Web Design Update: December 30, 2025
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Laura Carlson
Dec 30, 2025, 4:05:47 AM (12 days ago) 12/30/25
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+++ WEB DESIGN UPDATE.
- Volume 26, Issue 27, December 30, 2025.
An email newsletter to distribute news and information about web design and development.
++ISSUE 27 CONTENTS.
SECTION ONE: New references.
What's new at the Web Design Reference site?
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/
New links in these categories:
01: ACCESSIBILITY.
02: CASCADING STYLE SHEETS.
03: EVENTS.
04: HTML.
05: JAVASCRIPT.
06: MISCELLANEOUS.
SECTION TWO:
07: What Can You Find at the Web Design Reference Site?
[Contents ends.]
++ SECTION ONE: New references.
+07: ACCESSIBILITY.
Values
By Eric Eggert.
"…It's not (just) about crossing t's and dotting i's to ensure conformance, it is about teaching designers, developers, project managers, and beyond the importance of accessibility and how to use it to make more inclusive and less ableist decisions that lead to better outcome…Telling people that accessibility 'so close to 100% in a way that it doesn't matter is possible with 'AI' is a gut punch. It undermines the expertise and the versatility of the profession. It makes accessibility a technological problem, but it is a human problem…"
https://yatil.net/blog/values
2026 Predictions: The Next Big Shifts in Web Accessibility
By John Northup.
"As I gaze ahead to 2026, several trends are already taking shape. These are more than theories and ideas; they are practical shifts that website owners are beginning to feel today."
https://webaim.org/blog/2026-predictions/
Five Accessibility Trends to Watch in 2026
By Sheri Byrne-Haber.
"Accessibility methodology continues to mature. In many organizations, it is moving beyond ad hoc remediation toward more structured, repeatable practices…"
https://buttondown.com/access-ability/archive/five-accessibility-trends-to-watch-in-2026/
Reading the Tea Leaves: The Future of Accessibility (Video)
By Stewart Hay, Ben Moxey, Natasha Ballantyne and Joe Devon.
"Technology keeps evolving fast - so where does accessibility go from here? Our panellists will explore emerging trends shaping the future of digital accessibility, from AI-driven tools to inclusive design for immersive experiences. Join them for a conversation about the technologies, policies, and practices that will define accessibility in the years ahead - and how we can all help shape what comes next…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eEyyZYwgEE
When Accessibility Isn't Easy: Website Features That Need Extra Love (Video)
By Suzanne Dergacheva.
"Not all parts of a website are equally straightforward when it comes to accessibility. Some features - especially custom interactions like maps, filters, calendars, and sliders - pose significant challenges that can slow down a project if they're not identified early. In this session, we'll explore real-world examples of features and design patterns that often require additional attention to meet accessibility standards…"
https://a11ytalks.com/posts/2025-sep
PSA Disabled is the New Normal (Video)
By Ricky Onsman.
"Did you know that 'normal' only started being applied to human beings in the 19th century? Isn't it time we accepted that disabled people are normal? Why is that even a question? Ricky Onsman leads a brief, light-hearted yet serious exploration of how language has misled us, and how we still mislead ourselves on impairment, disability, and accessibility, and what's normal (this speaker included).…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoYavlJt9TA
Mobile Accessibility: Testing Mobile Sites and Native Apps for Accessibility (Video)
By Gian Wild.
"Gian Wild takes you through the new Mobile Accessibility Testing Guidelines, developed by a worldwide bipartisan group of accessibility specialists. Learn how to test mobile sites and native apps, and what assistive technologies / mobile features you should include in your testing…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFDIZ_0w3Zg
Keynote: Fireside Chat (Video)
By Jennison Asuncion and Sarah Pulis.
"Jennison Asuncion joined Sarah Pulis for a Fireside Chat at A11y Camp 2025. As Co-Founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) and Head of Accessibility Engineering Evangelism at LinkedIn, Jennison brings years of leadership and community building experience. This informal conversation dived into his accessibility journey, lessons learned along the way, and what still drives him to keep pushing for a more inclusive digital world…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iea87AgPR7w
Measuring Digital Accessibility From Compliance to Impact (Video)
By Sarah Pulis.
