Blogs

IAAP Network and Learn Event - 16th October

By Sophie Stevens posted 10-13-2025
The IAAP’s (International Association of Accessibility Professionals) ‘Network & Learn’ events are especially for IAAP members, plus anyone considering becoming a member. The topic for October's event is “Vocal accessibility in system design and the new code of practice from the British Standards Institute.” This month Nick Freear, Senior Accessibility Consultant at AbilityNet, will be sharing an overview on the new code of practice for voice-powered services, and how we can test those services for accessibility. From Alexa and Siri to voice-powered tech such as phones and cars – the new guidelines will help set a standard about how voice-powered ...

Free EAA webinar: Are you ready for the European Accessibility Act?

By Kelly Chan posted 03-03-2025
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) will become law across the European Union in June 2025, impacting businesses that sell to consumers in the EU, including those operating from the UK. Our series of three webinars will help you take a step-by-step approach to prepare for the June 2025 deadline of the European Accessibility Act. Register your place for the first EAA webinar . What is the EAA? Who does it apply to? What do you need to do? Testing requirements. What to do about documentation. And much more. Submit your questions for our expert panellists as you register. Who will benefit from this webinar? This webinar will be ...

Introduction to accessible PDFs - free webinar

By Kelly Chan posted 01-03-2025
Creating documents such as PDFs with digital accessibility in mind will help you ensure that your content can be read and understood by as wide an audience as possible. That's why AbilityNet is excited to offer a webinar on " Introduction to Accessible PDFs " . Why Accessible PDFs Matter PDFs are a common format for sharing documents, but they can often be a barrier for disabled people if not created with accessibility in mind. This could be staff trying to access information or your customers downloading content off your website. Accessible PDFs ensure that all users, including those who use screen readers or other assistive technologies, can access ...

TechShare Pro 2024: Europe's largest accessibility and inclusion event returns!

By Kelly Chan posted 09-23-2024
AbilityNet’s TechShare Pro conference returns this November for the eighth year. Taking place online and in-person on 13 and 14 November 2024, the event will be hosted by HSBC at Canary Wharf. TechShare Pro is the premier gathering for the global disability and tech community, spotlighting ground-breaking topics such as the European Accessibility Act, Accessibility Leadership and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Accessibility. An exciting addition this year is the Disability and Advertising Summit, bringing together leading figures from the advertising and marketing industry, disability influencers and accessibility experts. Brands such as ...

How to combine EDI and Accessibility in an organization

By Angèle Joanne Charlebois posted 08-23-2024
There's a trend happening in organzations where Accessibility is included in EDI work (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion). The Government of Canada is adopting that concept and calling it "IDEA work". I am hoping to find someone I can have a discussion about strategies on how to integrate EDI work with Accessibility in an organization. I can make myself available after my summer holidays (after September 12, 2024). Feel free to send me an email and I will reply after September 12, 2024 ([email protected]). Thank you kindly. Angèle & Mylo (Hearing Ear Service Dog).

Take the Annual State of Digital Accessibility Survey: Make Your Voice Heard!

By Lourdes Arreola posted 08-23-2024
We’re seeking your valuable insights to drive digital accessibility forward. This anonymous survey, conducted by Level Access , IAAP, and G3ict, aims to explore how organizations are tackling accessibility—covering their goals, challenges, and strategies. Your participation will contribute to the Sixth Annual State of Digital Accessibility Report, a critical resource for advancing accessibility initiatives worldwide. The survey takes less than 15 minutes to complete. Participate here: https://shorturl.at/qt5zs 🗓️ Deadline: August 29, 2024 Let’s shape the future of digital accessibility together! Level Access ...

Digital Accessibility Solutions Director - Magic EdTech

By Tarveen Kaur posted 07-05-2021
Inviting candidates who have experience in designing and delivering e-learning products and platforms (curriculum and technology platforms) which meet the digital accessibility standards like 508, ADA, WCAG2.X, etc. IAAP certified professionals who have worked in consulting / solutions development roles in technology, Edtech and Publishing companies are best suited for this role. Magic Edtech is committed to making digital learning accessible to all. The company is based in midtown Manhattan-based(NYC). Exposure to Technology or EdTech or the Publishing businesses would be helpful. The candidate will be responsible to network in the education market and guide ...

Modal accessibility

By Lauren Baroud posted 06-10-2021
Hello Community! My question today is around accessibility for modals. When a webpage loads, a screen reader will automatically start reading out everything on the page unless you begin to interact with the page. I was wondering if a modal should behave the same way when it's visibility is triggered by the user. In the current case I am working with, once the modal is opened, the screen reader identifies to the user that the modal was opened and the focus state is on the modal's "close" button, but the content is not read automatically, only when you use a command. Is this enough to meet compliance? Thanks, Lauren

Join the Festival of Accessibility - Virtual Conference

By Lisa Smyth posted 04-29-2021
Join the Festival of Accessibility! On Thursday, May 20, 2021 our partners at Texthelp are hosting their first ever Festival of Accessibility & Inclusion. Mark the occasion with and join the free, 1-day virtual conference about online accessibility and digital inclusion. Celebrate the amazing achievements that have been made in the A11Y space. Understand where we are now. And let’s chat about how we can go beyond what’s required by accessibility law and achieve true digital inclusion. The Festival of Accessibility is for you if you... Want to understand the legal requirements around accessibility Crave ...

