5 Ways to get your team on board with accessibility. 1. Start with awareness by asking: a. Did you know how this works for screenreader users? b. Have you seen this cool app for color blind simulation c. Did you read this article on Harvard's efforts to caption their videos? 2. Chad discusses how to demonstrate easy wins 3. Learn how tracking time can help get people on board to cut down workflow 4. Find out the secrets of snacks and how they can open the door to accessibility acceptance 5. Enga...
Aug 30, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 29
This week Chad Chelius and Dax Castro talk about some of the key topics in their upcoming class "Designing with Accessibility in Mind" Listen in as they focus on things like the difference between Actual Text and Alt-text and you might be surprised at their discussion on PowerPoint and adding a description of decorative to the alt-text in the PPT draft. They also talk about AAA accessibility considerations and why it can be an unreachable goal to be 100% AAA compliant. Do not forget to use Promo...
Aug 23, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Check out this episode as we walk through 7 accessibility fails you would never know where there without testing with a NVDA. We sneak in about 5 or 6 other things to watch out for as well. If you don't have the PDF that goes with this episode you can download it on our website chaxchat.com or reach out to us on LinkedIn for a copy.
Aug 16, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Do you ask yourself "What do I want the end-user experience to be?" when designing your forms? What about the heading structure of your document? Chad and Dax take this episode to talk about what you should be asking and how your decisions impact the user's experience. We talk about forms, heading navigation, bookmarks, footnotes and endnotes, and even captions and where to put the accessible transcript when you have one. You definitely do not want to miss our discussion on the Shared Destinatio...
Aug 02, 2022•31 min•Season 2Ep. 26
There are so many good nuggets of info in this podcast on tables! If you struggle with tables, you cannot miss this episode. I think the biggest takeaway was when we go over the process of table self-discovery: Why did I put this in here? What do I hope the user will get out of it? Am I presenting it in a way that meets my goal? Why am I presenting it this way? Why are there so many compartments in this table? Do not forget to listen to the end for the 50% off ONE DAY ONLY promo code for our Acc...
Jul 25, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 25
We are really excited to share this week's accessibility podcast with you. We interview Senior Creative Manager "Jason" from a large healthcare organization about the challenges of balancing accessibility and workload in his department. He talks about their initial journey, understanding the gaps, and how his team is leveraging accessibility Subject Matter Experts to bring their designs across the accessibility finish line. Jason relates the realities of this delicate balance to maximize product...
Jul 22, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 24
Accessible SVGs (Scalable Vector Graphics) featuring Guest Heather Neff of Equivalent Design. If you have ever wanted to understand how smart SVG graphics can increase accessibility while maintaining brand style this is the podcast for you. Chad and Dax talk with Heather Neff about her goal to bring SVGs to the world "One graphic at a time." We talk about embedded alt-text and how WordPress now pulls description metadata straight from your images and how that can improve your search engine place...
Jul 11, 2022•43 min•Season 2Ep. 23
In this episode, Chad Chelius and Dax Castro talk about the difference in what you want and what you show as it relates to the idea of hiring more people with disabilities in your organization. We also discuss the article they wrote discussing why companies are turning to in-house accessibility remediation and compliance teams and the three common problems driving the decision. 1. Outsourcing accessibility can be expensive 2. Our workflow requires tight turnaround times 3. New commitment DEI Oth...
Jul 05, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 22
In this accessibility podcast, Chad Chelius and Dax Castro talk about common pitfalls in creating accessible PDF forms. We passionately discuss the merits of circles and squares related to checkboxes and radio buttons. We also share some great insights on our upcoming webinar Document Accessibility in Higher Education. Be sure to register on our website - Accessibilityunraveled.com. Other topics in this great podcast include: Your first blind student: Are you ready? Accessibility Workflow roadbl...
Jun 28, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 21
In this accessibility podcast, Chad Chelius and Dax Castro discuss what it actually means to be an accessibility advocate. Accessibility is piled on to most people's workload. However, taking a personal interest in digital accessibility usually takes hold after your first few months. But what does that really mean? What is the difference between being a remediator and an advocate? What do you do when there is pushback from your company? From a vendor? From your department? These can be tricky si...
