Join Matt Ater and Jennison Asuncion as they recognize Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) and celebrate the 30th Anniversary of JAWS on May 14 at 4 PM ET.

Register today: tpgi.com/webinar-marking-a-mil…

#Accessibility #DigitalAccessibility #A11y #GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay #GAAD #JAWS #Webinar

Webinar, May 14 at 4pm ET: Marking a Milestone: Celebrating 30 Years of JAWS on Global Accessibility Awareness Day - TPGi

Join us for a webinar where Matt Ater and Jennison Asuncion will celebrate the JAWS 30th Anniversary and discuss the significance of GAAD.

^{Matt Ater (TPGi)}

“Do Not Publish Your Designs on the Web with Figma Sites…”
adrianroselli.com/2025/05/do-n…

Figma announced Figma Sites, letting you publish your Figma designs directly to the web like it’s 1997.

#accessibility #a11y

Do Not Publish Your Designs on the Web with Figma Sites…

…Unless you want to fail all the WCAGs, create litigation risk, close off opportunities in Europe, engage in reputational harm, and oh yeah, throw up barriers to your customers and users.

^{Adrian Roselli}

According to NVAccess, there are over 2,000 #NVDA open issues and if seeing one fixed is "particularly important" to me, they would "encourage hiring someone to work on it."

So how about it, #blind programmers? Your serious quotes for fixing this bug on a freelance basis:

github.com/nvaccess/nvda/issue…

#accessibility

Can't review/spell text of accessible names applied with aria-label/labelledby in focus mode · Issue #15159 · nvaccess/nvda

When a control on a web page is given an accessible name via aria-label or aria-labelledby, and NVDA's focus mode is active, the text of the control's name cannot be spoken or spelled with the "rep...

^GitHub

I see #Figma has decided to reincarnate FrontPage, but worse:
figma.com/blog/introducing-fig…

Sample 1, with 269 axe issues:
config.new/

Sample 2, with only 184 axe issues:
practice-type.com/

No mention of #accessibility in the announcement, so I guess none expected?

Anyway, get ahead of this, folks. We’re going back to 1999!

#a11y

Config 2025 Highlights

Catch up on all the new products and features we announced at Config 2025.

^{www.config.new}

For 17 years, I have been using Skype weekly. Where others phone their loved ones to talk, I use Skype.

#deaf #accessibility

darice.org/2025/05/07/the-demi…

The Demise of Skype an Accessibility Tragedy / Darice de Cuba

Since day one that I lost the rest of my hearing, I have been using Skype to video call my mom, who lives in Aruba. I am fortunate that I can lipread our native language, Papiamento, well enough to…

^{Darice de Cuba}

Following today's post on the Microsoft Edge blog, I've started a page of ARIA Notify examples that currently only function in Edge Canary:

jscholes.github.io/ariaNotify.…

The blog post:

blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/20…

#accessibility #screenReader #screenReaders

Creating a more accessible web with Aria Notify

We're excited to announce the availability, as a developer and origin trial, of ARIA Notify, a new API that's designed to make web content

^{Microsoft Edge Blog}

Me in 2019:
“A Model for WordPress Accessibility”
adrianroselli.com/2019/05/a-mo…

Mullenweg in 2025:
A plug-in, off-loaded to the community to build and maintain!
therepository.email/canonical-…

#accessibility #a11y

Canonical Plugin Proposal for Accessibility Prompts Concerns from Contributors and Experts - The Repository

WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg has suggested that accessibility improvements could be developed as a canonical plugin to help contributors respond more quickly to the needs of users who rely on assistive technologies.

^{Rae Morey (The Repository)}

Thin Fonts Are a Usability Nightmare—And Finally, Designers Are Waking Up

webdesignerdepot.com/thin-font…

#UIDesign #webdesign #a11y #fonts #usability #accessibility #typography

Thin Fonts Are a Usability Nightmare—And Finally, Designers Are Waking Up

Thin fonts may look sleek, but they’re a usability nightmare—hard to read, inaccessible, and especially frustrating on mobile.

