Appius’ Post

Wow!! A must read! One superb article from our Solutions Director, Phil Hazelton at Appius. Web accessibility in projects can so often be a box-ticking exercise. This should never be the case, and it's so much more than that. We live in a digital world, and I want that world to be inclusive. Extra follow-up info; https://lnkd.in/eNcQ5AFZ

Want to learn more about the common digital accessibility misconceptions? Read our full article here:

Did you know that every year, the number of web #accessibility lawsuits brought to federal court in the US sets a record? We are well past the point where accessibility was a novelty topic; by now, most professionals in the IT industry are familiar with it or have at least heard of it. However, the recent surge in interest has resulted in more professionals seeking to acquire accessibility skills and more companies seeking to build accessible products. What are some of the myths we need to debunk to make our products and services accessible to everyone? Here are a few examples: ⚠️ Myth 1: Digital accessibility is only for people with disabilities. ✅ Reality: Everyone benefits from accessibility. This includes people with temporary disabilities, older users, users with situational limitations (using a mobile device on a bumpy bus), and more. ⚠️ Myth 2: Accessibility is expensive and time-consuming. ✅ Reality: Accessibility doesn't have to be overwhelming. Small improvements can make a big difference, and accessibility can be built into the development process from the beginning to avoid costly fixes later. ⚠️ Myth 3: My site is already compliant, so I don't need to worry about accessibility. ✅ The reality: Accessibility standards evolve, and what was compliant yesterday may not be compliant today. Regular testing and updates are essential. ⚠️ Myth 4: Accessibility is only about websites. ✅ Reality: Accessibility applies to all digital products, including mobile applications, PDFs, and even documents shared internally. While following design best practices is a key component, accessibility is only achieved through the engagement of every team along the product lifecycle. Want to learn more about these common digital accessibility misconceptions? Read our full article here: https://lnkd.in/eYPMSUAe Via: Encora Inc.

♿️ With billions of people relying on Internet for education, employment, business & social interactions, here’s a free Chrome extension performs real-time audits of web pages to make them accessible. It identifies accessibility issues, ensuring compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2. Its primary function is to facilitate website owners, developers, and digital content creators in recognizing and rectifying accessibility barriers that may prevent people with disabilities from fully engaging with web content. ⭐️ ensuring that websites are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, becomes paramount for social, economical and financial inclusion. https://lnkd.in/gEiCGNEe

Accessibility testing ensures your digital content is usable by everyone, including those with disabilities. Here are some features your app could focus on to be more accessible: Keyboard Navigation: Some users rely solely on keyboards to navigate websites. Ensuring your site is keyboard-friendly makes it accessible to them. Screen Reader Compatibility: Screen readers help visually impaired users by reading aloud the content on the screen. Testing with screen readers ensures your information is conveyed accurately. Contrast Ratio: Proper contrast ratios make text readable for users with visual impairments. High contrast between text and background helps everyone read content more easily. By focusing on these areas, you create a more inclusive and user-friendly experience for all of us. #Accessibility #Inclusion #UserExperience #QA You can also read more about this topic on this nice post by James Sheasby:

Get Ready for the European Accessibility Act (EAA) 🌍 The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is set to reshape the digital landscape, introducing stringent accessibility requirements for products and services. This pivotal legislation aims to enhance user accessibility, particularly for the elderly and those with disabilities, across various digital platforms and products. For businesses, this means adapting to new standards in digital accessibility, ensuring that websites, mobile apps, and other digital interfaces are accessible to all users. The requirements focus on enhancing the user experience through adaptable user interfaces and accessible content. 👥 What can you do as a Product Owner or Manager? As the European Accessibility Act (EAA) approaches, it's crucial for product owners and managers to prepare their digital assets for compliance. Here's how you can start: -> Conduct Accessibility Audits: Evaluate your current offerings to identify areas that need enhancement. -> Redesign for Accessibility: Make necessary updates to ensure that all users can interact seamlessly with your products. -> Seek Expert Guidance: Understand the legal and technical requirements to ensure your products comply by the June 2025 deadline. Taking these steps will help ensure that your services are inclusive and accessible to all users. 🔗 Stay ahead of the curve by ensuring your digital products are accessible to everyone. Let’s make inclusivity the standard.

🌐 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗔𝗔𝗗 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁.𝗷𝘀 📢 This Global Accessibility Awareness Day, I explored how Next.js can help build inclusive web apps. My latest blog post covers practical accessibility tips - crafting accessible forms, using semantic HTML, proper labeling, focus management, and robust validation. Let's make the web more welcoming by prioritizing accessibility from the start. Join me in breaking down barriers and fostering a more equitable digital world. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gM-RST-k #DigitalInclusion #WebAccessibility #NextJS #GAAD2024

How a failed user test got me started with accessibility (and three reasons why it failed) I was running a user testing session on a website some years ago, before I had any idea about accessibility and screen readers. This person was blind, using a screen reader, and they had problems filling in a form. I instructed them to select the first option in a fancy drop down widget, but they just couldn't get to it with a keyboard. "But it's right there," I kept saying. "No, I can't get to it," they said. What the what!? I was just a deer in the headlights, completely stunned and utterly surprised by what was happening. That little widget that I was so proud of was making them feel frustrated and exhausted. Total surprise! Why was it a surprise though? 1. I didn't know what I didn't know. I wasn't aware that a lot of people will tab tab tab their way through a website. I had no idea about accessibility, people with disabilities, keyboard navigation - and semantic HTML apparently. 2. I was ignorant. I knew the tester will use a screen reader and still I thought everything will work fine. How different could it be? I did no research. 3. I wasn't prepared. Because I thought everything will go smoothly, I didn't bother to prepare for the what-if. What if something goes wrong and we can't finish the test? No preparation lead to me babbling my way through it all, probably annoying them and running the clock. That whole experience left both of us frustrated. I felt that I wasted their time and they just felt exhausted at the end. It made me realise that the way I was designing and building things on the web was excluding a whole lot of people. And that got me started on the path I am today. How did you get started?

🌟 Excited to share my latest article on Medium! 🚀 🌐 "Accessibility Explained: Why It’s Essential for Websites?" 🌐 In today's fast-paced digital landscape, accessibility isn't just a buzzword; it's a cornerstone of inclusive design. From web developers to content creators, we all have a role to play in making the digital world more accessible to everyone, regardless of abilities or limitations. In my article, I delve into the significance of accessibility, exploring how it goes beyond compliance to enrich user experiences for all. From the fundamentals of WCAG 2 guidelines to the transformative potential of assistive technologies, I shed light on how small changes can make a big impact in fostering digital inclusivity. Link: https://lnkd.in/g78wvNKH Check out the article and let's spark conversations that drive positive change together! 🔍💡 #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #DigitalInclusion #AssistiveTechnologies #UserExperience #TechForGood

Accessibility overlays are not for disabled people by Martin Underhill “Accessibility overlays are for non-disabled people by non-disabled people. The only way to properly address accessibility issues is at the product development level: carefully considered designs and well written code. Adding a single line of JavaScript to your website or app is not the answer.” #accessibility #a11y #AccessibilityOverlay #AccessibilityWidget