Author: Dennis

Categories
forms roundup

Accessible Date Pickers

Unfortunately, several shiny HTML5 features (such as the video element), ended up implemented to different levels by browsers, without good accessibility, and without an interface that satisfied designers (a nearly impossible task). This includes the date input.

And a designer should first ask, is a date picker actually needed?

Recently on Twitter, there was some discussion about accessible date picker widgets. Jason Kiss (@JKiss) did some analysis and gave feedback.

https://twitter.com/jkiss/status/720720467829493760 (Tweet no longer exists.)

I felt compelled to list the examples of accessible date pickers mentioned in the Twitter thread, so here they are. Know any other good ones?

PS: In the tweet thread, props to @handcoding, @pauljadam, and @backflip.

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Last updated Nov 2023

Categories
"assistive technology" jobs

Accessibility Jobs, March 2016

Wow, plenty of great open positions!

For updates, follow me (@WebAxe) and @a11yJobs on Twitter!

Categories
captions video youtube

Captions and YouTube

Video captions are obviously necessary for users with a hearing impairment to access the audio content. But there are more reasons as to why captions are important including:

  • Speakers or headset is broken.
  • Too loud an environment such as train or yelling children.
  • Too quiet an environment such as a library or when spouse is sleeping.
  • Helps those with cognitive disability (or language is not native).
  • SEO

Correcting YouTube automated captions

So you have a video on YouTube. The automatic captions are a valiant effort but not nearly understandable enough, yet. To correct, you can use a great tool embedded right in YouTube. Note: If you recall, a few years ago, one had to download the caption file, edit, and then upload.

YouTube CC

Below are the basic steps to get you started on editing the captions. This is a very nifty and convenient tool, but best for sighted mouse users. Also keep in mind that there are different ways to reach the editing mode, and it may change (as it has already from the referenced articles below).

  1. Go to a YouTube video you own (while logged in of course).
  2. Click the CC (“Subtitles and CC”) icon just under the video.
  3. If you don’t have a custom caption file:
    1. Click the “Add new subtitles or CC” menu button.
    2. Select the language. You may be asked to set the default language at this point.
  4. If you have a caption file:
    1. Under the Published heading, click the language of the caption file to edit.
    2. Click the blue Edit button.
  5. Edit away!

Resources for YouTube Captions

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Categories
color design roundup tools

Color Contrast Tools

Here are some tools that specifically check for color contrast accessibility issues on websites. And a few related links below. Know any others?

Updated April 2024. Please feel free to comment with additions and corrections.

color wheel

Categories
law

Recent Web Accessibility Lawsuits

Listed below are three recent lawsuits regarding web accessibility, and then some great related links. Legal action against inaccessible websites is a growing trend especially in the U.S. and unfortunately a needed one. It’s always been my opinion that although it’s obviously smart for companies to provide accessible websites, it’s the law that will make it happen on a wide-scale. Sad but true.

gavel - black and white illustration

Blind Woman Sues Red Roof Inns, Alleging Inaccessible Website

The plaintiff requests the court require Red Roof to retain a mutually approved consultant to perform periodic automated accessibility audits to oversee the defendant’s compliance with the ADA, create an official accessibility policy and post the information directly on its website.

Legal action against the NBA over website accessibility

The suit specifies that screen readers should be able to navigate through the NBA website as ‘screen reader software provides the primary method by which a blind person may independently use the Internet. Unless websites are designed to be read by screen reader software or other assistive technologies, blind individuals are unable to fully access websites and the information, products and services available through the sites.’

Blind Woman Sues Toys “R” Us, Alleging Violation of Federal Disabilities Act

The suit says the toy company’s website contains digital barriers which limit the ability of blind and visually impaired consumers to access the sites.

[The plaintiff] seeks a permanent injunction, directing Toys “R” Us to bring its websites into full compliance with ADA requirements.

Added Dec 9: Advocates for disabled sue [Ohio Secretary of State] over voting, website problems

Kristen Henry, a staff attorney for Disability Rights Ohio, said Husted’s website is inaccessible to people who are blind because it does not allow use of special screen-reading software that translates written words into speech. She said government agencies are required to provide access for the disabled through the ADA.

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