Jun 22, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 20
This episode has lots of great tidbits but there are two standout sections of this podcast. We talk about the merits of an untagged PDF document that links to an HTML alternate version or to an email address. Is this an acceptable practice? We debate both sides. Listen in because I think you will very surprised when we tell you which agency is doing this. We also talk about Table structure and how the PDF/UA standard can help you understand if your tables need scope.
Jun 16, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 19
In this episode we are joined by accessibility advocate, blogger and TikTok personality James Warnken. We discuss James' new blog post:"Screen Magnifiers are no longer the option for low vision users." As a low-vision AT user, James shares with us his findings when he asked his TikTok audience what technology they use most. His answers are definitely insightful.
Jun 07, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Chad and Dax have joined force to use their accessibility superpowers for good! Please listen to our exciting announcement in this special short podcast episode. We talk about the upcoming online training "Document Testing with a Screen Reader" and all the exciting new features of the site including how you can book our time to solve those one-off problems in our booking calendar. If you register early you can save $75 off our first two classes and get 20% off your next one!
May 27, 2022•13 min•Season 2Ep. 18
In this podcast Chad and I talk about turning the InDesign limitations of exporting Caption Tags into a benefit. We also explore some alternate presentations to bar charts and how to deal with banks of images labeled by a single figure title. We also review two different references in the 14289-1 PDF/UA standard and how they apply to footnotes and figured. Be sure to stick around for our discussion on how solving one accessibility barrier can create another!
May 25, 2022•38 min•Season 2Ep. 17
How do you tag a catalog that has a full page of color swatches? Chad and Dax tackle this and several other burning questions. We review our amazing time at Creative Pro Week and Knowbility AccessU. Dax reveals a 'seemingly obvious' tip to change focus from the tags or bookmark bar to the main content using keyboard only in NVDA. Be sure to stick around to hear how Chad blew Dax's mind while on-stage at Creative Pro Week.
May 18, 2022•44 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Join Chad and Dax as they reveal several hidden techniques like disabling MS Word's Automatic Alt-text. Do you know what a Graphical Object is? Make sure you listen in and hear them explain some key principles of accessible color that many people misinterpret. Listen to Chad explain how accessibility is like a hole in a piece of paper. This is definitely an episode packed full of nuggets of wisdom.
May 03, 2022•42 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Join us and our guests from Goodmaps, Evelyn Tichenor, Chief of Staff & Mike May, Chief Evangelist as we talk about indoor mapping and the challenges of too little or too much information. We discuss the struggles of the visual world and how our brains are constantly artifacting items all around us. Goodmaps is a smartphone camera-based application that allows you to navigate a pre-mapped indoor environment. Do not miss Mike May talking about how travel is completely different for someone wi...
Apr 26, 2022•31 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Join us this week as we talk with Amanda Mace, one of two Australia-based W3C evangelists and Office Manager for the W3C's Australian Western Region and Vice President of Australasia for AbleDocs. In this episode we cover how to deal with multiple languages with a screen reader like NVDA and JAWS. Other topics include: • The nuances of English-US, English-AU, English-CA and English-UK • Install NVDA and JAWS language packs • The initial shock of always-on screen readers • How to silence your scr...
Apr 19, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Chris Smart brings a unique perspective as a native Assistive Technology user to the world of document accessibility. Listen in as Chad Chelius and Dax Castro, ADS dive into some of the struggles of using assistive technology and balancing features versus clear navigation. Additional topics include: • Creative Pro Week One-Two Punch • Guest Chris Smart Native AT User and Accessibility Tester • Accessible Form Frustrations • Scanned PDFs vs Print to PDF • Forms Mode Experiences • The List of List...
Apr 15, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Do not miss the details on how to get the free downloadable PDF entitled WCAG in Plain English that covers the principles you need to know for document accessibility. Chad and Dax recap their CSUN Assistive Technology Conference and how Chad ran into Stevie Wonder. Catch their discussion on Accessible Tables with Colors, the Drawbacks of Excel for Accessibility, Accessible Money and foreign currency with a screen reader.
