A hearing system that monitors brain waves could help people with hearing loss communicate in noisy environments.

Modern TUI frameworks prioritize developer convenience and visual appeal over accessibility, treating the terminal as a canvas rather than a stream-oriented interface. This leads to “redraw hell,” where constant screen updates overwhelm screen readers, resulting in incoherent output and a poor user experience for those relying on assistive technology. To achieve true TUI accessibility, frameworks must prioritize semantic meaning, minimize unnecessary redraws, and provide standardized APIs for querying application state.

Charts and graphs are useful for presenting data visually, but accessibility can be challenging. While alt text can describe the chart, it may not be ideal for complex data. Using SVG with ARIA roles can provide semantic meaning, but a simpler approach might be to present both the chart and the underlying data in a table, allowing users to choose their preferred format.

This proposal introduces a new API for rendering HTML content within a <canvas> element. The API includes the layoutsubtree attribute, drawElementImage() method, and paint event, enabling better accessibility, internationalization, and performance for canvas-based content. The proposal also addresses the need for exporting HTML content as images or video.

The drawElementImage API allows for drawing element image snapshots onto a canvas, with considerations for privacy and security to prevent leaking sensitive information. The paint event is introduced to notify developers of paint changes, allowing for canvas rendering updates in sync with the DOM. Future considerations include supporting threaded effects with an auto-updating canvas mode.

The IBM accessibility checker found 14 accessibility failures and 62 issues requiring manual review in ChatGPT’s UI. The results were disappointing, highlighting the need for improvements.

Disney is celebrating National Deaf History Month with the debut of “Songs in Sign Language,” featuring reimagined animated musical sequences from Disney movies in American Sign Language (ASL). The project, led by veteran Disney animator Hyrum Osmond and Deaf West Theatre, aims to connect with the Deaf community and showcase the beauty of sign language.

KALW, a San Francisco radio station, faced a challenge when they received their first application from a blind applicant, Rachel Longan. Despite their commitment to inclusivity, they were unsure how to support her. This led to a discussion on the complexities of accessibility for blind audio journalists, highlighting the need for resources and support systems to ensure their success.

The advent of accessible audio recording technology, such as the Zoom Essential series with spoken feedback and 32-bit float recording, has revolutionized field recording for blind producers. Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools and Reaper, with their accessibility features and active user communities, have empowered blind audio engineers to achieve professional-level proficiency. However, mastering these tools requires significant time, patience, and a willingness to troubleshoot and adapt to different screen-reading metaphors.

Rachel Longan, a blind radio producer, faced challenges with inaccessible digital audio workstations (DAWs) and collaborative editing workflows at KALW. Despite these obstacles, she found solutions like using GoldWave for editing and collaborating verbally with her team. Longan’s experience highlights the importance of support, mentorship, and the adaptability of blind individuals in overcoming accessibility barriers in the audio industry.

KALW’s inclusive environment presents challenges in balancing accessibility and usability, as well as ensuring blind journalists receive fair editorial treatment. While some blind individuals embrace diversity hires, others argue for merit-based hiring. Ultimately, blind journalists like Longan demonstrate their value by leveraging their unique skills and perspectives, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive newsroom.

Calgary startup Possibility Neurotechnologies launched Think2Switch, an app that allows users to control devices with their thoughts using EEG headbands. The app, developed in partnership with individuals facing interaction barriers, translates brainwave signals into device commands. Think2Switch is available on the Apple App Store for $35/month, plus the cost of a headset.

MGuide, a student-built digital map at the University of Michigan, prioritizes accessibility and user needs. The map simplifies navigation, offering features like finding empty classrooms and locating campus services, making it easier for all users to navigate campus independently.

LG Electronics introduced an accessibility-focused kiosk at CSUN AT 2026, featuring Braille panels, sign language guidance, screen reader compatibility, and an adjustable height mechanism.

