#Inclusive Web Design

[adasitecompliance]

Accessibility Benefits For Businesses

ADA Site Compliance shows the benefits of accessibility for businesses!

[dhrubo-organization]

Understanding Topical Maps of Websites

Navigating the Digital Landscape In the vast expanse of the digital world, websites serve as virtual domains where information, services, and experiences are exchanged. To help callers travel this  expansive digital terrain,  introducers  constantly employ an important tool known as a” Topical Map.” This informative composition delves into the idea of Topical Maps of websites, exploring their…

[winding-maze]

I've made a major update to my website: it now uses Inclusive Sans by Olivia King as the main text font.

It is a dyslexia-friendly font and will hopefully make my website easier on the eyes, especially the text-heavy sections with the art commission info. I wish I'd known about this font earlier!

https://dona.neocities.org

Read more about Inclusive Sans: https://www.oliviaking.com/inclusive-sans

[ashethenerd]

Disaster struck earlier today, and my electricity was shut off. This is the dead of summer. For this reason, I'm opening up emergency commissions. There are 3 slots available. However, I'm only taking 2. My prices are a bit up there because of the time and effort it takes to make a website, so this is only geared toward a company or individual who can afford it. Please do not put yourself in the hole for me. You can commission me on Ko-Fi.

[theseoblogspace]

Improving Website Accessibility for Small Businesses

Did you know that about 16% of people worldwide have a permanent disability1? This fact shows how crucial it is for small businesses to make their websites accessible to everyone. In fact, 70% of shoppers want brands to take action on social issues, including making websites easy for people with disabilities1. More than 90% of people don’t complain about website issues, but 69% with disabilities…

[lollypopvietnam]

Inclusive Design: Design Approach for All Users

In this article, we'll dive deeper into understanding the definition of Inclusive Design, its benefits, and the principles of Inclusive Design as outlined by Microsoft. 

Note: While Inclusive Design can be applied to optimize most products in life, the examples that Lollypop will provide in this article will focus on its applications in digital products such as Websites and Apps.

[akwyz]

Empower Digital Inclusion: Strategic Approaches to Technology Accessibility.

Dive into the inspiring journey of Nadia Törnroos on #AXSChat! From student to #accessibility advocate, discover how education, community, & tech drive change. Hosted by Antonio santos, Debra Ruh & Neil Milliken. Don't miss this powerful conversation.

In a world increasingly reliant on digital spaces, ensuring accessibility for all is a necessity and a moral imperative. This week on AXSChat, we’re thrilled to feature Nadia Törnroos, a luminary in the field of accessibility whose journey from a curious student to a fervent advocate offers profound insights into the challenges and triumphs of making the digital world inclusive for…

[shawnjordison]

How to Make PDFs Accessible | Episode 10: Clovis Community College

Explore essential techniques for PDF Accessibility! (Blog Series Episode 10) #DocumentAccessibility, #InclusiveDesign, #PDFAccessibility, #WebAccessibility, #DigitalInclusion, #AccessibleContent, #WCAG, #AssistiveTech, #AdobeAcrobat, #ScreenReaders

Welcome to episode 10 on community college PDF accessibility. Today, we focus on two documents from Clovis Community College. The first was already accessible, while the second required complex fixes. Video Guide In case you missed them, here are Episode 1, Episode 2,  Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8 and Episode 9 in our PDF Accessibility Community College…

[seohabibi]

Unlock the full potential of your online presence with "Inclusive SEO Best Practices: Ensuring Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities." Learn how to create a digital space that welcomes everyone by implementing accessibility measures. This comprehensive guide covers strategies to enhance your website's usability, cater to diverse user needs, and boost overall inclusivity. Elevate your SEO game while making a positive impact on users of all abilities.

[ideadeco]

Press Release: Web Accessibility Content Creators Meetup

#PressRelease Η Χριστίνα Σαρρή, η Αρετή Βάσσου και ο Αντώνης Ζεάκης παρουσίασαν τις διαφορετικές πλευρές του Web Accessibility στο Content Creators Meetup. #WebAccessibility #WCAG #CreatorEconomy #IdeadecoMeetups

Την Δευτέρα 30 Ιανουαρίου 2023, πραγματοποιήθηκε το Content Creators Meetup by Ideadeco, με θεματική το Web Accessibility στα websites, blogs, eshops και στα social media. Η Χριστίνα Σαρρή, η Αρετή Βάσσου και ο Αντώνης Ζεάκης παρουσίασαν τις διαφορετικές πλευρές του Web Accessibility. Το Content Creators Meetup: Web Accessibility φιλοξενήθηκε στον σύγχρονο coworking χώρο του Spaces Theanous,…

[adasitecompliance]

Accessible Website Design

Top Seventeen Web Accessibility Myths Debunked: Separating Fact from Fiction

Accessibility is no longer a ‘luxury’.