"Are you ready to move beyond reactive, compliance-focused accessibility and build a proactive, genuinely inclusive digital accessibility program? Measuring accessibility maturity helps you understand where you are now, and where you need to go next, and how to track progress over time…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7Yid5s-0i0
Hitchhiker's Guide to Accessibility (Video)
By Michelle Macdonald.
"Faced with rapidly changing technologies and increasing number of testing tools, assistive technologies and devices, it can be a real challenge to decide how to approach and execute speedy testing for web accessibility. This talk is a series of sci-fi stylised episodes, to show how to make the warp speed transition into accessibility testing…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cYQYLzA7y8
Screen-reader + Maths = ??? (Video)
By Matthew Mack.
"When a field of study goes into the arcane and abstract, riddled with mysterious Arabic numerals and Greek letters encoding theoretical concepts that underpin much of humanity's prowess, one would wonder: How does one make it easier for everyone to engage in such a riveting discipline?! In this presentation I'll provide a brief overview of maths accessibility scenarios and various solutions, with interesting tidbits from far-reaching corners of the internet!…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti57aPtAqXM
From Checkbox to Culture Scaling Accessibility for 500+ (Video)
By Pawel Wodkowski.
"'How do we know accessibility is actually improving?' This leadership question exposed a critical gap in our accessibility efforts. Despite strong enthusiasm and numerous activities, our teams operated in silos, unable to learn from each other's experiences. Learn how we identified the missing links between teams, bridged knowledge gaps, and shifted from disconnected initiatives to building a structured, measurable accessibility practice that scales…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZSCYu5u6qM
Your Post is Cool, but is it Accessible and Inclusive? (Video)
By Ina Tsvetkova.
"Couldn't see it. Couldn't hear it. Couldn't understand it. You create social media content to reach people. But what if your post is unintentionally excluding millions? You don't need to be a tech expert to make a difference. This presentation shows how, with just a few small details, you can make your social media content more accessible and inclusive for everyone…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIbsV_Lujbc
Why Accessible Video Is Still Not Possible on Instagram
By Chris Yoong.
"…for millions of disabled people, the short-form-video experience is incomplete, frustrating, and often exclusionary…"
https://a11yblog.com/2025/12/15/why-accessible-video-is-still-not-possible-on-instagram/
Icelandic and Language of Parts
By Amy Carney.
"…Specifying a language change in text makes your content more understandable. Language changes can be noted through HTML elements or PDF tag properties…"
https://theamycarney.com/2025/12/17/language-of-parts/
People With Reduced Vision: Technology Settings and Possible Impacts
By Russ Weakley.
"…Designing for these adjustments is not about catering to edge cases. It is about building products that continue to work when people change zoom, text size, or colour settings, so fewer people experience barriers."
https://www.maxdesign.com.au/articles/reduced-vision.html
Testing Methods: Error Identification
By Dennis Deacon.
"A hybrid approach to testing WCAG 3.3.1 Error Identification combines automation, AI, and manual expertise to ensure clear, actionable error feedback. This balanced method verifies technical compliance, evaluates usability, and validates real-world accessibility for all users…"
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-error-identification/
Testing Methods: Labels or Instructions
By Dennis Deacon.
"Testing WCAG 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions requires a hybrid approach. Automated tools check structure, AI evaluates clarity and context, and manual testing validates real-world usability, ensuring labels guide users effectively, reduce errors, and deliver inclusive, intuitive experiences…"
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-labels-or-instructions/
Testing Methods: Error Suggestion
By Dennis Deacon.
"A hybrid approach to testing WCAG 3.3.3 Error Suggestion combines automation for coverage, AI for contextual insight, and manual testing for empathy and precision, ensuring error messages are not just present, but meaningful, actionable, and supportive of every user's success."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-error-suggestion/
Testing Methods: Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data)
By Dennis Deacon.
"Testing WCAG 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) requires a hybrid approach. Automated tools check for basic compliance, AI simulates user interactions to detect risks, and manual testing validates real-world usability, ensuring users can safely review, confirm, or reverse critical actions."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-error-prevention-legal-financial-data/
Testing Methods: Help
By Dennis Deacon.