AI technology can describe photos for blind individuals, but it’s not always accurate, leading to potential insecurity. While some apps use human agents to verify descriptions, most rely solely on AI, raising concerns about biases and errors. Despite these challenges, the ability of AI to describe photos is seen as a positive development, offering blind individuals new opportunities and experiences.

A graphic by Robbie Crow highlights the difference between active inclusion and performative allyship towards disability. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging disability, moving beyond tokenism, and actively engaging in conversations about disability. The newsletter encourages non-disabled people to be allies by practising self-reflection, active listening, continuous learning, and proactive advocacy.

Two recent decisions from the Southern District of New York highlight the importance of genuine accessibility efforts. In Jones v. Moscot.com, the court dismissed a lawsuit against a company that had invested in accessibility improvements, demonstrating the value of a documented accessibility program. Conversely, in Parikh v. accessiBe, the court allowed a breach of contract claim to proceed against a company that sold a product promising WCAG compliance but failed to deliver.

The text provides a first-person account of the sensory experiences of autism, highlighting the overwhelming nature of unfiltered sensory input. It emphasizes the cognitive cost of managing sensory overload, including difficulties with auditory processing, tactile sensitivity, and visual input. The author also discusses the importance of routines for cognitive economy and the challenges of executive function and working memory in daily life.

Autism presents unique challenges, including unreliable working memory, demand avoidance driven by anxiety, and social exhaustion from constant processing. Masking, a coping mechanism, can lead to burnout. The double empathy problem highlights communication difficulties between autistic and non-autistic people, while interoception issues can cause delayed bodily signals.

Autism is a full-body, full-day experience that influences sensory processing, social interaction, and emotional regulation. While it can present challenges, it also brings unique strengths like deep focus, pattern recognition, and authenticity. Unmasking, or shedding the performance of neurotypicality, is a crucial step towards building a life that aligns with an autistic nervous system, reducing suffering and fostering well-being.

AI is reducing the effort required for digital tasks for disabled users, but accessibility barriers persist. Companies often block automated browser access for security reasons, inadvertently impacting disabled users who rely on assistive automation. To address this, companies should consider accessibility impact assessments, engage with disabled users before making changes, and create alternative routes for those who rely on assistive automation.

Access to Success (ATS) has opened its first physical hub in Toronto, the ATS Innovation Hub, to support accessibility technology startups. The hub provides a dedicated co-working space for entrepreneurs to collaborate and connect with potential partners and stakeholders. ATS, founded in 2016, has served 78 companies globally through its virtual accelerator program and plans to continue providing grants to accessibility startups.

Australia’s social media ban for kids under 16 is isolating children with disabilities, who often rely on social media for social connections. The ban, intended to protect children, is disproportionately harming vulnerable youth, cutting them off from support networks and exacerbating loneliness. Critics argue the ban ignores evidence showing social media can be beneficial for many children and that it’s being used by politicians for political gain.

Note: Writing Tools aren’t designed to work with this type of content.

This week's mystery shop highlights key lessons supermarkets must learn to help visually impaired shoppers

Accessible tactile 3D printed restroom maps are designed to help blind individuals navigate restrooms with minimal contact. The maps are miniature replicas of the restroom layout, featuring raised elements for easy identification of fixtures and features. Organizations can customize the maps to include specific elements and provide a key for reference.

Thanya Nathan C, a blind 2024 graduate of Kannur University, ranked first in the merit list of persons with benchmark disabilities in the Civil Judges (Junior Division), Kerala Judicial Service, 2025. She credits her success to her experience as an advocate, which provided practical application of law and courtroom procedure knowledge. Thanya emphasizes the need for improved accessibility in legal education and the judiciary, including more Braille study materials and inclusive infrastructure.

The text discusses the limitations of AI in replacing accessibility testers. While AI can automate some tasks, it struggles with tasks requiring contextual understanding, such as interpreting false positives in automated testing, verifying screen reader output, and assessing the adequacy of error messages and alt text. The author categorizes accessibility tasks based on AI’s potential impact, highlighting that many tasks still require human expertise.

