Altbot's focus on energy efficiency - while video processing naturally requires more resources than images, I've implemented it to be as efficient as possible, keeping power consumption to a minimum while still delivering great results.
Thank You for Your Support!
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped me reach my donation goal on Ko-fi with the 2.0 launch! Your generosity made it possible to set up the local processing infrastructure that powers this privacy-focused service.
The response from the community has been incredible, and it means so much to know that privacy and accessibility are values we share.
What's Next for Altbot?
I'm already working on exciting future developments:
An Altbot API that will allow developers to integrate alt-text generation into their applications
Direct integration with Fediverse software platforms - I'm collaborating with instance developers to make accessibility a built-in feature!
Remember that Altbot has always been and remains fully open-source, with self-hosting being a core feature from day one for anyone who wants to run their own instance.
Supporting Ongoing Development & Infrastructure
Altbot currently runs on hardware in my home, which means I'm covering all the electricity costs for powering the GPU server that processes your media. While I've designed the system to be energy-efficient, running a dedicated AI server still impacts my monthly power bill.
Monthly donations would be especially helpful in sustainably supporting:
Ongoing electricity costs
Time spent on development and maintenance
Future infrastructure improvements
Even small recurring contributions can make a huge difference in keeping this service running reliably and allowing me to dedicate more time to improvements!
Today, we hosted the 15th annual Microsoft Ability Summit, with over 20,000 attendees from 164 countries coming together virtually to discuss the future of AI and accessibility.
Ever seen fancy italics, bold text, or even gothic letters in a slick marketing post on social media?
These platforms do not offer text formatting, so people use weird mathematical characters from the fringes of the Unicode spectrum. And because they aren't really letters screen reader software will announce them as silence or incomprehensible garbage.
I posted something on Mastodon that uses Unicode math symbols to produce fake bold and fake italic text. I used YayText.com to generate it, but I am not linking it because you I don’t want you to use it.
Last week at #CSUN2025, we had the incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and grow alongside some of the most innovative minds in accessibility and assistive technology. As a fully remote team, gathering in person is always meaningful, but being part of conversations that shape the future of our technology makes it even more special.
We’re grateful for the chance to hear from industry leaders, learn from fellow innovators, and connect with Explorers (both new and those who have been here from the start) who shape the work we do every day. Having a seat at this table is an honor, and we’re more committed than ever to making Aira the best it can be.
Thank you, Center on Disabilities at CSUN, for another unforgettable year!
Web Design References: News and info about web design and development. The site advocates accessibility, usability, web standards and many related topics.
Exciting news! Microsoft just launched a brand-new AI course: "Create Accessible Solutions using AI Innovations." Learn how to harness AI to build more inclusive technology. Check it out now! 🚀 #Accessibility #AI Explore the course here: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/trai…
This module provides guidance on how to collaborate effectively with customers, partners, and the disability community to create innovative solutions that are accessible and inclusive.
My Ability Summit 2025 recap stream is just 30 minutes away. Join me at 5 PM Central Time as I break down the biggest announcements, AI advancements, and accessibility innovations from this year's event. When: Today at 5 PM CT youtube.com/watch?v=Pw6a6aR-sz… Don't miss it. See you soon. #AbilitySummit #Accessibility #AI
Turn your videos into live streams with https://restream.ioThe Microsoft Ability Summit 2025 just wrapped up, and I’m bringing you the biggest announcements,...
Mark your calendars: the 2025 edition of Inclusive Design 24 (#id24) will take place on the 25 September 2025! We've just opened our call for presentations (closing date 31 May 2025) - looking forward to your exciting submissions! inclusivedesign24.org/2025/ #a11y #accessibility #inclusion #inclusiveDesign
Have made my first ever experience with the package pickup stations of the Austrian post last weekend. They have been made accessible to the blind. The procedure is as follows: 1. You receive a physical notification about a package being dropped off at a station in your mailbox. 2. The notification has one of its corners cut off to make a tactile difference. This way you can tell where the code you need to scan is located. 3. You go to the pickup station. The tactile flooring inside will guide you to the stations. 4. You touch anywhere on the touch screen of the station. 5. You touch again, this time the area above a circle shape that can be touched on a strip below the screen itself. 6. The voice guide is activated and issues further instructions. 7. You place the code on your notification in front of the reader. 8. Assuming it has been scanned correctly, you proceed to signing the delivery confirmation on the touch screen. How you can do it without seeing the screen is still a mystery to me but I guess anything you draw is accepted by the system. 9. The locker opens and makes a ticking sound until you find it, remove your package and shut the door. I still find the way of opening it with a mobile app that some providers in other countries offer far easier but it's great those are ready for use even if you don't want or can't use a smartphone. #Accessibility #Blind
Today I learned: If you use #Chrome and are annoyed by those "Sign in with Google" dialogs stealing keyboard focus on certain websites, you can disable it at the browser level.
In the address bar, type or paste in "chrome://settings/content/federatedIdentityApi" (without the quotes. You should land on the "Third-party sign-in" Settings page.
