Carolyn MacLeod explains how accessibility considerations in the HTML specification connect developers to ARIA rules and accessibility API mappings. Explore how HTML elements, roles, states, and properties are mapped to support accessible web development and assistive technology.
Intermediate
Explore practical, intermediate-level digital accessibility guidance for improving websites, applications, and digital experiences. This series goes beyond accessibility basics to examine WCAG, accessible design and development, testing strategies, assistive technology, and real-world accessibility implementation.
Pixels vs. Relative Units in CSS: Why it’s Still a Big Deal
Kathleen McMahon explains why the choice between pixels and relative CSS units such as em and rem still matters for accessibility. Learn how CSS units affect text scaling, responsive design, and users’ ability to control their browsing experience.
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<select> Your Poison Part 2: Test All the Things
In “<select> Your Poison Part 2,” Sarah Higley tests native select, combobox, and multi-select patterns with people using assistive technologies. The study shows why native selects generally provide the best single-selection experience, while custom controls require careful design and real-user testing.
Automating Inclusive Documentation
Paul Grenier explains how teams can automate inclusive documentation using accessibility testing, plain language tools, linters, and continuous integration. Learn how automated checks can improve readability, approachability, consistency, and accessibility while reducing barriers for contributors and users.
Game Accessibility and the Web
Matthew Atkinson explores game accessibility and the web, examining barriers faced by disabled gamers and how screen readers, HTML, WebAssembly, and browser accessibility APIs can make game interfaces more accessible. The article presents a practical approach to bridging games and assistive technology.
Building an Accessible Bingo Web App
Cordelia McGee-Tubb explains how she built an accessible bingo web app with React and Firebase, using ARIA grids, keyboard navigation, toggle states, live regions, responsive design, and user testing to create an inclusive experience for keyboard, touchscreen, and screen reader users.
The Intersection of Markup, Content and Context in Accessibility
David A. Kennedy explores how HTML markup, content, and context work together to create accessible web experiences. Learn why semantic HTML, meaningful labels, form structure, alternative text, and contextual controls matter for people using screen readers and other assistive technologies.
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Web Components and the Accessibility Object Model (AOM)
Léonie Watson explores the accessibility challenges of Web Components and how the Accessibility Object Model (AOM) could address them. Discover how AOM features such as default semantics, ARIA reflection, assistive technology events, and virtual accessibility nodes could make accessibility first-class.
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Tables and Beers
In the last article for the 2018 series, Steve Faulkner provides the results of one beer worth of screen reader testing of simple tables.
Prove You’re Not A Bot: reCAPTCHA Version 3
In today’s article, John Sweet describes how captchas have been viewed as a complete barrier to access for individuals with disabilities but with Google’s latest reCaptcha solution, access has taken a major, positive leap forward.
Benefits of a Single Text Field Versus Multiple Text Fields
In today’s article, Zoë Bijl explains how it’s easier for users to enter a phone number or a credit card number into a single field, but other scenarios may require properly labeled multiple fields.
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Web Components Still Need to be Accessible
In today’s article, Eric Bailey explains why developers need to consider accessibility when creating custom web components and use semantic HTML when it makes sense, as to not needlessly reinvent the wheel.
iOS Accessibility Properties: How They Relate to WCAG, and How to Correctly Use Them
In today’s article, Jennifer Dailey explains how the iOS Accessibility Properties relate to the WCAG 2.0 success criteria 4.1.2: Name, Role, Value, and how to properly use them.
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I Used a Switch Control for a Day
In today’s article, Hampus Sethfors uses a switch control for a day and shares his discoveries and insights, while encouraging you to give it a go.
I Threw Away my Mouse
In today’s article, Manuel Matuzovic shares how he ditched his mouse, going keyboard-only. He shares the results of his research on 200 different pages and the issues that impact keyboard-only users.
Accessibility Pro Certified: To Be or Not To Be
In today’s article, Glenda Sims addresses the value in obtaining Accessibility Professional Certification, what it takes to become an accessibility professional and how the supply of accessibility professionals has yet to keep up with the demand.
Mobilizing Android Accessibility At Airbnb
Diane Ko and Julia Fu explain how Airbnb scaled Android accessibility by building accessibility expertise across engineering teams. They share lessons on TalkBack, custom views, reusable components, accessibility training, automated enforcement, page titles, and testing with blind users.
W3C is Coming to Your A11Y Tools
Wilco Fiers explains how W3C ACT Rules can harmonize accessibility testing tools by establishing shared, transparent testing methods. The initiative helps organizations understand differences between automated tools, create consistent WCAG interpretations, and establish reliable testing baselines.
Disability is a Spectrum, Not a Binary
Steve Barnett and Nicola du Toit explore disability as a spectrum rather than a binary, showing how abilities and environmental barriers interact. They explain how inclusive design practices, including plain language, keyboard accessibility, and color contrast, can make digital experiences better for everyone.
A New Day: Making a Better Calendar
Gerard Cohen explores how to build accessible and usable calendar widgets. He covers efficient date selection, keyboard navigation, semantic controls, accessible labels, screen reader feedback, and responsive design, offering practical guidance for creating better calendar experiences for everyone.
How to Build a Cloud-Hosted Accessibility Testing Windows Computer using Amazon WorkSpaces
Eric Bailey explains how to build a cloud-hosted Windows computer with Amazon WorkSpaces for accessibility testing. The guide addresses barriers to Windows access, explains why browser testing services may be insufficient, and provides step-by-step instructions for creating a virtual accessibility testing environment.
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Writing Automated Tests for Accessibility
Marcy Sutton explains how automated accessibility testing can strengthen development workflows, prevent regressions, and free teams for complex testing. She explores unit and integration tests, keyboard interactions, axe-core, and why automation must complement manual and user testing.