Author: Mary Gillen

ACCESSIBLE DIAGRAMS: The Talking Flow Chart

Posted on by Mary Gillen

A diagram that depicts a procedure or process is called a flowchart.

Another definition of a flowchart is a diagrammatic representation of an algorithm or a step-by-step process for addressing a problem.

Accessible Talking Flow Chart

How do you make this type of schematic accessible to the largest number of website visitors?

SOLUTION: Provide the information in different formats in addition to displaying the flow chart image:

1) Text Transcript – This text can be accessed by screen readers that describes the step-by-step process depicted in the flow chart graphic.

2) “Talking” Flow Chart – An audio file that can be played using an accessible audio player embedded on the website page. This means that people with low vision or who only use a keyboard to navigate a web page don’t have to use a screen reader to get to the information.

3) Audio in Different Languages – Offer the same “talking” flow chart information in different languages for customers and prospects in other countries.

To see these three solutions in action, visit the Talking Flow Chart page of Accessible Talking Charts.

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ACCESSIBILITY TESTING: Try the Windows Narrator Screen-Reading App

Posted on by Mary Gillen

Windows Screen Narrator

Check out the Microsoft Windows Narrator screen-reading app, available via the Windows 10 & 11 operating systems.

To stop/start the Narrator, use the keyboard combo Windows + Ctrl + Enter.

The app also automatically draws a box by default to indicate visible focus.

Windows Narrator works in the whole environment, not just with browsers.

Click here to access the complete Windows Narrator Guide.

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PDF Accessibility Remediation How to Fix 40 Common Errors

Whether you have limited experience with the PDF remediation process, are expanding your knowledge on how to remediate PDFs, or simply need a resource that can help remind you how to fix a frustrating error, the info provided in this e-book can help.

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ACCESSIBLE CHARTS: Creative Color Contrast Tip for Better Visual Design

Posted on by Mary Gillen

Illustration of people creating and using charts

In the Smashing Magazine article “An Accessibility-First Approach To Chart Visual Design“, authors Kent Eisenhuth & Kai Chang discuss how an accessibility-first approach led them down the path of creating a better visual design for charts.

The article includes info on the unique way the authors sidestepped the WCAG 2.1 color contrast requirement to improve the design of a chart:

“While WCAG recommends that all colors achieve a 3:1 contrast ratio with the white background, we found some ways to work within the guidelines yet use a broader range of values. Since we’re now using multiple encodings (e.g., color shades and box height) to communicate meaning, we realized our options opened up a bit.

To achieve the required contrast ratio, we added end caps to the top and bottom of each box. These end caps are 3px in thickness and achieve a 4.5:1 contrast ratio. We added subtle rounded corners to give it visual appeal and to ensure it fits within the aesthetic of Google’s Material Design system.

End caps on chart graph

Since the end caps’ position varies, and they achieve the required contrast ratio, we could then apply a broader range of shades to the box fills to strengthen meaning and create a more appealing visual design. We could then use light tones that did not originally achieve the required contrast ratio. We can see an example of this in practice below. The addition of the endcaps was a clever way to ensure low-vision and colorblind users could still read the graph.”

Chart graph with end caps

Read the rest of An Accessibility-First Approach To Chart Visual Design here.

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PDF Accessibility Remediation How to Fix 40 Common Errors

Whether you have limited experience with the PDF remediation process, are expanding your knowledge on how to remediate PDFs, or simply need a resource that can help remind you how to fix a frustrating error, the info provided in this e-book can help.

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ACCESSIBILITY TESTING: How to Enable Keyboard Accessibility on a Mac

Posted on by Mary Gillen

Illustration of keyboard tab keys

Did you know that keyboard accessibility is NOT enabled by default on a Mac?

As a result, your accessibility and screen reader test results will be inaccurate.

Check out Deque University’s tutorial on how to enable System Preferences and Safari Preferences for keyboard accessibility on the Mac.

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PDF Accessibility Remediation How to Fix 40 Common Errors

Whether you have limited experience with the PDF remediation process, are expanding your knowledge on how to remediate PDFs, or simply need a resource that can help remind you how to fix a frustrating error, the info provided in this e-book can help.

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ACCESSIBILITY NEWS: DOJ Issues Web Accessibility Guidance Under the ADA

Posted on by Mary Gillen

Department of Justice Logo

On Friday, March 18, 2022, The Department of Justice published guidance on web accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It explains how state and local governments (entities covered by ADA Title II) and businesses open to the public (entities covered by ADA Title III) can make sure their websites are accessible to people with disabilities in line with the ADA’s requirements.

Find out more about the March 18 DOJ announcement.

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PDF Accessibility Remediation How to Fix 40 Common Errors

Whether you have limited experience with the PDF remediation process, are expanding your knowledge on how to remediate PDFs, or simply need a resource that can help remind you how to fix a frustrating error, the info provided in this e-book can help.