My Most Recent Accessibility Article on Medium

By JoLynne Walz Martinez posted 04-14-2021
No Mouse, No Monitor

So I've started writing articles about accessibility for Medium ...

By JoLynne Walz Martinez posted 04-08-2021
If you'd like to take a look, here's a link to my first article on that site, The day I learned I was deaf . I'm currently working toward WAS certification.

The Shift-Left Approach for Web App Accessibility Testing

By Sanjeev Sinha posted 02-22-2021
The Shift-Left Approach for Web App Accessibility Testing(WireFrames) Sanjeev Sinha, Web Accessibility Specialist Shift Left is a practice intended to find and prevent defects early in the software delivery process. The idea is to improve quality by moving tasks to the left as early in the lifecycle as possible. Shift Left testing means testing earlier in the software development process. The accessibility testing journey starts with Feature’s UX design. When UX finalize the Wireframe for the application they must include the following information also in wireframes Text Size, Color Contrast of each HTML elements according ...

My Money My Choice: Financial Independence for Saudis with Disabilities

By Aya Jibreal posted 02-04-2021
Written by: Ay Abdullah Jibreal My Twitter AlQemam Consultants The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made numerous efforts across its various economic sectors in pursuit of providing livelihoods to all citizens of various genders and spectrums . The aim is to ensure Persons with Disabilities can secure a decent life and be on an equal footing with other individuals without the slightest physical or psychological discrimination, respecting them and supporting their autonomy. Perhaps one of the most prominent of these efforts is the issuance earlier this year of the Saudi Central Bank "SAMA", a ...

Introduction

By Alice Wershing posted 12-16-2020
Hello everyone, My name is Alice Wershing and I am the Technology Specialist for Disability Services at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville Tennessee. We have 5 campus locations (4 in Knoxville and 1 outside Knoxville). I am also the Regional Accessibility Specialist for TNecampus. I have been at Pellissippi 7 years, and have focused on both assistive technology tools for our students and accessibility. I began working in the assistive technology field in 1987 in California and continued in Knoxville as well, where our center covered 24 counties. I hold both the RESNA and CPAAC credentials, and have a Masters degree in Special Education. I'm ...

Live streaming video player

By Mariya Andrianova posted 07-28-2020
Hi group! I have a live streaming video player that can be hidden by collapsing its parent container. I'm wondering if such a player must have Stop/Pause buttons. Thank you!

Accessibility Leadership and the Art of Persuasion

By Neil Milliken posted 04-28-2020
If you are reading this it is likely because you have a passion for accessibility and are engaged in work to make your organisation more inclusive. One of the biggest challenges facing any person leading their organisational change towards accessibility is winning the hearts and minds of colleagues across the organisation. Often organisations are starting from a very low level of awareness and maturity. Not everyone is going to share your passion and there may be considerable resistance to change and inertia. I would like to look at how as a leader we can effectively respond to some of the common challenges to our requests to implement accessibility. I’m ...

Community of Practice (CoP) kick off call

By Jodie Greer posted 02-19-2020
It would be great if you can join us on Friday February 21st for our CoP kick off call, at: 3pm GMT; 6pm AST ; 10am EST; 7am PST. As Taskforce Chair I will lead the discussion and am grateful to be joined by co-presenter and Taskforce member Neil Eustice (Diversity & Knowledge Manager KPMG). An overview of planning to date will be shared with a focus on the first proposed domain of a dedicated Body of Knowledge: Strategic Leadership . Please put the time and dial in details in to your calendar and share with those who may also wish to attend. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/225624305 Meeting ID: 225 624 305 ...

Seeking an Accessibility Regulatory Strategist

By Scott Wilmarth posted 02-13-2020
Cerner is looking to hire a Regulatory Strategist specializing in software accessibility design and development best practices. Please see the position details on our career website . #Closed

Create form fields in Excel for Accessibility

By Sathishkumar Duraikkannu posted 11-15-2019
Hi, As an effort of making the spread sheet accessible, I want to create text form fields in Excel spread sheet. When attempted to do this, I see the three form controls (Text field, Combo list and Combo Drop Down) are disabled under Legacy form controls. Could any one from the connection help in finding solution on this. I use MS Office version 2013. I don't want to use Text field, Combo list and Combo Drop Down from Active X Controls, as it requires VB coding. Thanks, Sathish

Strategic Leader in Accessibility – making common sense more commonplace - by Jodie Greer - IAAP SLiA Taskforce Chair

By Tracey Shipman posted 11-08-2019
Strategic Leader in Accessibility – making common sense more commonplace Jodie Greer - SLiA Taskforce Chair; IT Accessibility Lead for Shell and also chairs the enABLE Network for Shell UK How would you and your business benefit from a Strategic Leader in Accessibility (SLiA) Certification? As an individual who understands the value accessibility brings to a business, this certification would give you the tools, knowledge, and proven credibility to determine strategic plans, influence senior stakeholders, and ultimately set your business up for success. As a business , having a certified Strategic Leader in Accessibility in your ...