"Testing WCAG 3.3.5 Help requires a hybrid approach combining automated checks, AI analysis, and manual evaluation. Automated tools verify technical implementation, AI assesses clarity and relevance, and manual testing ensures guidance is actionable and effective for diverse users."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-help/
Testing Methods: Error Prevention (All)
By Dennis Deacon.
"Testing WCAG 3.3.6 Error Prevention (All) protects users from high-stakes mistakes. A hybrid approach, automated scans, AI simulations, and manual validation, ensures confirmation steps, warnings, and review flows are accessible, clear, and truly user-centered."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-error-prevention-all/
Testing Methods: Redundant Entry
By Dennis Deacon.
"WCAG 3.3.7 Redundant Entry ensures users don't repeatedly enter the same information, reducing errors and friction. Testing requires a hybrid approach: automated scans, AI-simulated workflows, and manual review to confirm prefilled data is accurate, editable, and accessible."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-redundant-entry/
Testing Methods: Accessible Authentication (Minimum)
By Dennis Deacon.
"A hybrid approach to testing WCAG 3.3.8 combines automation, AI, and manual testing to ensure authentication is truly inclusive, eliminating cognitive barriers, validating real-world usability, and proving that secure access can also be seamless and accessible for every user."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-accessible-authentication-minimum/
Testing Methods: Accessible Authentication (Enhanced)
By Dennis Deacon.
"Testing WCAG 3.3.9 Accessible Authentication (Enhanced) requires a hybrid approach: automated tools catch technical issues, AI predicts cognitive and usability barriers, and manual testing with real users validates inclusive, secure authentication flows for all abilities."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-accessible-authentication-enhanced/
+02: CASCADING STYLE SHEETS.
Tests for CSS Generated Content Alternative Text
By Russ Weakley.
"Sometimes, designers use CSS content: to add text or icons before or after elements. If that content is meant to be seen, it might also need an accessible version for people who can't see it…"
https://www.maxdesign.com.au/articles/test-cases-css-content.html
Class Names for Content Not Design
By Darice de Cuba.
"One of the first thing I learned when I started coding HTML, besides using div instead of tables for the layout, was naming classes…"
https://www.htmhell.dev/adventcalendar/2025/26/
+03: EVENTS.
Accessibility in Technology Procurement and Use
January 21, 2026.
Online
https://webaim.org/training/procurement/
Virtual Web Accessibility Training
February 18-19, 2026.
Online
https://webaim.org/training/virtual/
Web Con
April 9-10, 2026.
Online
https://webcon.illinois.edu/
ACM SIGUCCS 2026 Annual Conference
Philadelphia Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
April 12-15, 2026.
https://siguccs.org/Conference/2026/
+04: HTML.
The HTML Elements Time Forgot
By Declan Chidlow.
"We often think of the web as forever backwards compatible and never breaking, but that plainly isn't the case. As we've seen, there are plenty of elements that have been left behind in the march of progress. The web evolves, standards change, and what was once cutting-edge becomes a curious footnote in the platform's history…"
https://htmhell.dev/adventcalendar/2025/22/
Why role="button" on a <button> Does Nothing
By Russ Weakley.
"…Takeaway: The best accessibility practice is to use native HTML elements wherever possible. ARIA should only be used when native semantics are missing, insufficient, or need to be intentionally replaced…"
https://www.maxdesign.com.au/articles/role-button.html
The Final Nail in the HTML5 Document Outline Coffin
By Martin Underhill.
"…Firefox and Chrome removed the visual support for the HTML5 document outline algorithm some time ago:
* Firefox in version 138, April 2025
* Chrome around July 2025
So I was heartened to see that the recent release of Safari 26.2 has done the same…"
https://www.tempertemper.net/blog/the-final-nail-in-the-html5-document-outline-coffin
Replacing JS With Just HTML
By Aaron T. Grogg.
"…as time marches on, and the HTML and CSS methods gain traction, we need to start replacing the old JS methods that feel so comfy with new methods that require less JS…"
https://www.htmhell.dev/adventcalendar/2025/27/
Abbreviations Done Right: The <abbr> Element and Why Not Use It
By Alexander Muzenhardt.