Incorporating accessibility into a website today comes part and parcel with web development. With the internet harboring users with and without disabilities who use it for information, bookings, enrollments, purchases, and even jobs, websites need to be compliant.

Unfortunately, many aren’t because some misconceptions and myths cause confusion and hesitance to hinder progress. So here’s an attempt at separating fact from fiction by debunking the top 17 common web accessibility myths.

Remember, web accessibility is no longer just a legal requirement; it’s part of digital inclusivity. It increases your reach and demonstrates your commitment to serving everyone in your community.

If achieving compliance seems overwhelming, we at ADA Site Compliance can simplify things for you. Our team of accessibility experts can help you meet these requirements while you focus on your core business.

Top 17 Web Accessibility Myths Debunked

Let’s now examine these widely misinterpreted web content accessibility principles and guidelines. At the end of the article, you will realize that all those misconceptions you had about web compliance are just myths.

Myth #1- Web Accessibility is Only for Blind People and Users with Visual Impairments

False.

Other people with varied disabilities, such as deafness, limited motor skills, and cognitive limitations, also visit websites for various reasons. An accessible website gives them access to the information they seek, ensuring your website reaches more people.

Myth #2- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Compliance Ensures Digital Accessibility

False.

Yes, the WCAG provides a framework to enhance digital accessibility. However, compliance alone is not enough for a completely accessible website. Website owners and developers must understand and implement the WCAG principles, as factors like cumbersome user interfaces, poor content, and insufficient testing can lead to incompliant websites.

Myth #3- Accessibility is Only About Making Websites Accessible

False.

Accessibility applies to other digital assets, including mobile applications, PDFs, and other digital documents. Organizations must thus ensure accessibility across all digital platforms for inclusive digital experiences.

Myth #4- Accessibility is Only Relevant for Disabled People

False.

It is not just people with disabilities that benefit from website accessibility. Digital compliance features benefits extend to broader groups, including:

Older adults facing sensory or cognitive challenges as they age

Individuals with temporary disabilities due to injury, illness, or surgery

People experiencing situational limitations, like background noise

Non-native speakers struggling with language barriers hindering understanding and engagement

Myth #5- Accessibility Means Redesigning a Less Visually Appealing Website

False.

Many businesses believe digital accessibility requires a complete website overhaul or poor visual appeal, which is far from the truth. Minor adjustments can significantly create an accessible digital experience without significant redesign efforts.

Myth #6- Digital Accessibility is Only a Concern for Large Corporations

False.

Size is not a criterion for digital accessibility; failure to meet the many digital accessibility laws can lead to legal repercussions and damage a company’s reputation.

Small businesses may face resource constraints, but the numerous tools and online resources can help them understand and ensure web compliance. Embedding accessibility practices from the start ensures web compliance for companies of all sizes.

Myth #7- Accessibility Limits Websites to Text-Only Content

False.

The myth that accessible websites must be plain, text-heavy, and free of multimedia elements stems from earlier text-based web pages. However, modern standards allow visually engaging, multimedia-rich websites that meet diverse accessibility needs.

Strategies like adding alt text for images and captions and transcripts to videos ensure compatibility with assistive technologies. It not only supports users with disabilities but also enhances everyone’s user experience.

Myth #8- All It Takes Is A Quick Technical Fix For an Accessible Website

False.

Web compliance is more than a simple technological adjustment. True accessibility is not just a developer’s responsibility but the joint effort of various teams, including design, testing, and content creation. Relying solely on automated tools or accessibility overlays does not ensure comprehensive accessibility.

Myth #9- Accessibility Can Be Addressed Last-Minute with Simple Fixes

False.

While adding elements like alt text at the last minute may seem convenient, genuine accessibility requires careful planning and integration. Last-minute changes usually require significant counterproductive restructuring, which may harm the user experience, especially for those requiring accessible design.

Besides, including alt text in sites is only one piece of the accessibility puzzle. A truly compliant website involves various other steps, including:

Semantic HTML tags to structure content and enhance readability and interaction.

Keyboard Navigation of the website.

Color Contrast to make text and images readable.

Focus Management highlights elements currently in use for better navigation and clarity.

Using Selective ARIA when necessary to support assistive technologies, as overuse can create confusion.

An accessible design demands proactive attention to these elements throughout development rather than depending on quick fixes at the end.

Myth #10- Accessibility is Expensive and Time-Consuming

False.

Integrating accessibility into an existing website can seem complex, require multiple resources, and be time-consuming. However, prioritizing accessibility from the start can significantly reduce most associated challenges.

In fact, with the right planning and skilled development teams, accessibility can be achieved with minimal additional time and resources as an integral part of the development process.

AI-powered accessibility tools also make digital accessibility more affordable and accessible for all website owners to use and ensure websites are accessible for individuals with disabilities. They help achieve substantial accessibility improvements in just a few hours by automating the detection and correction of many common accessibility issues.

