Natalie MacLees’ Post

Eric Eggert dives into why WCAG 2 has stood the test of time, and where its age shows in today’s fast-moving web. He explores how guidelines built for a 2005 web still power our accessibility efforts, while also exposing gaps (like audio description in ultra-short videos) that need revisiting. It’s a compelling read for anyone shaping the future of inclusive design. https://buff.ly/6APasMI #Accessibility #WCAG #InclusiveDesign #DigitalAccessibility #WebStandards #a11y

We built WCAG in Plain English. Then we integrated it straight into AAArdvark. Here's why: Most accessibility tools are pretty good at telling you what's broken. They're not always good at telling you why it matters or how to fix it. So your team ends up bouncing between validator results, official WCAG docs (which are not beginner-friendly), and Google searches trying to piece together what "1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)" actually means in practice. It slows down remediation. It frustrates developers. And it makes accessibility feel harder than it needs to be. We saw this problem everywhere — especially for teams who are newer to accessibility or don't have deep WCAG expertise yet. So we built WCAG in Plain English — a gentle and beginner-friendly introduction to WCAG in clear language, with real examples and practical fixes. Then we integrated it directly into AAArdvark. When you click on an issue in your audit, you get a direct link to the plain-language explanation. You can see what the rule means, why it matters, who it affects, and how to fix it — all without leaving the platform. If you need to dig in further, we have links to the official documentation included. WCAG in Plain English is not a replacement for the official WCAG documentation (accessibility professionals still need that). But for developers, designers, content managers, and agencies who are learning or need quick clarity on a specific issue, it removes a barrier. One less tab to open. One less thing to search for. One less excuse to put off the fix. Our users can resolve issues faster because it's clear what to do. Accessibility shouldn't require a decoder ring. We built both tools to work together so understanding and fixing issues is straightforward — whether you're just getting started or managing dozens of audits. Want to see how it works? Try it free at https://bit.ly/46QW1gD or drop a comment and I'll send you a walkthrough. #Accessibility #WCAG

A story with a missing page. It's a big problem. But we believe the solution can be small. It can start with just one simple sentence. A clear description that gives that image a voice. We noticed a small, broken part of the internet that we knew we could help fix. Think about it. We all share millions of images online every single day. They tell stories, sell products, and share news. But for a huge part of the population who use screen readers, these images are often just silent, blank spaces. That’s why we created Alt Text For All. We're a new page with a clear goal. We offer a completely free tool to help anyone write accurate alt text for their images in seconds. No catch, no limits. Our mission is to make accessibility simple, because building a more inclusive web should be for everyone, not just the experts. This is our first post, and we’re excited to start this journey with you. Let’s work together to fill in those blank spaces. #WebAccessibility #AltText #InclusiveDesign #DigitalInclusion #FirstPost

Many designs look great, but if your colour choices don’t meet accessibility standards, your audience might struggle to read your content. If the can't read your content they can't engage...... That’s why we built the Color Contrast Checker https://lnkd.in/gMJCEKtz A free tool to instantly test if your colour combinations meet WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). With our tool, you can: - Check your contrast ratio in real time - See if your design passes AA/AAA levels - Auto-enhance text/background for compliance - Ensure your content is inclusive and readable for everyone 👉 Try it now: https://lnkd.in/gMJCEKtz

If the colour contrast on your website is too low, text content becomes too hard to read and people will struggle to distinguish and understand the content being presented to them. The use of colour can affect many people including those with visual impairments, colour blindness and autism. Here are six design tips around the use of colour: 1) Links: should be underlined because relying on colour contrast for the text might not be enough. 2) Colour choices for colour blindness: the most common version of colour blindness is being unable to distinguish between red and green. Be wary about using those colours together. 3) Colour choices for autism: people with autism may find bright colours distracting or that they cause sensory overload. Avoid very dark text on bright backgrounds, neon colours, and very bright contrasting colours. 4) Colour as a command: using red to highlight errors in forms isn’t helpful for people who can’t perceive red. Always combine colour with words, patterns or icons to convey meaning. For example, error messages can have a wide border along their leading edge. 5) Colour contrast: when placing text on a coloured background, good contrast between the colours will help legibility. 6) Text and images: if you use text on top of an image, consider placing a solid or semi-transparent layer between them (sometimes called a scrim) to help make the text more readable. If you want to see the web from a different perspective: Install this chrome extension to get a better understanding of colour blindness https://lnkd.in/e8gTHhQu Visit HMRC's Virtual Empathy Hub and try navigating the web as Pawel, who has autism https://lnkd.in/e85B-cnr If you'd like to find out more about website accessibility, have a look at our Guide to Accessible Content: https://lnkd.in/gQ7h7na2

⚠️ Accessibility isn’t optional. When no one takes ownership, everyone pays the price. 💡 Bnode Ltd breaks down who should do what—from content creators to designers. 📰 Full article https://lnkd.in/eAsQ_bEp #InclusiveDesign #PDFAccessibility #YorkshireBusiness #GBShared

⚠️ Accessibility isn’t optional. When no one takes ownership, everyone pays the price. 💡 Bnode Ltd breaks down who should do what—from content creators to designers. 📰 Full article https://lnkd.in/eAsQ_bEp #InclusiveDesign #PDFAccessibility #YorkshireBusiness #GBShared

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is now in effect, setting a new - higher - standard for digital accessibility across the EU. While developers handle the technical side, content editors play an equally important role in making websites usable for everyone. Accessibility isn’t just about code; it’s also about communication. Here are 5 ways editors can make content more accessible: 1️⃣ Use clear structure & headings: Follow a logical order (H1 → H2 → H3) to help screen readers and improve page navigation. 2️⃣ Add meaningful alt text: Describe what an image communicates, not just what it shows. 3️⃣ Keep language simple: Plain, concise copy supports users with cognitive impairments and boosts clarity for all. 4️⃣ Check colour contrast & typography: Readable fonts, clear spacing, and strong contrast improve visibility and are key to compliance. 5️⃣ Make media & links inclusive: Add captions or transcripts and use descriptive links (not “click here”). The EAA makes accessibility a legal and ethical requirement; not an afterthought. At I-Finity, our Website Accessibility Audits help organisations identify both technical and content gaps to build inclusive, compliant digital experiences. https://lnkd.in/e-5idFbS #Accessibility #EAA #InclusiveDesign #DigitalAccessibility #ContentStrategy #IFinity

Digital Accessibility 📲 We are committed to making sure everyone can access the information and services they need in a way that's best for them, that's why we have integrated our website with ReciteMe! ReciteMe is a web accessibility solution that helps visitors to our website customise content to suit their individual needs. If you click 'accessibility' on the top menu of our website, it will open an accessibility toolbar that allows you to: ➡️ Change font sixes, typeface and colours ➡️ Use a screen reader ➡️ Translate our site into over 100 languages ➡️ Magnify text ➡️ Cover text to MP3 ➡️ Access a built-in dictionary You can read more about our digital and building accessibility online here: https://lnkd.in/eAC8y_qZ

Starting a blog doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are 3 quick tips to get going:  1️⃣ Pick a template that reflects your style.  2️⃣ Write with consistency—your audience values regular content.  3️⃣ Use responsive design for a smooth reading experience on all devices. Our builder makes it easy to bring these steps to life without coding. Begin your creative journey now—your blog deserves to be seen. #BlogTips #GrowYourBlog #SimpleWebsite #BloggingMadeEasy