WebAIM May 2023 Newsletter

Read this newsletter online at https://webaim.org/newsletter/2023/may

Features

A New, Exciting Era for WebAIM

After 24 years as the Director of WebAIM, Cyndi Rowland is retiring. Read her reflections on the history of web accessibility and her vision for the future, and join us on June 22nd for a virtual gathering of friends and colleagues.

The WebAIM Strategic Accessibility Framework

This comprehensive framework for implementing accessibility throughout an organization now includes expanded documentation and resources.

PDF Accessibility (UPDATED)

WebAIM's PDF Accessibility article has been updated and significantly expanded.

Upcoming WebAIM Events

• Document Accessibility Course - June cohort is now open for registrations
• Accessibility in Technology Procurement and Use - June 22, 2023
• Virtual Web Accessibility Training - July 5–6

2nd Annual Web Accessibility in Mind Conference

Join WebAIM and Pope Tech online on August 29th and 30th, 2023, for two days of carefully curated digital accessibility talks. All free and recorded for future viewing. Registration is open, and we will begin to announce speakers soon.

Resources

Busting Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction in Accessible Interactive Elements

There are many "misconceptions" about the accessibility of interactive elements. In this blog we will try to bust such myths or the so-called misconception by separating the facts from fiction!

"Dear Colleague" letter regarding online accessibility in higher education (PDF)

The Department of Justice and Department of Education have filed a joint letter reiterating and clarifying the scope of legal requirements.

Reading a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) or Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR)

Procurement officers and employees responsible for purchasing products for a company may request an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) based on the ITI Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT).

The problem with disabled buttons and what to do instead

Adam Silver describes 6 problems that can occur when using disabled buttons to indicate form completion status.

Inaccessible PDFs? How to know when to use HTML webpages instead of PDFs

Basically, only use a PDF if there's a specific reason to. Otherwise, use an HTML webpage.

Progress Over Perfection: The Better Way for Communication and Accessibility Advocacy

A progress over perfection approach to communication educates people and it's kinder. This article has four steps on how to do that.

Quick Tip: Be careful with height

Be very cautious when setting a defined height for web page elements that contain text. Text can always be customized by the end user to change the typeface, make the text larger, or to increase the letter, word, line, or paragraph spacing. This may cause text to cover or move under other page elements because it no longer fits within the defined element's height. Either avoid defining element height or use relative height units to allow the element to scale with its text contents.

WebAIM E-mail Discussion List

Subscribe to the WebAIM E-mail Discussion List

View the Discussion List Archives

Select recent threads:

• Expanding Table rows - Can this be made accessible?
• Screen reader bugs
• Table cells with subheadings
• Descriptive label for Read more button

Read more about WebAIM Training, Web Site Evaluation, and Consultation Services.

WebAIM is a non-profit organization based at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice at Utah State University.