^{Noah Davis (Web Designer Depot)}

More and more I am looking through @Delta Chat apps and resources I believe this should become number one messenger of choice for screen reader users.
The developers are constantly improving its #a11y. It's secure from the start of using.
Additionally the desktop chat has under gone an #accessibility audit and accessibility issues are clearly documented in public.
I am not sure other messenger style app on the planet has such dedicated commitment to accessibility ever.

github.com/deltachat/deltachat…

Issues from Accessibility audit · Issue #4743 · deltachat/deltachat-desktop

We recently got an accessibility quick scan from HAN. They took some time to discuss/test the app with us in a call and gave us a report. treefit and wofwca also made notes during the call, this is...

^GitHub

Viewpoint is a Windows program that uses Gemini AI to make user interfaces that aren't accessible, pretty accessible! I was able to navigate the PPSSPP interface with it pretty well! So yeah, it's starting to happen, the use of AI for more than just image descriptions.

viewpoint.nibblenerds.com/

#accessibility #blind #ai #ViewPoint #GeminiAI #google

Uncover the untold story of Apple VoiceOver! Join us as we reveal fascinating insights and genius ideas behind this groundbreaking technology. Despite valid criticisms, we acknowledge Apple's transformative impact on the industry. Discover the real story today! youtube.com/watch?v=5tLSycbey6…

#AppleVoiceOver #Accessibility #TechHistory #Innovation #BehindTheScenes #TechInterview #Apple #Technology #Inspiration #DesignThinking

🤔 Why is it acceptable to some that #WCAG can be used to test PDF's, but not native iOS or Android apps?

#accessibility

Note: I think its legit to use WCAG to test native iOS or Android apps

tetralogical.com/blog/2024/07/…

Does WCAG 2.2 apply to native apps - TetraLogical

A big question for many organisations is if WCAG 2.2 applies to native apps. In this post we explore what does and doesn't apply.

^TetraLogical

The 2025 edition of Inclusive Design 24 (#id24) will take place on the 25 September 2025.

Got an idea for a talk? Our call for presentations is still open until the end of the month (31 May 2025).

inclusivedesign24.org/2025/

#a11y #accessibility #inclusion #inclusiveDesign

Inclusive Design 24 (#id24)

A free 24-hour online community event on accessibility and inclusion

^{Inclusive Design 24 (#id24)}

As part of our volunteer-driven accessibility initiative in GNOME Calendar, and for the first time in the 10+ years of Calendar's existence, we finally completed and merged the first step needed to have a working calendar app for people who rely on keyboard navigation. This merge request in particular makes the event widgets focusable with navigation keys (arrow left/up/right/down) and activatable with space/enter. This will be available in GNOME 49.

Most of GNOME Calendar's layout and widgets consist of custom widgets and complex calculations, both independently and according to other factors (window size, height and width of each cell, number of events, positioning, etc.), so these widgets need to be minimal to have as little overhead as possible. This means that these widgets also need to have the necessary accessibility features reimplemented or even rethought, including and starting with the event widgets.

We also hope to get other parts of GNOME Calendar accessible before GNOME 49, but I can't promise anything at the moment. We did start working with making the month view accessible: gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-c…

#GNOME #Calendar #GNOMECalendar #GTK4 #GTK #Libadwaita #Accessibility #a11y #Linux

Make the event widget accessible (!559) · Merge requests · GNOME / gnome-calendar · GitLab

This implements button functionality to make it able to focus and activate it. This also sets the appropriate accessibility role and labels/descriptions. Related:

^GitLab

When you’re scripting for a screen reader, then you’re scripting for the browser, with exactly the same level of JavaScript support.

However complications can arise with event handling, because screen readers intercept events and don't always pass them on to the browser, and even then, keyboard actions might fire mouse events.

tpgi.com/event-handling-in-jaw…

#accessibility #a11y #javascript

Event handling in JAWS and NVDA - TPGi

Complications can arise with JavaScript event handling in screen readers, because the virtual cursor intercepts or modifies page events.

^{James Edwards (TPGi)}

Our latest In-Process blog is out: nvaccess.org/post/in-process-3…

Featuring
- The NVDA 2025.1 Beta
- What’s New in 2025.1
- Updated NVDA Expert Certification 2025
- Gene Empowers New Zealand
- Changes for Developers
- NVDA Add-ons and API Breaking Changes

#NVDA #NVDAsr #Blog #News #Newsletter #ScreenReader #Blind #Accessibility #Update #Changes

📢 Introducing the #UnseenImageChallenge! 📢
What if everyone experienced social media the way screen reader users do? Let's find out together!

