October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to celebrate the diverse talents and contributions individuals with disabilities bring to the workplace. This year's theme, "Access to Good Jobs for All," emphasizes...
A design system is a central resource collection of reusable components that streamline digital product development, ensuring consistency and efficiency. An accessible design system includes accessibility documentation, guidelines, and...
Have you ever found yourself staring at a CAPTCHA, squinting and tilting your head, trying to decipher the distorted letters or images? CAPTCHAs are notoriously inaccessible. So why do so many websites use them? And how can they be made more...
We're excited to celebrate Penny Kronz's recent win at the HighEdWeb Annual Conference! For her presentation, "Accessibility Insights," Penny was awarded the coveted Red Stapler Award. This is her second year in a row to win this prestigious...
Email plays a vital role in both personal and professional communications and interactions. However, its effectiveness hinges on ensuring it's accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. Accessible emails are just as important as...
People with low vision often need to resize text to make it more easily readable. Understanding the units px, em, and rem is essential for creating websites that accommodate these needs. In this post, we'll explore the differences between these...
Tables are powerful tools for organizing and presenting information clearly and concisely. Still, if not designed correctly, they can also be a source of frustration for people with disabilities, especially screen reader users. This...
"You say tomato; I say tomoto." This familiar phrase highlights the differences in pronunciation but underscores the importance of personal choice and preference. When it comes to language, the choice between Person-First and Identity-First...
As a proud supporter since 2018, DubBot is thrilled to continue our sponsorship with HighEdWeb. This year, DubBot is a Platinum Sponsor and Accessibility Partner for the HighEdWeb Annual Conference. Join us in person (or virtually) for the Annual...
DubBot is proud to be a sponsor for #EvolveDrupal NYC! This outstanding event is hosted by our partner and friends at Evolving Web. DubBot’s VP of Client Services, Penny Kronz, will deliver her presentation titled...
This is the second blog in a series titled "Social Media & AllY." See part one here - "Social Media & AllY - Part 1: Design Elements & Written Content." Part two of a two-part blog series explores practical tips for creating...
Social media has become an integral part of our lives, connecting us with friends, family, and communities. However, navigating these platforms can often be challenging for individuals with disabilities. Creating accessible social media content...
Hey there, DubBot fans! Want to show off your love for DubBot? We've got just the thing for you! Complete this short web form, and we'll send you a free DubBot sticker..or two! It's a small token of appreciation for being part of the DubBot...
In our recent blog post, "The Accessible PDF: Techniques for Creating a Document Everyone Can Use," we discussed the essential characteristics of an accessible PDF document: Proper Structure Readable and Searchable Text ALT Text Logical...
What is Tabindex? "The tabindex global attribute allows developers to make HTML elements focusable, allow or prevent them from being sequentially focusable (usually with the Tab key, hence the name), and determine their relative ordering for...
The decisions designers make regarding colors, spacing, fonts, etc., directly impact the accessibility and inclusivity of the websites they design. Accessibility is crucial for website designers. This checklist offers practical...
As accessibility considers users with disabilities, website performance considers devices and connection speeds. Optimizing for performance is critical to creating a genuinely accessible online experience. What is Website Performance? Website...
If your organization wants to redesign its website, don’t forget to include DubBot in your tool kit. The accessibility testing capabilities can be incorporated from the start, including for secure development environments. Just...
Accessibility audits are a vital first step in creating digital experiences that are usable by everyone, regardless of ability. What is an Accessibility Audit? An accessibility audit is a comprehensive evaluation of your digital platforms and...
College is a time of growth, independence, and new experiences. However, for students with disabilities, navigating the accommodation process can be a journey marked by unique challenges and opportunities. According to the Postsecondary National...
As technology continues to integrate into the learning experience, it's imperative that all students, regardless of ability, have equal access to digital resources and information. Digital accessibility is a critical issue that higher education...
Why does math need to be accessible? Watch this video, and you will see and hear why. We rely heavily on numbers to communicate and share ideas every day. From cultural traditions to financial planning, medicine to law, numbers are everywhere...
Ignoring website accessibility can come with a hefty price tag, both financially and in terms of reputation. According to "The WebAIM Million," WebAIM's 2024 report on the accessibility of 1,000,000 homepages, "95.9% of home pages...
Toggle switches are the digital equivalent of a physical on / off switch. They're used everywhere, from online exams to mobile apps. One of the most recognized uses of toggle switches is your operation system or browser's preference page(s). For...
Yesterday, Tuesday, July 30, was the HighEdWeb Accessibility Summit. I attended a poster session titled "Designing, developing, and testing accessible web carousels," presented by Michael Bolton from Carnegie and Alayna Setterlind from Carnegie...