Myth #11- Achieving Web Accessibility Is Overly Complicated

False.

Web accessibility standards can seem complex, but their implementation is not complicated. Multiple tools and resources are available to help developers and website owners ensure digital accessibility.

It is better to start with basic principles, such as providing alternative text for images and ensuring keyboard navigation, and then later delve deeper into more advanced techniques.

Besides, remember that automated accessibility testing alone cannot guarantee complete digital accessibility. Automated tools can help identify issues such as color contrast and structural errors.

However, they cannot fully address complex challenges like unclear language and intricate site designs. Human review by accessibility experts is crucial in ensuring website compliance.

Myth #12- Accessibility is Just a “Nice-to-Have” Feature

False.

Ensuring website compliance is not an option; it is a strategic move with significant potential to impact your business success. An accessible website can do a lot for your business, such as attracting a larger audience, driving higher revenue, enhancing brand reputation, and mitigating legal risks.

Besides, with legal scrutiny, accessibility can no longer be an option. A website owner does not want a lawsuit, considering the financial and reputational risks of overlooking accessibility efforts.

Myth #13- Accessibility is All About Avoiding Legal Trouble

False.

Contrary to popular belief, accessibility is not only about meeting legal requirements to avoid lawsuits. Legal compliance is essential, but its benefits extend far beyond this. For example, implementing accessible design dramatically enhances user experience and boosts your brand’s reputation.

Besides, accessible content opens your entire website or application to a broader audience, ultimately increasing user satisfaction and building loyalty.

Myth #14- Digital Accessibility is Optional

False.

Accessibility is more than an option; it is a requirement in many countries, enforced through laws and regulations. It may not be the top priority for all website owners, but digital compliance is essential for ethical reasons and for creating an inclusive experience for everyone.

Following accessibility standards helps meet legal obligations and ensures your website reaches a broader audience, including individuals with disabilities.

Myth #15- It’s Better To Have Separate Websites for Disabled Users

False.

It was previously thought that having a separate website for users with disabilities ensured accessibility for disabled people. However, this strategy is ineffective and biased, as managing multiple websites is expensive and work-intensive and can lead to content and performance discrepancies.

It is, instead, better to design and develop a website that is inherently accessible to everybody from the beginning.

Myth #16- Accessibility is a One-Time Fix

False.

Many people think digital accessibility is a one-time fix, with nothing else to do once experts ensure compliance. This misconception has led to poorly designed products that users cannot effectively access.

On the contrary, web compliance requires constant commitment and oversight, with continual integration of accessibility features from the initial design through ongoing maintenance. Website owners and developers must regularly review and update the website to meet evolving accessibility standards and user needs.

Myth #17- Only Disabled Individuals Can Test To Ensure Accessibility

No, this is false.

Disabled individuals who frequently rely on assistive technology are effective accessibility testers. However, they are not the only people equipped to evaluate accessibility. All that is needed are the proper training and accessibility testing tools to become adept at identifying and addressing accessibility issues.

Closing thoughts

Dispelling these seventeen myths should inspire a more inclusive web design and development mindset. Remember, accessibility is a legal requirement and moral commitment to making the digital world available to everyone, regardless of individual abilities.

By prioritizing accessibility in our choices, we can create a more equitable, user-friendly online experience for all. It also increases your reach and demonstrates your commitment to serving everyone in your community.

Do not worry if achieving compliance seems overwhelming. We at ADA Site Compliance can simplify things for you. We have a team of accessibility experts who can help you meet these requirements while you focus on your core business!

[genderqueerpositivity]

Absolutely fuckin wild that SCOTUS delivered a blow to LGBTQ inclusive nondiscrimination laws nationwide based on that case...because one web designer went to court to have the "right" to refuse to design wedding websites for same gender couples hypothetically.

Hypothetically, because no one even tried to hire her to do that. But this is the outcome.

I hope Lorie Smith never has a day of peace ever again.

...And they just stuck down the Biden administrations student loan forgiveness program.

Fuck SCOTUS.