Visit our challenge website for more information and examples: micr0.dev/unseenChallenge

What Is It?

Post a solid black square image with detailed alt text describing what would have been there. Everyone will "see" the same way screen reader users see the post! This powerful exercise demonstrates why accessible content matters.

How To Participate:

1. Choose a meaningful image based on the daily theme
2. Replace it with a plain black square in your post
3. Write a vivid, detailed description as the alt text
4. Use the hashtag #UnseenImageChallenge
5. Nominate 3 friends to join the challenge

Need Help With Alt Text?

Not sure how to write good descriptions? We've created a comprehensive alt text guide at micr0.dev/alttext with examples, tips, and even an interactive quality checker!

You can also DM me the original image, and I'll help generate alt text you can use! (Make sure you are following me first! Mastodon blocks 'unsolicited' DMs!)

Example: Instead of "My cat" try "My orange tabby cat Whiskers lounging in a sunbeam on the windowsill, looking sleepy with half-closed eyes"

Daily Themes:

• Monday: Nature & Outdoors
• Tuesday: Pets & Animal Friends
• Wednesday: Art & Creativity
• Thursday: Food & Cuisine
• Friday: Places & Spaces
• Saturday: People & Portraits
• Sunday: Wild Card (anything you choose!)

Duration

The challenge runs for one full week! Join in on any or all of the daily themes.

Community Showcase

I'll be boosting exceptional examples throughout the week and featuring creative descriptions. Your participation helps inspire others!

Supporting the Mission

If you find value in this challenge and want to support Altbot's continued development and accessibility work, you can contribute to the project at ko-fi.com/micr0byte. All funds go directly toward server costs, development, and expanding our accessibility initiatives. However, awareness and participation are the most important contributions!

Why This Matters

Every day, blind and low-vision people experience the Fediverse entirely through alt text. This challenge helps everyone understand why detailed image descriptions are so important first hand. Awareness is important!

Resources

• Challenge information and examples: micr0.dev/unseenChallenge
• The Art of Alt Text guide: micr0.dev/alttext

The challenge begins today! Who's ready to make the Fediverse more accessible while trying something new? Make sure to tag three friends who you think should join in!

#Accessibility #AltText #DigitalInclusion

Buy Micr0byte a Coffee. ko-fi.com/micr0byte

Become a supporter of Micr0byte today! ❤️ Ko-fi lets you support the creators you love.

^Ko-fi

Able to Play, a game repository that helps you find games that match your accessibility needs, just launched!

abletoplay.com

For gamedevs/game requests: Here's some info on how to make a game available on there:
help.abletoplay.com/docs/how-c…

It's still a young platform, so please give them lots of feedback to help improve it!

@games

#Games #Gaming #GameDev #AbleToPlay #Accessibility #A11Y

How can I request a game be available on AbleToPlay?

We prioritize games based on both the volume of requests for a particular game, and the order we receive the request in. If you'd like to request a game be made available on AbleToPlay, please let us know on Discord!

^{Arman (AbleToPlay)}

Yesterday at the #PlayStation concert, a young, blind man sat next to me.

We got talking and it turns out he is an accessibility consultant for companies, including video game developers and has worked with Sony on God of War and other products!

He goes by his handle: Sightless Kombat.

He is entirely #blind from birth, but loves video games so is passionate about accessibility in the sector.

I told him to come join Mastodon as I think it’s the friendliest social network for visual impairments, he said he was thinking of joining but wasn’t sure which instance was good. I’m not sure if there is one that’s dedicated to visual impairment? I just told him to join mstdn.games 😅

Anyway, here’s his YouTube & Twitch channels, and website if you’re interested in seeing what he has to offer. The dude has platinumed God of War Ragnarok on its hardest difficulty, what a legend!