Focus indicators help users who rely on a keyboard or assistive technology to navigate a page. They help users know exactly where they are within a digital document or webpage and make navigating with a keyboard easier, just like a...
Do you ever wonder if the new software, app, or online help documentation you're considering is accessible to everyone? An Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) is a tool that promotes inclusivity by telling you how well a product meets...
PDFs can offer stability, portability, and a clean presentation for documents across many platforms. But let's face it: PDFs are not everyone's friend. A PDF can present significant challenges in accessing information for people relying on...
QR codes are powerful tools because they combine the simple design of QR codes with the prevalence of smartphones. Instead of typing out a potentially long and complicated URL, users can scan the code with their phone's camera. This saves time and...
What Are Landmarks? HTML landmarks are like major landmarks in a big city—the park, the library, the capital building—instantly recognizable areas or buildings that serve a specific purpose. Landmarks identify specific...
WCAG won't just be for websites anymore. WCAG 3 will address the accessibility of web content on desktops, laptops, tablets, mobile devices, wearable devices, and other Internet-of-things devices. WCAG 3 will apply to various types of web...
Imagine a potential client or student visiting your website, eager to learn more, but their experience is hindered by the low contrast between background and text or the fact that they can't navigate your site with a keyboard. A website experience...
HighEdWeb, the association for digital professionals in higher education, offers unique opportunities for you to expand your knowledge alongside a diverse group of higher-ed digital experts. DubBot, a supporter of HighEdWeb since 2018, is proud...
Fireworks may have just faded, and the barbecues are still smoldering, but the spirit of independence is far from over. While we celebrate the United States' independence on July 4th, let's not forget another vital day for equality just around the...
Jared Smith, Associate Director of WebAIM, has stated, "There is not a best typeface or font." Alas, it's a hard truth. However, some fonts have characteristics that make them more accessible than others, and there are pro tips you can follow to...
Creating accessible forms is not just a choice; it's a necessity. Many seemingly simple web forms can pose significant challenges for users with disabilities. This blog will guide you through some fundamental principles that will help you craft...
Have you ever clicked a button and felt like you've entered the digital abyss? No spinning wheel, no progress bar, just... silence. Frustrating, right? That frustration can be caused by a lack of or an inaccessible progress...
Inclusive and accessible design are both essential in creating usable digital experiences for a broader range of people. However, they differ in their approach. Accessible Design Accessible design addresses discriminatory aspects related to...
Note: The information and guidelines presented in this blog post are for non-interactive data visualizations. Who doesn't love a good pie chart or bar graph? I'll tell you who: someone who's color blind or uses a screen...
If your campus or organization runs on Google tools like Workspace and Chrome, you might already be familiar with the array of Google products designed to make everyone's work day (or fun day!) even better. In this blog, we'll examine some of...
Abbreviations and acronyms like "LOL" (laughing out loud or lots of love) and "ETA" (estimated time of arrival) are everywhere in communication, from texting to work emails. While they're handy for saving time and making things shorter, they can...
Strong foundations lead to exceptional user experiences. In website design and development, that foundation is your page structure. A well-defined page structure dictates how easily users navigate and engage with your content. What is Page...
Any image that conveys relevant, meaningful context should have ALT text. The details of the ALT text will depend on the context of the image and the content creator. And there are times when ALT text, to be truly effective, should include...
Thursday, May 16th, DubBot and our partner Lullabot co-hosted "Web Accessibility Q&A: Simplicity, Testing, and Remediation," which featured a fantastic panel of accessibility professionals from Iowa's Department for the Blind, Lullabot, ...
This summer, we're thrilled to sponsor two key events dedicated to advancing accessibility in education. Each is a valuable stop on your accessibility road trip. The first stop is the UnConference, which takes place on May 31 from 9...
Wow! What a great #GAAD webinar! Thursday, May 16th, DubBot and our partner Lullabot co-hosted "Web Accessibility Q&A: Simplicity, Testing, and Remediation," which featured a fantastic panel of accessibility professionals from...
Have you ever thought about how you navigate the world around you? For many, daily tasks like using a website or entering a building are seamless experiences. However, that is not the case for the estimated 1.3 billion people who experience...
An important aspect of an accessible website is providing different ways for users to find what they need. Site maps and site search are two helpful tools for achieving this. Sitemaps Although an HTML sitemap is not required to comply with WCAG...
On Thursday, April 24, 2024, "The Department of Justice ("Department") issued its final rule revising the regulation implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") to establish specific requirements, including the adoption of...