"…The biggest problem with the <abbr> element is that its title attribute behaves completely inconsistently across browsers, and some assistive technologies do not read parts of it at all…The easiest way to make abbreviations accessible is to spell them out the first time they appear, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses or vice versa…"
https://htmhell.dev/adventcalendar/2025/25/
HTML Input Validation is (Maybe) Good
By Wes Goulet.
"I think of client-side validation as a progressive enhancement for your users…"
https://www.htmhell.dev/adventcalendar/2025/28/
How To Dynamically Install Custom Elements
By Heydon Pickering.
"Today, I want to look into one very specific topic in excruciating technical detail: how to dynamically load custom elements…"
https://heydonworks.com/article/dynamically-loading-custom-elements/
+05: JAVASCRIPT.
React Native: What Accessibility Professionals Need To Know (Video)
By Matthew Hallonbacka and Elina Niem.
"React Native is a popular way to build cross-platform mobile apps, but how does it fare accessibility-wise? Does it make building highly accessible experiences easy, or does it create new barriers? From our experience working on Finland's most popular online grocery service, we'll share a few of the most challenging issues making React Native apps work for disabled users, and how we've addressed them…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lsLmyquH1A
Did You Know Some ARIA Roles Remove Child Semantics?
By Russ Weakley.
"Some ARIA roles can completely remove their children's semantics…"
https://www.maxdesign.com.au/articles/aria-roles-semantics.html
Eight Quick Things to Remember When Using aria-owns
By Russ Weakley.
"This article looks at aria-owns from both a specification perspective and a practical, real-world perspective…"
https://www.maxdesign.com.au/articles/aria-owns.html
+06: MISCELLANEOUS.
A Decade of Accessibility Weekly
By David A. Kennedy.
"A decade ago, I started a newsletter called Accessibility Weekly to help people learn about web accessibility…"
https://davidakennedy.com/blog/a-decade-of-accessibility-weekly/
Dear Mozilla, I Don't Want an 'Al Kill Switch', I Want a More Responsible Approach for All
By Hidde de Vries.
"My concern is that Mozilla is too excited about a technology that has inherent downsides and ethical problems, and I would like to see (even) better defaults and (even) clearer risk mitigations…"
https://hidde.blog/mozilla-ai-kill-switch/
"Dear Mozilla…"
By Adrian Roselli.
"Unlike Hidde, I think the alt text argument is mostly bunk…"
https://toot.cafe/@aardrian/115792318515494435
[Section one ends.]
++ SECTION TWO:
+17: What Can You Find at the Web Design Reference Site?
Accessibility Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/accessibility.html
Association Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/associations.html
Book Listings.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/books.html
Cascading Style Sheets Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/css.html
Color Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/color.html
Drupal Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/drupal.html
Evaluation & Testing Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/testing.html
Event Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/events.html
HTML Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/html.html
Information Architecture Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/architecture.html
JavaScript Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/javascript.html
Miscellaneous Web Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/misc.html
Navigation Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/navigation.html
PHP Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/php.html
Sites & Blogs Listing.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/sites.html
Standards, Guidelines & Pattern Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/standards.html
Tool Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/tools.html
Typography Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/type.html
Usability Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/usability.html
WebWaste & Sustainability Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/webwaste.html
XML Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/xml.html
[Section two ends.]
++END NOTES.
+ SUBSCRIPTION INFO.
WEB DESIGN UPDATE is available by subscription. For information on how to subscribe and unsubscribe please visit:
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/webdev_listserv.html
The Web Design Reference Site also has a RSS 2.0 feed for site updates.
+ TEXT EMAIL NEWSLETTER (TEN).
As a navigation aid for screen readers we do our best to conform to the accessible Text Email Newsletter (TEN) guidelines. Please let me know if there is anything else we can do to make navigation easier. For TEN guideline information please visit:
http://www.headstar.com/ten
+ SIGN OFF.
Until next time,
Laura L. Carlson
Information Technology Systems and Services
University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN U.S.A. 55812-3009
mailto:lcar...@d.umn.edu
[Issue ends.]
- Volume 26, Issue 27, December 30, 2025.
An email newsletter to distribute news and information about web design and development.
++ISSUE 27 CONTENTS.
SECTION ONE: New references.