On that page, there'll be two radio buttons: "Sites can show sign-in prompts from identity services", and "Block sign-in prompts from identity services". Set it to the second one, and you should find that the problematic dialogs are no longer present.
Thanks to a meetup at our local hackerspace @metalab , I have learnt about a web-based, open source, highly accessible video downloader frontend you can fire up at cobalt.tools. Really easy how it works: 1. You open the site; 2. you paste the link into the edit box; 3. You press enter; 4. The standard "Save File" dialog comes up. All the extra stuff like formats and qualities can be set in the settings and a choice between a video, audio-only or video-only version is offered under a button below the link input. #Accessibility #Blind
There’s something very depressingly emblematic that Chrome Dev Tools’ annoying “Ask AI” sprinkles everywhere include one that pops up and *covers* the Accessibility Tree toggle.
There was SO much technology at the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference and I'll be going live tonight (March 14th) at 8PM EST to share some of what I thought was the coolest stuff there!
Though I did not attend CSUN, I did my best to follow the news online! Come join me as I share what I saw and heard. Also, let me know what you know! 😊Major...
Massachusetts is looking for a summer Accessibility Intern. Paid. Mostly remote, some office. Preference given for applications received by 26 March - don't dillydally! massanf.taleo.net/careersectio…
This study explores using Spatial Audio, musical cues, and audio descriptions to enhance the video game experience and to make it accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. The study included a mix of participants with and without visual impairments. The feedback highlighted the importance of accessible keyboard controls and sounds that convey character movement and object location. #accessibilityjournals-sol.sbc.org.br/index.…
The next OZeWAI panel topic is Accessibility for Content Management Systems featuring Amber Hinds (Equalize Digital), @mgifford, CPWA (CivicActions) and Ricky Blacker (WPEngine), moderated by Brigitta Norton.
Get tickets on Humanitix - OZeWAI online event - Ask the Professionals - 21 March 2025 hosted by OZeWAI. Online. Friday 21st March 2025. Find event information.
I am happy to say I'll be at #DrupalConAtlanta, March 24-27th. I am really excited to finally see Atlanta, which I have heard so much great news about. Also, so happy to be connecting with others in the #Drupal community. I am looking forward to more conversations about #GovTech, #accessibility & #sustainability.
We’re on our way to #CSUNATC2025 ! Next week join us from the premier event for assistive technology.We can’t wait to explore the latest innovations that make tech more accessible for all. Stay tuned for updates, interviews, and insights from the conference! #Accessibility #AssistiveTech #CSUN2024 #InclusiveTech #DoubleTap
Eter is now the most feature-rich and accessible radio app for iOS! It supports the public Radio Browser directory, giving you access to thousands of stations worldwide. You can also add stations directly from the app for ultimate customization. Plus, extensive VoiceOver Rotor actions make navigation and control smoother than ever. apps.apple.com/us/app/eter-str… #Accessibility
Eter Radio is an app for listening to Internet radio stations. Eter Radio is available in a universal version for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS.
Eter Radio uses the publicly available radio-browser.
Nice tips document on how to write accessible app UIs, or debug accessibility when it doesn’t seem to be working quite right: gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/orca/-/…
@accessibleandroid Hello! I found a solid ebook reader on F-Droid, LXReader. TTS reading is really customizable. Although the app have some unlabelled buttons, they just expand certain options in the UI that are readable. f-droid.org/packages/io.gitlab… #accessibility #a11y
Web Design References: News and info about web design and development. The site advocates accessibility, usability, web standards and many related topics.
TL;DR: anyone promising you that a total solution to digital accessibility is coming, and they are the ones bringing it, may be lying. Background In 2016 I wrote Be Wary of Accessibility Guarantees from Vendors.
What's the state of #matrix, #xmpp and #IRC as far as #screenReader -accessible clients are concerned? Desktop (Windows, Mac) and mobile (iOS, Android).
Hoping for some input, please feel free to boost. As far as I know:
Matrix does not have a lightweight, fully accessible client for desktop, but one could be modified, such as #gomuks. On mobile, Element has scrolling issues, which is unacceptable for large rooms.
XMPP has accessible desktop clients (I used to run #Adium on the Mac), also #WeeChat. No idea about mobile.
IRC is perhaps the one which everything supports on desktop, from #MirandaIM through Weechat to the old Freedom Chat, which I could probably rewrite if I had to. Also not sure about mobile, but it would definitely need push notifications, because we can't expect people to stay constantly online on the go. #a11y #accessibility
If the extent of your WCAG testing is running axe / ARC / WAVE / EAAC and that’s it, not only are you only testing ~30% of WCAG, but my own 2023 testing shows those tools catch under 15% of issues: adrianroselli.com/2023/01/comp…
Manual testing is still a thing.
Which you need to know how to do, especially if bumping into `<canvas>`.
Automated accessibility testing tools cannot test 100% of WCAG. This position is not controversial. Other than overlay vendors, no automated tool maker makes that claim.
