Dyslexia is a term most people have heard, but not everyone understands the impact it has on millions of Americans. Even fewer are aware of key content and design considerations to make digital content easier for people with dyslexia to read and use. Learn about dyslexia and accessibility considerations here.
How to Create Accessible Content and Designs for People with Dyslexia
Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for People Who Are Blind or Have Vision Loss
Valentine’s Day is a time to show your love to the special people in your life — and it’s just around the corner! You know how you feel, but it can be tricky to find that perfect gift to express yourself. Here are some great gift ideas especially for your loved ones who are blind or have vision loss.
Make Your Hashtags Accessible
Make your hashtags more accessible by capitalizing the first letter of each word. This helps people who use screen readers as well as anybody who has difficulty quickly understanding where one word ends and another begins.
Companies Can Help Protect Themselves from Website Accessibility Lawsuits with a Letter of Reasonable Accessibility from BoIA
Businesses that have a Letter of Reasonable Accessibility will be better-protected from accessibility lawsuits, according to the Bureau of Internet Accessibility (BoIA). BoIA clients who have opted into ongoing support will receive a Letter of Reasonable Accessibility that helps prove their accessibility compliance. Clients’ attorneys can quickly refer to and share the letter to help defend against web accessibility lawsuits.
Digital Accessibility in the Physical World: 5 Use Cases
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a full 25 percent of U.S. adults are living with a disability, which can create large and small complications and difficulties for the people who have them. In some instances, technological developments have made the daily lives of people with disabilities easier than ever before. Here are five ways that people with disabilities can use digital technologies in the world around them.
First-Ever 24/7 Accessibility Customer Support Line for Clients’ Websites Launched by Bureau of Internet Accessibility
The Bureau of Internet Accessibility (BoIA) announced today that it has launched the industry’s first live accessibility support phone line that will aid a website’s visitors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The new support system enhances the company’s robust accessibility monitoring and support program to assist organizations with digital accessibility legal requirements.
Let’s Talk “AI for Accessibility” — Microsoft’s New Grant
Microsoft recently announced a new grant called AI for Accessibility. This grant is geared to encourage developers to create products using Microsoft’s AI tools that will help people with disabilities. Here's an introduction to AI's role in accessibility and some information about Microsoft's grant.
Five Things You Might Not Know About Braille
January 4 marks World Braille Day, a celebration of the reading and writing code used by some blind people. To honor this day and to spread some much-needed awareness, we're sharing five facts about Braille that many people who don't use the system may not yet realize.
Accessibility and the Internet of Things
By promising to change the way we live, work, and travel, the Internet of Things (IoT) is projected to have a more dramatic impact in the very near future. When IoT devices are built to be accessible, they can greatly enhance the quality of life for some people. But what happens when they aren't accessible?
Get Your Letters from Santa in Braille
Many people don't know that Santa Clause knows Braille. That's right — children who read Braille can have their very own letter from Santa. Check out some of the organizations that help with this and get your requests in on time!
Recognizing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3rd in the global observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. According to the United Nations, the day "aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life."
Disability Statistics in the United States
Many people are surprised to learn how much of the population actually lives with a disability. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 US adults has a disability, and the percentage is higher in those age 65 and older. When we consider that by 2030, people 65 and older will outnumber children in the country, it's a reminder that the time for accessibility is now.
How to Introduce People to Digital Accessibility: 7 Tips
You're an advocate for disability rights and digital accessibility and you want to introduce somebody to the reasons for and best practices of accessibility — but where do you even start? Here are seven tips to help you teach someone the importance of accessible websites and apps.
Digital Accessibility Benefits Your Brand
More than just a buzzword, your brand is vital to your success in the digital age. Increasingly, digital accessibility needs to be part of your brand strategy, presenting opportunities to both create accessible experiences and let people know about it.
7 Basic Steps to Making PDFs More Accessible
PDF accessibility is as important as any piece of your digital presence, but sometimes digital documents are overlooked. From tagging to layout to color contrast, these tips can help you improve the accessibility of your PDFs.
New York State is Holding Listening Sessions to Study Accessibility of Ride Sharing for People with Disabilities
Earlier this week, the New York State Transportation Network Company Accessibility Task Force announced it will be holding public listening sessions in November and December. The purpose of these sessions is to study the accessibility of the state's ride sharing services for people with disabilities.
Five Ways to Improve Your SEO with Web Accessibility
It's a common misconception that web accessibility comes at a cost to web developers and marketers with little benefit. Search engine optimization (SEO) best practices and following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) actually overlap. In fact, websites that take web accessibility seriously consistently rank higher than their competition on Google and YouTube.
Tips for Making Your Presentations Accessible
When you give a presentation, you want to convey a memorable and interesting message to as much of your audience as possible. However, people with certain disabilities may experience challenges that make it harder for them to fully understand your talk. Here are some tips to make your next presentation more accessible.
When is the right time to plan for digital accessibility?
In small companies and large corporations alike, people often ask, “When should we start accounting for digital accessibility?” It’s a hard question that usually has the same, simple answer: as soon as possible.
National Epilepsy Awareness Month
Did you know that an estimated 1-in-26 people in the United States will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime? Learn more about one of the most common neurological disorders and spread the word this National Epilepsy Awareness Month.
Section 508 Compliance Testing for Websites
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities by federal agencies and contractors. Section 508 was added in 1998 to require their electronic and information technology (EIT) be made accessible to both employees and the public.
Free Accessibility Tools and Assistive Technology You Can Use Today
Cost has always been a factor affecting access to assistive technology and accessibility tools that can improve people's ability to consume and contribute to the digital world. However, there are many powerful accessibility tools that are available for free. Here are some you can start using today.
What is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)?
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a celebration of the value and talents that people with disabilities bring to the workforce — but it's also a reminder of the challenges and discrimination employees with disabilities sometimes face. Read about NDEAM and get resources to help promote workplace equality.
Digital Accessibility and the Hiring Process
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discriminatory hiring practices from pre-employment through their last day on the job. See how web accessibility applies to the hiring process.
Ten Ways to Plan for Digital Accessibility with Your New Business
Every new business needs to understand ADA and web accessibility requirements. Incorporating accessibility into your business plan from the beginning will make the process easier and your website more compliant. Read these 10 tips for proactively planning for digital accessibility.