What's new at the Web Design Reference site?
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/
New links in these categories:
01: ACCESSIBILITY.
02: CASCADING STYLE SHEETS.
03: EVENTS.
04: HTML.
05: JAVASCRIPT.
06: MISCELLANEOUS.
SECTION TWO:
07: What Can You Find at the Web Design Reference Site?
[Contents ends.]
++ SECTION ONE: New references.
+07: ACCESSIBILITY.
Values
By Eric Eggert.
"…It's not (just) about crossing t's and dotting i's to ensure conformance, it is about teaching designers, developers, project managers, and beyond the importance of accessibility and how to use it to make more inclusive and less ableist decisions that lead to better outcome…Telling people that accessibility 'so close to 100% in a way that it doesn't matter is possible with 'AI' is a gut punch. It undermines the expertise and the versatility of the profession. It makes accessibility a technological problem, but it is a human problem…"
https://yatil.net/blog/values
2026 Predictions: The Next Big Shifts in Web Accessibility
By John Northup.
"As I gaze ahead to 2026, several trends are already taking shape. These are more than theories and ideas; they are practical shifts that website owners are beginning to feel today."
https://webaim.org/blog/2026-predictions/
Five Accessibility Trends to Watch in 2026
By Sheri Byrne-Haber.
"Accessibility methodology continues to mature. In many organizations, it is moving beyond ad hoc remediation toward more structured, repeatable practices…"
https://buttondown.com/access-ability/archive/five-accessibility-trends-to-watch-in-2026/
Reading the Tea Leaves: The Future of Accessibility (Video)
By Stewart Hay, Ben Moxey, Natasha Ballantyne and Joe Devon.
"Technology keeps evolving fast - so where does accessibility go from here? Our panellists will explore emerging trends shaping the future of digital accessibility, from AI-driven tools to inclusive design for immersive experiences. Join them for a conversation about the technologies, policies, and practices that will define accessibility in the years ahead - and how we can all help shape what comes next…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eEyyZYwgEE
When Accessibility Isn't Easy: Website Features That Need Extra Love (Video)
By Suzanne Dergacheva.
"Not all parts of a website are equally straightforward when it comes to accessibility. Some features - especially custom interactions like maps, filters, calendars, and sliders - pose significant challenges that can slow down a project if they're not identified early. In this session, we'll explore real-world examples of features and design patterns that often require additional attention to meet accessibility standards…"
https://a11ytalks.com/posts/2025-sep
PSA Disabled is the New Normal (Video)
By Ricky Onsman.
"Did you know that 'normal' only started being applied to human beings in the 19th century? Isn't it time we accepted that disabled people are normal? Why is that even a question? Ricky Onsman leads a brief, light-hearted yet serious exploration of how language has misled us, and how we still mislead ourselves on impairment, disability, and accessibility, and what's normal (this speaker included).…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoYavlJt9TA
Mobile Accessibility: Testing Mobile Sites and Native Apps for Accessibility (Video)
By Gian Wild.
"Gian Wild takes you through the new Mobile Accessibility Testing Guidelines, developed by a worldwide bipartisan group of accessibility specialists. Learn how to test mobile sites and native apps, and what assistive technologies / mobile features you should include in your testing…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFDIZ_0w3Zg
Keynote: Fireside Chat (Video)
By Jennison Asuncion and Sarah Pulis.
"Jennison Asuncion joined Sarah Pulis for a Fireside Chat at A11y Camp 2025. As Co-Founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) and Head of Accessibility Engineering Evangelism at LinkedIn, Jennison brings years of leadership and community building experience. This informal conversation dived into his accessibility journey, lessons learned along the way, and what still drives him to keep pushing for a more inclusive digital world…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iea87AgPR7w
Measuring Digital Accessibility From Compliance to Impact (Video)
By Sarah Pulis.
"Are you ready to move beyond reactive, compliance-focused accessibility and build a proactive, genuinely inclusive digital accessibility program? Measuring accessibility maturity helps you understand where you are now, and where you need to go next, and how to track progress over time…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7Yid5s-0i0
Hitchhiker's Guide to Accessibility (Video)
By Michelle Macdonald.