Third-party applications can offer everything from enhanced productivity tools to on-demand entertainment. But what happens when these add-ons create unintended consequences? While third-party applications can enhance functionality, they can...
In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Lullabot and DubBot are co-hosting a webinar to help you make your website more accessible to everyone. Join us May 16 at 1 p.m. EDT for "Web Accessibility Q&A: Simplicity, Testing, and...
This blog series, Development & Testing for Diverse Abilities, will explore the needs of users with auditory, cognitive, visual, and mobility impairments and equip you with the knowledge and tools to create digital experiences that are more...
This blog series, Development & Testing for Diverse Abilities , will explore the needs of users with auditory, cognitive, visual, and mobility impairments and equip you with the knowledge and tools to create digital experiences that are...
This blog series, Development & Testing for Diverse Abilities, will explore the needs of users with auditory, cognitive, visual, and mobility impairments and equip you with the knowledge and tools to create digital experiences that are...
This blog series, Development & Testing for Diverse Abilities , will explore the needs of users with auditory, cognitive, visual, and mobility impairments and equip you with the knowledge and tools to create digital experiences that are...
If you or your organization are looking to hire an accessibility professional, you’ll need to have a solid understanding of your organization's accessibility goals to choose a candidate with the appropriate expertise. This blog post...
Disclaimer: Legal Information and General Disclaimer This blog post contains general information only and is not intended as legal advice. It is based on our understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing and is subject to...
Guess who’s coming to town? That’s right! EvolveDrupal is heading to Atlanta! DubBot is proud to be a sponsor of this outstanding event hosted by our client and partner, Evolving Web. DubBot’s VP of Client...
In 2022, we introduced the Beginner's Guide for Manual and Automated Accessibility Testing, which was developed by our team of accessibility specialists. When the checklist was published, it covered every success criterion included in the WCAG...
A false positive in accessibility testing occurs when an accessibility test detects a barrier that is not actually present. False positives can occur for several reasons and under different circumstances. A purely decorative image is one of the...
Have you ever unintentionally clicked the wrong button or struggled to hit the right link on a website or mobile app? You’re not alone. Trying to tap those tiny buttons on my phone with my fat fingers – it's like playing that...
New with WCAG 2.2 is WCAG 3.2.6, Consistent Help (Level A). This criterion ensures that when providing users with a help mechanism on your website, it is located consistently in the same relative location unless the user initiates a...
You may not realize this, but about 10% of the people visiting your website could have dyslexia. Still, others may struggle with cognitive or learning disabilities that make reading words and sentences difficult. Turns out, the average reading...
Institution Overview Providence College is a private Catholic university in Providence, Rhode Island. Offering 47 undergraduate majors and 17 graduate programs, the current total student population is 4,756, which includes undergraduate,...
We believe embedding accessibility standards and testing into the development process is the most efficient approach to creating an accessible website. Many of DubBot's clients, agencies in particular, use automated and manual testing consistently...
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Learning Center! This resource is now available to clients by simply creating a username and password for individual users. If your organization already subscribes to DubBot, you can add...
In the spirit of curating end-of-year numbers, the DubBot engineers ran a query on all the accessibility issues encountered by our clients in 2023. Here's the top-ten list with a side of recommendations and best practices. #1 Links with the same...
One often overlooked yet crucial element in web accessibility is discernible text in links. In this blog post, we'll consider the significance of having discernible text in links, explore why it is essential for an inclusive online experience, and...
On November 16, I posted a blog titled Error Messages and Making Them Accessible. Today’s blog is about best practices to help you help your users actively avoid those errors. Similar to initiating accessibility testing at the outset...
Ensuring that all users can engage with online content regardless of their abilities is a top priority. One solution that has gained more recent traction is using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate alternative text, or ALT text, ...
DubBot brings you an exciting addition to your testing arsenal: the ability to configure the viewport used for testing and previewing your website for a more customized evaluation of your content within DubBot. Viewports play a significant role...
I was working through some broken link issues on a friend's website when it occurred to me. What do all these error messages mean? For example: HTTP_400: Bad Request - did I forget to say please? HTTP_403: Forbidden - now I really want to...
In a world where software companies try to be everything to everybody, we’ve taken a different approach at DubBot. Instead, we prioritize simplicity in our approach, recognizing that end users avoid overly complex...
If you are a veteran in crisis or you know a veteran who is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988, then Press 1. The signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, marked the official end...
By now, many of you have heard that WCAG Success Criteria (SC) 4.1.1, Parsing (Level A) has been removed from WCAG 2.2. Even though 4.1.1 is no longer a rule per WCAG 2.2, DubBot has not removed that rule from our test bank. We have left the...