AI can assist accessibility professionals by automating tedious tasks, catching obvious violations, and generating first drafts of documentation. However, it cannot understand context, make judgement calls, or advocate for users, making human expertise essential for ensuring truly accessible designs and experiences. While AI can be a valuable tool, it should be viewed as a supplement to human expertise, not a replacement.

“Wishcessibility” is the well-intentioned but misguided attempts to improve accessibility, often resulting in harm. This can include following accessibility guidelines without testing, relying on inaccurate information, or implementing accessibility overlays. To combat wishcessibility, we need to move beyond compliance and focus on the actual human experiences of disabled users, requiring systemic support and buy-in for accessibility work.

TechShare Pro 2025 highlighted key trends in inclusive technology, emphasizing the rapid advancement of accessibility. The conference explored the impact of AI on assistive technology, the growing importance of voice interfaces, and the need to consider neurodiversity in design. It also stressed the significance of embedding accessibility from the start of projects, navigating evolving regulations, and recognizing accessibility as a driver of brand value and commercial success.

A new setting in Microsoft Word for Windows allows screen reader users to navigate documents using the up and down arrow keys based on logical reading order. This feature, which is disabled by default, can be enabled in the Accessibility options. It improves navigation for columns of text, multi-page views, tables, text wrapped around images, and dropped cap letters.

A blind screen reader user encountered accessibility issues during an online banking identity verification process. Unlabeled buttons and inaccessible pop-ups led to account restrictions and hours of recovery work. This highlights the importance of accessible mobile banking for usability, customer trust, and operational risk reduction.

A call to create products that adapt to different cognitive approaches.

The concept of the “accessibility unicorn” is often dismissed as unrealistic. However, the issue lies not in the existence of such individuals, but in the unrealistic expectations placed upon them, including inadequate budgets, limited resources, and a lack of a long-term strategy.

The creation of a dedicated accessibility stage at CES 2023 led to poor coverage of accessibility products and innovations. This segregation risks creating “accessibility ghettos” of inferior, expensive products and hinders mainstream media’s understanding of accessibility in mainstream technology. The author advocates for integrating accessibility into the mainstream CES to ensure broader coverage and encourage all manufacturers to prioritize accessibility.

With new global standards reshaping expectations, Ayala Gordon and Sarah Lewthwaite argue that accessibility must move from compliance afterthought to strategic priority across every part of the university.

A structured Claude Code template for creating accessibility mods that make games playable with screen readers - HappyStarfish/Accessibility-mod-template

GrabScanGo, in partnership with Storm Interface and Vispero, has launched an accessible self-checkout experience for visually impaired shoppers. The solution integrates tactile hardware and screen-reader technology, allowing users to independently scan items, review purchases, and pay. This ADA-compliant system is available now and is being showcased at NRF 2026.

Safari 17.4 introduced a native HTML switch element, progressively enhancing <input type=“checkbox”> with the switch attribute. A polyfill is available for browsers lacking native support, adding accessibility features like ARIA roles and high-contrast support. The polyfill also handles writing modes and directionality, and is available on npm and GitHub.

Blazor Ramp aims to provide a suite of modular, accessible-first Blazor components, delivered individually via NuGet.

With the end of the year approaching, I was doing some tax prep. I asked the Windows version of Copilot to convert a final pay summary from my last employer into something that was more readable. T…

Blind Access Journal, led by Darrell Hilliker, NU7I, is launching a community initiative to improve the accessibility of WSJT-X for blind, low-vision, and mobility-impaired Amateur Radio operators. The project aims to enhance keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and visual accommodations, with a focus on making the Band Activity and Rx Frequency tables accessible. Experienced Amateur Radio software developers are invited to volunteer and collaborate on this initiative.

A collection of bad practices in HTML, copied from real websites.

German regulators have declared accessibility overlays a barrier to certification, stating they cannot reliably assess websites using them. Organizations should avoid overlays and instead conduct proper accessibility audits and implement genuine, code-level accessibility solutions.