"Faced with rapidly changing technologies and increasing number of testing tools, assistive technologies and devices, it can be a real challenge to decide how to approach and execute speedy testing for web accessibility. This talk is a series of sci-fi stylised episodes, to show how to make the warp speed transition into accessibility testing…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cYQYLzA7y8
Screen-reader + Maths = ??? (Video)
By Matthew Mack.
"When a field of study goes into the arcane and abstract, riddled with mysterious Arabic numerals and Greek letters encoding theoretical concepts that underpin much of humanity's prowess, one would wonder: How does one make it easier for everyone to engage in such a riveting discipline?! In this presentation I'll provide a brief overview of maths accessibility scenarios and various solutions, with interesting tidbits from far-reaching corners of the internet!…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti57aPtAqXM
From Checkbox to Culture Scaling Accessibility for 500+ (Video)
By Pawel Wodkowski.
"'How do we know accessibility is actually improving?' This leadership question exposed a critical gap in our accessibility efforts. Despite strong enthusiasm and numerous activities, our teams operated in silos, unable to learn from each other's experiences. Learn how we identified the missing links between teams, bridged knowledge gaps, and shifted from disconnected initiatives to building a structured, measurable accessibility practice that scales…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZSCYu5u6qM
Your Post is Cool, but is it Accessible and Inclusive? (Video)
By Ina Tsvetkova.
"Couldn't see it. Couldn't hear it. Couldn't understand it. You create social media content to reach people. But what if your post is unintentionally excluding millions? You don't need to be a tech expert to make a difference. This presentation shows how, with just a few small details, you can make your social media content more accessible and inclusive for everyone…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIbsV_Lujbc
Why Accessible Video Is Still Not Possible on Instagram
By Chris Yoong.
"…for millions of disabled people, the short-form-video experience is incomplete, frustrating, and often exclusionary…"
https://a11yblog.com/2025/12/15/why-accessible-video-is-still-not-possible-on-instagram/
Icelandic and Language of Parts
By Amy Carney.
"…Specifying a language change in text makes your content more understandable. Language changes can be noted through HTML elements or PDF tag properties…"
https://theamycarney.com/2025/12/17/language-of-parts/
People With Reduced Vision: Technology Settings and Possible Impacts
By Russ Weakley.
"…Designing for these adjustments is not about catering to edge cases. It is about building products that continue to work when people change zoom, text size, or colour settings, so fewer people experience barriers."
https://www.maxdesign.com.au/articles/reduced-vision.html
Testing Methods: Error Identification
By Dennis Deacon.
"A hybrid approach to testing WCAG 3.3.1 Error Identification combines automation, AI, and manual expertise to ensure clear, actionable error feedback. This balanced method verifies technical compliance, evaluates usability, and validates real-world accessibility for all users…"
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-error-identification/
Testing Methods: Labels or Instructions
By Dennis Deacon.
"Testing WCAG 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions requires a hybrid approach. Automated tools check structure, AI evaluates clarity and context, and manual testing validates real-world usability, ensuring labels guide users effectively, reduce errors, and deliver inclusive, intuitive experiences…"
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-labels-or-instructions/
Testing Methods: Error Suggestion
By Dennis Deacon.
"A hybrid approach to testing WCAG 3.3.3 Error Suggestion combines automation for coverage, AI for contextual insight, and manual testing for empathy and precision, ensuring error messages are not just present, but meaningful, actionable, and supportive of every user's success."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-error-suggestion/
Testing Methods: Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data)
By Dennis Deacon.
"Testing WCAG 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) requires a hybrid approach. Automated tools check for basic compliance, AI simulates user interactions to detect risks, and manual testing validates real-world usability, ensuring users can safely review, confirm, or reverse critical actions."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-error-prevention-legal-financial-data/
Testing Methods: Help
By Dennis Deacon.
"Testing WCAG 3.3.5 Help requires a hybrid approach combining automated checks, AI analysis, and manual evaluation. Automated tools verify technical implementation, AI assesses clarity and relevance, and manual testing ensures guidance is actionable and effective for diverse users."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-help/
Testing Methods: Error Prevention (All)
By Dennis Deacon.