Apr 04, 2022•47 min•Season 2Ep. 11
If you didn't get to see us live at the Center on Disabilities at CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, or get to watch the video, here is the audio podcast version of the show. It is PACKED with tons of info and almost a full hour long!!!! We even answered questions from our online and live audience. Topics include: • Dealing with Math Symbols in your documents • Missing spaces between words • Answering questions from listeners • Nothing about us without us: The best part of CSUN. • Creating an...
Mar 22, 2022•59 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Tune in this week to hear our guest Jeremy Seda from North Idaho College as we discuss some of the struggles of accessibility awareness at the college level and the ongoing state of document accessibility amidst the COVID Pandemic. This episode we discuss: Pave the Way for Global Accessibility Awareness Day (PWGAAD) - April 20, 2022 • Funkify Disability Simulation Plugin • How Jujitsu applies to Document Accessibility • Covid Cases or Inaccessible Information: Which grew faster? • How the CDC im...
Mar 08, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Join Chad and Dax as they preview their upcoming session at the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference on Document Accessibility in Higher Education. They discuss the problems with multiple source files, HTML as a 'more accessible' version of digital content as well as 4 things you can do today to create more accessible content. Be sure to stick around as they talk about WCAG and the PAC checker and when it is okay to delete a tag from the tags tree without triggering untagged content errors.
Mar 02, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Did you miss yesterday's NEW ACCESSIBILITY PODCAST Episode on PDF/UA Standards? We cover which standard to use and why. Do you know the difference between a block-level and inline-level element? We unravel the mystery. We even give you some great tips on how to use guides like 14289-1, the Matterhorn Protocol and the PDF/UA Syntax Guide to help further evaluate your documents for accessibility.
Feb 16, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Who knew there were this many facets of Bookmarks for Accessibility. Listen in as Chad and Dax dissect the nuances of accessible bookmarks! I guarantee you will learn at least one thing you didn't know. • Accessible Bookmarks • Keyboard Accessibility Gymnastics • Benefits of Bookmarks • When Are Bookmarks Required for Accessibility? • Do Headings Follow Bookmarks? • Designing your Documents with Bookmarks in Mind • WCAG SC 2.4.6 Heading and Labels • Leveraging AI to Detect Headings • Create Book...
Feb 08, 2022•30 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Join Chad and Dax as they have a candid discussion about a topic many shy away from: Risk. They answer the tough questions almost every accessibility specialist gets from their boss or client. "Who is gonna check anyway?" and "Isn't this enough?" and the ever-amazing kicker of a statement "There are not that many blind people who are gonna want this document." If you are struggling with answering these questions or just want to feel like someone else feels your pain, this episode is for you. I c...
Feb 01, 2022•25 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Listen in as Chad and Dax talk about some creative solutions to using color coding inside tables while still meeting accessibility. Be sure to catch us at the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference in Anaheim this March! This eposide includes the following: The Stoplight Syndrome Using Symbols to convey color in a table The Legend Matters for Accessibility When Size Doesn't Matter Actual Text for Blank Cells no-no Accessibility Roulette "Accessibility at the End" has a Cost Presenting Alternatives...
Jan 25, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Start out the new year right by setting your accessibility goals for 2022. Listen in as Chad and Dax talk about how to set your goals by evaluating where you are in some key categories of accessibility and how to set a game plan for growing your accessibility skill set in 2022. Score yourself from 1 to 10 in each of the areas we talk about. Then develop a game plan to improve in those areas and re-evaluate yourself every 3 months to keep accountable.
Jan 13, 2022•29 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In this episode we cover ways to increase productivity when assigning alt-text for large libraries of images. Topics include: • Automating Alt-text • How to make writing Alt-text easier • Storing Alt-text in Meta Data • Creating Alt-text in bulk • Alt-text Object Styles for InDesign • Alt-text Headline, Title and Description • Three ways to set Meta Data • Importing Accessible Styles • Setting default styles for every document
Dec 15, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Join Chad Chelius and me, Dax Castro as we unravel the question "What standard to do I follow?" Learn when should I aim for AAA Compliance and the difference between WCAG and PDF/UA. Find out how to know the document is really accessible? We discuss some tips on writing alt-text vs providing alternate formats and be sure to stick around and listen to my first call with Be My Eyes and how it completely failed!
Dec 07, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 37