For web accessibility experts, decorative images are a familiar and often debated topic. The question that often arises is whether ALT text should be applied to decorative images. To answer this, we first need to define what...
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) have long served as the gold standard for making the web inclusive. In the world of web accessibility, the recent release of WCAG 2.2 as a recommendation represents a significant milestone. While...
Memes have become a powerful medium for communication, humor, and expression. However, understanding the humor or message conveyed by a meme can be challenging for individuals with visual impairments. That's where ALT text and image descriptions...
So simple, yet so brilliant! George Mason University (GMU) leveraged the Trusted Tester Conformance Test Process Certification, TTV5, creating a cohort of accessibility specialists and advocates.Provided by The Department of Homeland Security, the...
Deep links are shortcuts that send users directly to precise locations within an application, bypassing the need to navigate through the application. These clever links streamline the user experience by making sharing information easier from one...
WCAG 2.2 is here! Today, October 5, 2023, WCAG 2.2 is officially live! We have been following the evolution of this update closely, and we are excited to see the final version of these guidelines, which include nine new Success...
Looking back on the history of dark mode, anyone can see it has come a long way from the old cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors that displayed green text on a black background. It has evolved over time, driven by both practical considerations and...
Dark mode, or dark theme or night mode, is a display setting for digital user interfaces. It means that, instead of the default dark text on a light background, the user sees light-colored text against a dark or black background. "The idea behind...
Recently, an article from HubSpot titled "Website Accessibility: 25 Statistics that Prove It Matters" was shared with me by a colleague. It's chock-full of solid, research-based facts and figures on why accessibility really does matter. The...
What is assistive technology? Assistive technology ensures that individuals with disabilities can interact with websites and digital content effectively. The types of assistive technology needed to interact with a website can vary depending on...
Ashley Thompson is a member of DubBot’s Support team, serving as our newest Support Engineer. The following post is the fifth and final post of a blog series documenting her experiences as she prepared for the CPACC exam. The fourth...
On the heels of the Justice Department sending a notice of proposed rulemaking "to improve web and mobile applications (apps) access for people with disabilities," the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has "published a proposed rule designed...
In a recent case, we assisted a client in realizing that despite encountering a "404 Not Found" error for a page on their site, their web server was incorrectly indicating a "200 OK status." This 200 OK status suggested the page was found at the...
Ashley Thompson is a member of DubBot’s Support team, serving as our newest Support Engineer. The following post is the third part of a blog series documenting her experiences as she prepares for the CPACC exam. The third blog entry...
Are you ready? The HighEdWeb Accessibility Summit is right around the corner. It’s happening on Tuesday, July 25, to be exact. Have you registered yet? No? What are you waiting for? Register Now! Here at DubBot, we are especially...
If you subscribe to the DubBot Quarterly Newsletter, you saw in the Product Updates section that "PDF checker version 2.0 is now live with more abilities to filter your PDFs by types of issues found." I thought you might find it helpful...
Awww, summer vacation! Who doesn’t anxiously await that time away to unwind, unplug and recharge? I recently returned home from my long-awaited summer vacation in Destin, Florida. Since I live in Virginia, I traveled by plane to...
The lighting of the "Flame of Hope" took place on June 18 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, in front of an audience of 50,000 individuals, consisting of 3,000 coaches, officials, and 18,000 volunteers. This significant event marked the...
People have written a lot about the pros and cons of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on people with disabilities. I do not pretend to be an expert, and I certainly can not cover the breadth of the subject adequately in just one blog...
Ashley Thompson is a member of DubBot’s Support team, serving as our newest Support Engineer. The following post is the third part of a blog series documenting her experiences as she prepares for the CPACC exam. The second blog entry...
DubBot is excited to announce the release of our Drupal module!! This release is a result of collaborative effort with our friends at Lullabot. Our Drupal module will empower DubBot subscribers to enhance their websites by integrating...
On May 19, the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) and the Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) released a "Dear Colleague" letter. This letter serves as a reminder to colleges, universities, and post-secondary institutions about the...
A few weeks ago, I was preparing for a webinar and reviewing a list of potential questions. One question, in particular, caught my attention: "Is it acceptable to release a product or website that is partially accessible?" As I began to formulate...
Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day by joining us on May 18, 2023, beginning at 1 p.m. EDT for "Web Accessibility Q&A: Overcoming Excuses and Misconceptions." Is your organization making excuses for why its website isn't accessible...
Suppose you identified an issue on your website that was causing your organization to lose money, tarnishing your organization’s reputation and could possibly land you in court, would you fix it? Of course you would. And then, would you...