"Testing WCAG 3.3.6 Error Prevention (All) protects users from high-stakes mistakes. A hybrid approach, automated scans, AI simulations, and manual validation, ensures confirmation steps, warnings, and review flows are accessible, clear, and truly user-centered."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-error-prevention-all/
Testing Methods: Redundant Entry
By Dennis Deacon.
"WCAG 3.3.7 Redundant Entry ensures users don't repeatedly enter the same information, reducing errors and friction. Testing requires a hybrid approach: automated scans, AI-simulated workflows, and manual review to confirm prefilled data is accurate, editable, and accessible."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-redundant-entry/
Testing Methods: Accessible Authentication (Minimum)
By Dennis Deacon.
"A hybrid approach to testing WCAG 3.3.8 combines automation, AI, and manual testing to ensure authentication is truly inclusive, eliminating cognitive barriers, validating real-world usability, and proving that secure access can also be seamless and accessible for every user."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-accessible-authentication-minimum/
Testing Methods: Accessible Authentication (Enhanced)
By Dennis Deacon.
"Testing WCAG 3.3.9 Accessible Authentication (Enhanced) requires a hybrid approach: automated tools catch technical issues, AI predicts cognitive and usability barriers, and manual testing with real users validates inclusive, secure authentication flows for all abilities."
https://www.dennisdeacon.com/web/accessibility/testing-methods-accessible-authentication-enhanced/
+02: CASCADING STYLE SHEETS.
Tests for CSS Generated Content Alternative Text
By Russ Weakley.
"Sometimes, designers use CSS content: to add text or icons before or after elements. If that content is meant to be seen, it might also need an accessible version for people who can't see it…"
https://www.maxdesign.com.au/articles/test-cases-css-content.html
Class Names for Content Not Design
By Darice de Cuba.
"One of the first thing I learned when I started coding HTML, besides using div instead of tables for the layout, was naming classes…"
https://www.htmhell.dev/adventcalendar/2025/26/
+03: EVENTS.
Accessibility in Technology Procurement and Use
January 21, 2026.
Online
https://webaim.org/training/procurement/
Virtual Web Accessibility Training
February 18-19, 2026.
Online
https://webaim.org/training/virtual/
Web Con
April 9-10, 2026.
Online
https://webcon.illinois.edu/
ACM SIGUCCS 2026 Annual Conference
Philadelphia Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
April 12-15, 2026.
https://siguccs.org/Conference/2026/
+04: HTML.
The HTML Elements Time Forgot
By Declan Chidlow.
"We often think of the web as forever backwards compatible and never breaking, but that plainly isn't the case. As we've seen, there are plenty of elements that have been left behind in the march of progress. The web evolves, standards change, and what was once cutting-edge becomes a curious footnote in the platform's history…"
https://htmhell.dev/adventcalendar/2025/22/
Why role="button" on a <button> Does Nothing
By Russ Weakley.
"…Takeaway: The best accessibility practice is to use native HTML elements wherever possible. ARIA should only be used when native semantics are missing, insufficient, or need to be intentionally replaced…"
https://www.maxdesign.com.au/articles/role-button.html
The Final Nail in the HTML5 Document Outline Coffin
By Martin Underhill.
"…Firefox and Chrome removed the visual support for the HTML5 document outline algorithm some time ago:
* Firefox in version 138, April 2025
* Chrome around July 2025
So I was heartened to see that the recent release of Safari 26.2 has done the same…"
https://www.tempertemper.net/blog/the-final-nail-in-the-html5-document-outline-coffin
Replacing JS With Just HTML
By Aaron T. Grogg.
"…as time marches on, and the HTML and CSS methods gain traction, we need to start replacing the old JS methods that feel so comfy with new methods that require less JS…"
https://www.htmhell.dev/adventcalendar/2025/27/
Abbreviations Done Right: The <abbr> Element and Why Not Use It
By Alexander Muzenhardt.
"…The biggest problem with the <abbr> element is that its title attribute behaves completely inconsistently across browsers, and some assistive technologies do not read parts of it at all…The easiest way to make abbreviations accessible is to spell them out the first time they appear, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses or vice versa…"
https://htmhell.dev/adventcalendar/2025/25/
HTML Input Validation is (Maybe) Good
By Wes Goulet.