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ACCESSIBLE WORDLE: Get the Chrome Extension

Posted on by Mary Gillen

Wordle is an online word game that you can play every day. It’s simple, enjoyable, and, like a crossword puzzle, can only be completed once per day. There’s a new word of the day every 24 hours, and it’s up to you to find out what it is.

wordle screen

Want to make Wordle accessible to your screenreader?

Install this Chrome extension on your Mac, Windows or Linux PC.

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PDF Accessibility Remediation How to Fix 40 Common Errors

Whether you have limited experience with the PDF remediation process, are expanding your knowledge on how to remediate PDFs, or simply need a resource that can help remind you how to fix a frustrating error, the info provided in this e-book can help.

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TESTING TOOL: SQLime – Mobile-Friendly SQLite Playground

Posted on by Mary Gillen

Illustrations of Limes

SQLime is an online SQLite playground for debugging and sharing SQL snippets. Kinda like JSFiddle, but for SQL instead of JavaScript.

SQLime console window

SQLime’s features include:

Mobile friendly
Most playgrounds are not meant for small screens. SQLime was specifically designed and tested on mobile devices.

Full-blown database in the browser
SQLime is backed by the latest version of SQLite, provided by an excellent sql.js project. It provides a full-featured SQL implementation, including indexes, triggers, views, transactions, CTEs, window functions and execution plans.

Connect any data source
Connect any local or remote SQLite database. Both files and URLs are supported. For example, try loading the Employees database from the GitHub repo.

Save and share with others
SQLime saves both the database and the queries to GitHub so that you can revisit them later or share them with a colleague. The database is stored as a plain text SQL dump, so it’s easy to read the code or import data into PostgreSQL, MySQL, or other databases.

Secure and private
There is no server. SQLime works completely in the browser. The GitHub API token is also stored locally. Queries are saved as private GitHub gists within your account. Your data is yours only.

Dead simple
SQLime has zero third-party dependencies other than SQLite (sql.js). Good old HTML, CSS, and vanilla JS — that’s all. No frameworks, no heavy editors, no obsolete and vulnerable libraries. Just some modular open-source code, which is easy to grasp and extend.

Use SQLime now.

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PDF Accessibility Remediation How to Fix 40 Common Errors

Whether you have limited experience with the PDF remediation process, are expanding your knowledge on how to remediate PDFs, or simply need a resource that can help remind you how to fix a frustrating error, the info provided in this e-book can help.

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ACCESSIBILITY TESTING: taba11y Chrome Extension

Posted on by Mary Gillen

Illustration of keyboard tab keys

Tab order is important for a wide range of website visitors, from keyboard-only to screen reader users. By ensuring that the tab order is logical, you can provide a great user experience for as many people as possible.

taba11y is a Chrome extension that calculates the tab order of all elements on a web page and displays it visually, either by drawing a path or by highlighting the elements.

taba11y visual sample of tab order

Add the taba11y extension to your Chrome browser now.

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PDF Accessibility Remediation How to Fix 40 Common Errors

Whether you have limited experience with the PDF remediation process, are expanding your knowledge on how to remediate PDFs, or simply need a resource that can help remind you how to fix a frustrating error, the info provided in this e-book can help.

Download now.

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GRAPHICS TOOL: Remove Image Background

Posted on by Mary Gillen

Remove background image

Remove.bg is a free web-based service that enables you to remove the background of any photo.

It works 100% automatically – no need to manually select the background/foreground layers to separate them. Just select your image and instantly download the result image with the background removed.

The free “preview” version allows you to download a good quality version of your original image. A “subscription” or “pay as you go” plan allows you to download the full size HD version of your uploaded image.

The tool desktop versions are available for:

Windows: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit)
Mac: macOS 10.10 or newer (64-bit)
Linux: Ubuntu/Debian (64-bit)

There is also a Photoshop extension that supports Adobe Photoshop CC (2021) 22.0 for Mac and Windows.

Get a transparent background for any image. Try Remove.bg now.

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PDF Accessibility Remediation How to Fix 40 Common Errors

Whether you have limited experience with the PDF remediation process, are expanding your knowledge on how to remediate PDFs, or simply need a resource that can help remind you how to fix a frustrating error, the info provided in this e-book can help.

Download now.

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ACCESSIBLE DEVELOPMENT: Does Your Code Work with Assistive Technologies?

Posted on by Mary Gillen

Aria attribute testing results

Will your code work with assistive technologies?

Check out Accessibility Support.

It’s a community-driven website that aims to help inform developers about the code that is supported according to WCAG 2.x level AA guidelines.

The information provided on the website is not to tell you what you can or cannot use, but is designed to help reduce the amount of manual research that needs to happen in order for developers to make good decisions.

You will also find info on how to use different assistive technologies and detailed instructions about how to perform accessibility testing.

Go to Accessibility Support now.

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PDF Accessibility Remediation How to Fix 40 Common Errors

Whether you have limited experience with the PDF remediation process, are expanding your knowledge on how to remediate PDFs, or simply need a resource that can help remind you how to fix a frustrating error, the info provided in this e-book can help.

Download now.

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