-
\n Screen Readers 101: Designers & Developers
November 4, 2024 • 8 min read
I want to talk about something that's fundamental to digital accessibility but is often misunderstood – screen readers. Screen readers are one of the most effective tools for making websites and applications accessible to people who are blind or living with a visual impairment. However, for designers and developers just starting out with accessibility, screen readers might seem a little… mysterious. How do they work? What design principles should you follow with them in mind? What considerations need to be taken when writing the code? I'll use this guide to provide what I can to help get you started.
-
\n Local LLMs and Quantum Computing
October 23, 2024 • 5 min read
While today's powerful AI large language models require vast data centers for operation, rapid advancements in model optimization and the potential of quantum computing are changing the landscape. These innovations could lead to a future where powerful, personalized AI systems are accessible and able to run directly on our own devices. This could lead to significant implications for society, the job market, and increased ethical considerations.
-
\n The False Promise of Accessibility Overlays
October 21, 2024 • 6 min read
Digital accessibility has been gaining the attention it deserves, and it's encouraging to see organizations and agencies prioritize it. However, as it becomes an urgent focus, many are turning to what vendors present as a silver bullet: automated overlay solutions that promise instant compliance with minimal effort. These third-party tools typically inject JavaScript code into the website to modify its content and functionality in real time.
-
\n Inktober: Embracing the Power of Ink and Creativity
September 25, 2024 • 6 min read
Do you enjoy creating for the sake of creating? Me too. There's something special about putting pen to paper. Each stroke is thoughtful, deliberate, and carries a sense of permanence. Unlike my typical tools of a code editor, Photoshop and a web browser (or digital creations), where every mistake can be erased with a click, creating in ink demands commitment.
-
\n The Evolution of Video Game Accessibility: Players and Developers
August 24, 2024 • 6 min read
In a previous post "Disability and Accessible Gaming" I talked about my takeaways from a great talk at SXSW 2024. Since then, it's been an interesting journey learning whatever I can from any resource that I can find. In conversations with others online, we discussed the disparity between how accessible the game play has become while the environment and tools available to those creating the games hasn't changed nearly as much.
-
\n Why PDF Accessibility Matters
July 7, 2024 • 6+ min read
Today, I'm going to talk about something pretty important, but often overlooked: making PDFs accessible. You might be wondering, "What does that mean?" Well, it's all about ensuring that everyone can read and understand the information in PDF documents, no matter who they are or what challenges they might face.
-
\n AI and Human Rights: Finding a Balance
June 14, 2024 • 5+ min read
With the highs and lows of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that are happening daily, I'm fascinated by the potential AI holds. Not only within the bounds of what some view as stochastic parrots, but also with the potential to advance humankind. Massive volumes of data may be processed by AI systems to uncover insights that can be used to address global issues like hunger, sickness, education disparities, and climate change. Is it being used for all of that? Probably not, but it could be.
-
\n Making Social Media Accessible
June 12, 2024 • 5 min read
Social media accessibility ensures an inclusive experience for all users, regardless of ability. One important aspect is providing alt text for images, which allows screen readers to describe images to users with visual impairments.
-
\n Understanding AI Bias
June 7, 2024 • 4+ min read
As artificial intelligence (AI) systems grow increasingly common in decision-making processes that affect people's lives, we must understand the various sorts of bias that might arise in machine learning models. AI, like humans, can exhibit biases; however, AI bias is embedded mathematically in training data and model design rather than through cognitive biases and heuristics.