"I think of client-side validation as a progressive enhancement for your users…"
https://www.htmhell.dev/adventcalendar/2025/28/
How To Dynamically Install Custom Elements
By Heydon Pickering.
"Today, I want to look into one very specific topic in excruciating technical detail: how to dynamically load custom elements…"
https://heydonworks.com/article/dynamically-loading-custom-elements/
+05: JAVASCRIPT.
React Native: What Accessibility Professionals Need To Know (Video)
By Matthew Hallonbacka and Elina Niem.
"React Native is a popular way to build cross-platform mobile apps, but how does it fare accessibility-wise? Does it make building highly accessible experiences easy, or does it create new barriers? From our experience working on Finland's most popular online grocery service, we'll share a few of the most challenging issues making React Native apps work for disabled users, and how we've addressed them…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lsLmyquH1A
Did You Know Some ARIA Roles Remove Child Semantics?
By Russ Weakley.
"Some ARIA roles can completely remove their children's semantics…"
https://www.maxdesign.com.au/articles/aria-roles-semantics.html
Eight Quick Things to Remember When Using aria-owns
By Russ Weakley.
"This article looks at aria-owns from both a specification perspective and a practical, real-world perspective…"
https://www.maxdesign.com.au/articles/aria-owns.html
+06: MISCELLANEOUS.
A Decade of Accessibility Weekly
By David A. Kennedy.
"A decade ago, I started a newsletter called Accessibility Weekly to help people learn about web accessibility…"
https://davidakennedy.com/blog/a-decade-of-accessibility-weekly/
Dear Mozilla, I Don't Want an 'Al Kill Switch', I Want a More Responsible Approach for All
By Hidde de Vries.
"My concern is that Mozilla is too excited about a technology that has inherent downsides and ethical problems, and I would like to see (even) better defaults and (even) clearer risk mitigations…"
https://hidde.blog/mozilla-ai-kill-switch/
"Dear Mozilla…"
By Adrian Roselli.
"Unlike Hidde, I think the alt text argument is mostly bunk…"
https://toot.cafe/@aardrian/115792318515494435
[Section one ends.]
++ SECTION TWO:
+17: What Can You Find at the Web Design Reference Site?
Accessibility Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/accessibility.html
Association Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/associations.html
Book Listings.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/books.html
Cascading Style Sheets Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/css.html
Color Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/color.html
Drupal Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/drupal.html
Evaluation & Testing Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/testing.html
Event Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/events.html
HTML Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/html.html
Information Architecture Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/architecture.html
JavaScript Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/javascript.html
Miscellaneous Web Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/misc.html
Navigation Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/navigation.html
PHP Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/php.html
Sites & Blogs Listing.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/sites.html
Standards, Guidelines & Pattern Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/standards.html
Tool Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/tools.html
Typography Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/type.html
Usability Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/usability.html
WebWaste & Sustainability Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/webwaste.html
XML Information.
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/xml.html
[Section two ends.]
++END NOTES.
+ SUBSCRIPTION INFO.
WEB DESIGN UPDATE is available by subscription. For information on how to subscribe and unsubscribe please visit:
https://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/webdev_listserv.html
The Web Design Reference Site also has a RSS 2.0 feed for site updates.
+ TEXT EMAIL NEWSLETTER (TEN).
As a navigation aid for screen readers we do our best to conform to the accessible Text Email Newsletter (TEN) guidelines. Please let me know if there is anything else we can do to make navigation easier. For TEN guideline information please visit:
http://www.headstar.com/ten
+ SIGN OFF.
Until next time,
Laura L. Carlson
Information Technology Systems and Services
University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN U.S.A. 55812-3009
mailto:lcar...@d.umn.edu
[Issue ends.]
Laura L. Carlson
Information Technology Systems and Services
University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN U.S.A. 55812-3009
http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/
W3C Invited Expert
Accessibility Guidelines Working Group
https://www.w3.org/groups/wg/ag/participants
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Information Technology Systems and Services
University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN U.S.A. 55812-3009
http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/training/online/webdesign/
W3C Invited Expert
Accessibility Guidelines Working Group
https://www.w3.org/groups/wg/ag/participants
Pronouns: she/her/hers
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