Many accessibility hacks, like electric toothbrushes and Aga cookers, were originally designed for people with disabilities but are now widely used. These innovations, along with features like tactile packaging and smart glasses, benefit everyone by improving efficiency and convenience. The author, a blind person, highlights how these tools enhance their daily life and emphasizes the need for a more inclusive perspective on accessibility.

Google TalkBack version 16.2 introduces several new features, including text formatting reporting, a double-tap gesture for voice dictation with Gboard, and Browse Mode for quick web page navigation. The Enhanced keymap is required for Browse Mode and offers customizable shortcuts. Additional features include gesture assignments for date, time, and battery percentage, split tap to activate focused items, and an option to announce keyboard keys faster.

The author explores the characteristics that make accessibility overlays problematic, focusing on toolbars, automated accessibility fixes, and unethical marketing. The author argues that toolbars should not imply support for specific disabilities, automated fixes should be purpose-built and not generalized, and marketing should not mislead users about compliance. The author uses their own WP Accessibility plugin and Elementor’s A11y plugin as examples to illustrate these points.

Scripts and documentation about accessible version of Fedora - vojtapolasek/vojtux

New global research from Disability:IN and LinkedIn reveals a powerful workforce trend: professionals with disabilities are advancing- but often by switching firms to do so. Explore the research that will shape your workforce strategy for years to come.

Grab yours while supplies last. Apple has launched a limited edition iPhone grip and stand, designed by Bailey Hikawa "through an extensive interview...

Baltimore, MD (November 18, 2025): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is proud to announce a partnership with ElevenLabs, bringing the innovative ElevenReader platform to blind readers across the United States.

All web developers know, at some level, that accessibility is important. But when push comes to shove, it can be hard to prioritize it above a bazillion other concerns when you’re trying to c…

UK charity launches new digital archive that champions the legacy of disability arts and activism for public access

A study assessed an LLM’s ability to generate accessible HTML code, revealing concerning shortcomings. The model demonstrated a superficial understanding of accessibility, often including unnecessary ARIA attributes and failing to address fundamental issues like form labelling and keyboard navigation. The findings underscore the need to improve training data to ensure AI-generated code adheres to accessibility best practices.

The text discusses the limitations of AI-generated code in terms of accessibility, highlighting issues like improper use of HTML elements, lack of error state management, and unnecessary JavaScript. It suggests that these limitations can be addressed by improving training data, fine-tuning models for accessibility, and integrating accessibility considerations into prompt engineering and IDE integrations. The author emphasizes the importance of prioritizing accessibility in AI-generated code to ensure a more inclusive web.

If you follow me on social media, one of the themes you’ll find I talk about fairly often related to accessibility is how text that isn’t shown visually needs to have better verificatio…

Stay sharp, and know the exits

Fable’s new pay-per-project model provides quick feedback from disabled people using assistive technology. The service offers valuable insights into usability and accessibility, helping to improve the design and development process. The author received actionable feedback from seven participants, highlighting the importance of direct representation from disabled users.

Fable’s pay-per-project service provides valuable insights into how digital experiences work for disabled users. The service offers dedicated tools to communicate findings and improve accessibility. While the service is a gift, there are concerns about how organizations will interpret and act on the feedback, especially those without specialized training in inclusive user research.

It’s a start.

10 reasons why this would be great

Target launches a first-of-its-kind accessible self-checkout experience, created with and for people with disabilities. Rolling out in stores now through early 2026.

Innovation, research and user insight are creating more inclusive ways to pay.

A customizable, WCAG-conformant cookie consent banner with GDPR, CCPA compliance. Latest version: 1.0.0, last published: 4 minutes ago. Start using @afixt/accessible-cookie-banner in your project by running npm i @afixt/accessible-cookie-banner. There are no other projects in the npm registry using @afixt/accessible-cookie-banner.

Why LLMs should not be integrated with screen readers

Canadians with vision loss are adapting AI-powered glasses for daily life, finding freedom in the technology — and challenges in its risks.

UK study findings may challenge assumptions about who benefits most from AI tools.