[prettyoddfever]

This off-white t-shirt that was for sale at some shows during the 2008 Honda Civic Tour was really popular and was usually the one you'd see people asking other fans to grab for them in late spring because their show sold out in their size. This is the shirt that was sewn into a vest for Ryan that season btw:

FBR added this shirt to their webstore in August 2008 and some sizes sold out quickly but then got restocked. I remember some people complaining that FBR's shirt was a slightly different color than the one on tour, but others said it was the same. Idk, it looked like the same general off-white color to me. The band's name was still on the back of the right sleeve:

I liked this design because it was SO different from most t-shirt designs in this era (like in general, not just PATD) and was way more minimalist. A fan created some pngs that we could print out to iron on our own shirts, so I'll add them here if anyone wants them. They used the "Big Noodle Tilting" font and created their own heart:

That fall Hot Topic also came out with an off-white tote that had the same large "reinvent love" design on one side. Then the design of the band name (from the t-shirt's sleeve) got a heart added and was enlarged to be the graphic on the other side of the tote. The inside of the bag was a floral pattern that reminded me of the striped hoodie's lining:

FBR clearly loved how successful this whole design was. The webstore included a bonus sticker in the order packages for P!ATD fans in fall 2008:

The Rock Band Live Tour shows in fall 2008 used the same type of graphic:

And the shows on that tour had a black tote & shirt for sale:

Spencer did an interview with Out.com this season that had this question:

The most popular items at your merch booth seem to be a t-shirt and bag that say “Reinvent Love,” which is such a strong, inclusive message. Tell me about how that became the band slogan. It started out as a lyric in “Mad as Rabbits.” It was the last song we were recording for the album, and as we figured out how to fit it into the end of the song, it took on some more anthem-style cheer. As we went on tour, me and Ryan [Ross, Panic’s guitarist] talked about making a “Reinvent Love” shirt. At first it was just going to be on the Fueled By Ramen web store, just a limited edition thing because it didn’t have our band name on the front, and we didn’t know how many people would want to wear that. It ended up being a lot more popular than we thought it would. We were ending all of the concerts with that song, so that was the last thing that people were hearing. We wouldn’t want to be a part of anything that wasn’t that kind of that message. If there’s going to be some saying associated with our band, that’s a pretty good one. It goes along with everything we want to represent and the way that we feel.

This bracelet was added to FBR's webstore in December 2008 (after the Pretty. Odd. era had basically ended & around the time that Live in Chicago was released):

By the time this necklace got added to FBR's webstore in January 2009, a lot of fans were tired of this theme:

The necklace spawned more fan jokes about what was coming next at that point... my favorite was still the musical toaster:

So in March 2009 FBR just added the black shirt & tote to their webstore (the ones that were sold at shows in fall 2008) and then let the phrase rest so they could soon move onto overusing the return of the exclamation mark. lol jk.

[gayahithwen]

Web safe colors and bi inclusive = 🥰

Looks like Stami Studios has pins with your inclusive lesbian flag on it

It's not my flag! We didn't create it, we just use it!

As noted in the post on the @nerdykeppie company blog about it, that flag was created by Lydia. They used to be on Tumblr as @kispesan but that Tumblr is now empty.

(If they have a new Tumblr, can someone please tell me? I'd like to fix the link in our post and give proper credit.)

You may be thinking about the Queer Chevron flag, which came from a conversation between me and @officialqueer in 2016 & @bizexuals brought it to life. That's the flag that I had a hand in creating.

Whether it's the Queer Chevron flag (which is public domain, because fuck copyrighting Pride flags) or the Inclusive Lesbian/Sapphic flag, I'm happy to see more usage of both flags. I'm not a fan at all of the "sunset" flag or its creator. I also both really strongly identify with the 4-color flag and appreciate that Lydia thought a lot about making a flag suited for creative use (4 simple, basic, easy-to-source-materials-in colors) and with set web colors.

So like... that rocks. Can you link me? I looked on their site and can't find anything that uses my favorite lesbian flag, and I need more pins.

[izicodes]

Wix Learn's Free Web Accessibility Certification | Resources ✨

Hiya! 💗 Today, I stumbled upon an absolute gem that I wanted to share with all of you. If you're learning about web design and inclusivity as I am, this is something you might want to look into~!

Introducing the Web Accessibility Course by Wix Learn - a game-changer for anyone striving to create websites that cater to all users, regardless of impairments. This comprehensive course covers everything you need to know to build an inclusive online space that leaves no one behind. AND IT COMES WITH AN EXAM AND CERTIFICATE (all free too hehe).

In this course, you'll gain mastery over essential skills, including:

🌐 Creating Inclusive Sites: Learn the best practices to make your websites accessible to people with various impairments, ensuring equal access for everyone.

📚 Accessible Title Tags and Headings: Dive into the world of proper title tags and heading structures, making navigation a breeze for every visitor.

👁️‍🗨️ Crafting Alt Text and Alternative Media: Discover the art of writing meaningful alt text and incorporating alternative media, providing a seamless experience for those with visual challenges.

⚙️ Optimizing Navigation for Assisted Technology Users: Enhance site navigation for individuals relying on assisted technologies, making their browsing experience smooth and efficient.

💬 The Power of an Accessibility Statement: Learn to create a compelling accessibility statement, showcasing your dedication to inclusivity and informing visitors about your website's accessibility features.

They even have prep courses for the exam! 🤗✨

Here's the link to the course: LINK

Hope this helps someone out there, I will be trying it out and seeing how it goes! 👍🏾