YouTube: youtube.com/@sightlesskombat?s…

Twitch: twitch.tv/sightlesskombat

Website: sightlesskombat.com/

#disability #disabled #Accessibility

SightlessKombat - Twitch

I'm an award-winning, multi-credited accessibility consultant and gamer without sight from the UK. If you ever thought "how can someone with no sight play a videogame?", you've come to the right place for answers! Relax, say hi and see just how I enj…

^Twitch

Any accessibility additions is a win for everyone!

Valve announces accessibility tags for Steam - Can I Play That?

caniplaythat.com/2025/04/23/va…

#Valve #Accessibility #Steam #PC #Gaming

It bothers me quite a lot that in the `ariaNotify` explainer, relating to a more robust mechanism for web apps to fire #screenReader messages, #braille is demoted to a "future consideration". Even there, it's listed under a heading of "Braille and speech markup", as though it doesn't even warrant a devoted section of its own.

Braille being treated with the same priority of speech is long overdue. We're clearly not there yet.

github.com/MicrosoftEdge/MSEdg…
#accessibility

MSEdgeExplainers/Accessibility/AriaNotify/explainer.md at main · MicrosoftEdge/MSEdgeExplainers

Home for explainer documents originated by the Microsoft Edge team - MicrosoftEdge/MSEdgeExplainers

^GitHub

Be part of the #accessibility resistance. Make your digital shit #accessible

etsy.com/uk/listing/1890790262…

If you open @smashingmag, you might (or might not) recognize the name on the latest article. 😁

Apologies in advance, it’s a long read, and there’s not a single line of code. But I’m a little bit proud of this one! ☺️

What you think?! #accessibility

smashingmagazine.com/2025/04/f…

Fostering An Accessibility Culture — Smashing Magazine

While there’s no definitive playbook for building an accessibility culture, Dani shares lessons from his experience in shaping it through habits rather than mandates.

^{Smashing Magazine}

“Hacking Accessible Pedestrian Signals is Not a Joke: It’s a Civil Rights Violation” from @LFLegal lflegal.com/2025/04/aps-hack/

Yeah, not only is this bad form it’s also potentially deadly. Lainey does a good job of laying out the history and what went into originally getting these in place. These jerks undermined it all.

#accessibility #a11y

Hacking Accessible Pedestrian Signals is Not a Joke: It's a Civil Rights Violation

On April 12, 2025 the top story on the Palo Alto (California) online news site was "Silicon Valley Crosswalk Buttons Apparently Hacked to Imitate Musk, Zuckerberg Voices" It told the story, covered by other media too, of how someone hacked into audi…

^{Law Office of Lainey Feingold}

Anyone who is blind, or who has worked with the blind, knows how expensive our technology can be. This couldn't be more true with relation to braille displays. Even the cheapest costs at least $799, and it's already behind the newest in that line, at $899. This is the Orbit Reader 20 and 20+. Now, a student in India wants to change that by creating a display that is truly affordable (under $50)! Please pass this on, so that we can give him greater recognition within the blind community. Even if it costs a bit more than he initially suspected it would, there is no excuse for the $2,000 to $5,000 average price of such technology when cheaper alternatives can be designed! He is determined to bring this to market, so let's help him do it and show our appreciation for his hard work on this life-changing project!

forbes.com/sites/kevinanderton…

#access #ACB #accessibility #affordability #blind #braille #BrailleDisplays #children #education #employment #independence #India #learning #NFB #ocr #parent #reading #science #school #students #teachers #technology #work #writing

#COSMIC is not even out of alpha and there's lots of #accessibility features already available!

There's more work to be done, for sure, but this is a very nice to see!

In-Process is out, featuring a hint on 2025.1 beta timing, details on the updated Basic Training for NVDA training module, our recent server updates, AND what you need to know about reading info in a command prompt. Read now: nvaccess.org/post/in-process-1…

And don't forget to subscribe to get the next edition (AND notification when the beta comes out) via email: eepurl.com/iuVyjo

#NVDA #NVDAsr #ScreenReader #Accessibility #News #Newsletter #Blog

In-Process 11th April 2025

We are getting close to a beta for NVDA 2025.1. We are on track for 2025.1 Beta 1 to be released early next week. Please do subscribe to be notified by email as soon as it is available! In the mean…

^{NV Access}