#introduction Italian, European, citizen of the world. Internet user since 1998 but started with PC in 1989. Formerly facebook, now stable on Mastodon - formerly "talksina" on MastodonUno italian instance; still "talksina" as handle into Linkedin, WordPress .org profile, google (till it lasts) and github, as it's impossible to edit profile name. I believe in data liberation and ownership. I work on accessibility (web and apps), I have a disability myself (totally blind). Blogger, WordPress user and MarkDown lover, interested in electronic voices and creating audio-dramas with text-to-speech. AI user, moderately optimistic. HIV awareness advocate. Firmly against tech-based "age verification" on sexuality related sites. Education should do the job, allowing governments to control Internet is introduction to censorship. #accessibility #WordPress #blind #disability #hiv #advocacy
accessibility
I pushed an update to #DOStodon (the #Mastodon client for MS-DOS):
- Fixed a bug when viewing threads in notification screen.
- Implemented setting for CW toots (default collapsed or visible)
- Fixed dates
- Fixed image viewing
- Added help to toot editor
- Changed some colors
- Updated #curl to 8.9.1
- Added ALT text for image uploads
Grab it at https://github.com/SuperIlu/DOStodon
#Javascript #RetroComputing #MSDOS #CreativeCoding #MastodonClient #FreeDOS #DJGPP #DOjS #accessibility #ImageDescription
I do like how the missing alt text icon is now more prominent, but I do wonder if this is enough to get people to add descriptions to their images.
I actually opened an issue addressing this last year.
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/issues/27731
#mastodon #MastodonBeta #accessibility #AltText #UXUI #design
I don't really think much about those reading time indicators, I certainly don't use them on my own websites, but @baldur makes some good points.
"To be meaningful, a reading time estimation algorithm needs to take a number of these variables into account. The bare minimum would combine text complexity [...] and vocabulary, with length and the median level of schooling of the assumed audience to get a rough estimate."
Text detection from images is available right inside the attachment preview window of Mastodon clients. This makes adding meaningful #altText a breeze. Here's hoping that these kinds of thoughtful features push #accessibility support within the Fediverse even further.
Well done, @MonaApp!
Except please type #FediFC rather than #fedifc - it makes life easier for screen reader users and dyslexic people amongst others. #Accessibility https://mstdn.ca/@thatdosbox/113136253210292773
The next blog post for #TheFutureIsFederated will focus on #accessibility.
With everything I have been learning about #AltText, #CamelCase and screen readers, I am deeply embarrassed and sorry about my previous Mastodon display name.
All the emojis (pencil, sparkle, camera) and TWO asterism symbols (before/after my name) could have caused problems for people who use screen readers.
I'm so so sorry, I didn't know. I removed everything and I'm only keeping one asterism symbol after my name
Presenting the Alt Text Health Check image accessibility report #3.
https://stefanbohacek.com/blog/alt-text-health-check-image-accessibility-report-3/
#AltText #AltTextHealthCheck #accessibility #ImageDescription #fediverse
Good day all! Fireside Fedi TODAY! Yes we're still on, internet was fixed, thank you Brightspeed techs!
Livestream: https://stream.firesidefedi.live
Special Guest: @elettrona
#ally #accessibility #blind #wordporess #designer #hivawareness
Date & Time: 2025-12-02 1500 UTC-5
After the show:
#Peertube #VOD - https://video.firesidefedi.live
#Castopod #Fedicast - https://audio.firesidefedi.live
#Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@btfree_org
Oh nice, Mastodon is getting an alt text reminder.
🚀 The Future is Federated - issue no.12 👩🚀
"Beyond technical features: why we need to talk about the values of the Fediverse (part 2)"
mentioning: @alttexthalloffame @Gargron @FediTips @ivory @IceCubesApp @Tusky @Simx72 @phanpy @jon @mathi_gwithyas @rysiek
#TheFutureIsFederated #tech #Fediverse #BigTech #SocialMedia #FOSS #blog #accessibility #AltText #CW #ContentWarnings #Phanpy #Ivory #Tusky #Mastodon #IceCubes
The text mode lie: why modern TUIs are a nightmare for accessibility — The Inclusive Lens https://xogium.me/the-text-mode-lie-why-modern-tuis-are-a-nightmare-for-accessibility #Accessibility #CLI #TUI
Very pleased and a little nervous to announce that I got to write a bumper post for @csstricks!
Freelance person that wants me to tell them their accessibility overlay did a good job.
Hey, can you look at random Website dot com and tell me if Y accessibility overlay is good?
Me. Without looking at the website because I *know* it will be shit. Sure I can bill for writing up a 20 page report on why this overlay fucked up your website. This will be fun.
Them. Great! Let's hop on Zoom with our marketing team. Nobody in the actual web development, only marketing and manager dipshits and then you can painstakingly go through the website, even the text heavy pages, and tell us our accessibility overlay is shit while we act profoundly baffled by this news for almost 2 hours. Won't that be a fun workday?
Me. Oh fuck, I'm so sorry my dudes, but I am very busy until 2027.
Them. Why?
me. Cancellations like the one I'm gonna do to you in 2 seconds. Take care now, bye bye then.
For Americans who are more outraged by the language used than the lack of accessibility:
I am a cat. I am permanently outraged.
Here is me outraged that people still think it's OK to tell disabled people to be gentler with the abled humans because we might upset them, the poor things. #Cats #CatsOfMastodon #Accessibility #Disability
I created my first Django Trac ticket. Milestone?
It has not gone through triage yet, but at least it describes an accessibility issue that uses only dashes as an option value.
"Allow customization of the blank option in select dropdowns."
https://code.djangoproject.com/ticket/35870
(See my blog post for yesterday for more notes about dashes and hyphens)
Giving a damn about Accessibility - 'A candid and practical handbook for designers' [pdf 49pp - audio version available] #accessibility #UX https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6071fa745947937fc933ecbb/t/60a02725893d22758a6207c5/1621108519636/Giving-a-damn-about-accessibility.pdf
Inclusive Android Apps #1: The Problem of Rows Breaking with Large Text • Buttondown https://buttondown.com/inclusive-android-apps/archive/inclusive-android-apps-1-the-problem-of-rows-breaking-with-large-text/ #Android #Accessibility
They say they are open source but I can't find their code anywhere. In the meantime, accsiSuite is a computer program to deal with all types of documents in an accessible way. https://accsify.com/en/software/acs/ #Accessibility
We are running an Inclusive Web Devroom at FOSDEM 2025!
If you want to speak about anything related to privacy, accessibility, localization, and inclusivity in web, please submit a talk. Check https://github.com/Inclusive-Web-Devroom/fosdem-2025/blob/main/CFP.md for more details regarding CFP
Able News Interviews NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani
"Able News at The Viscardi Center staff reporter Christopher Alvarez interviewed New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, on December 10, 2025, at his Manhattan office. During this exclusive interview, they discussed how he and his administration will address critical issues for disabled New Yorkers, including housing, transportation and employment."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMa_4y8mMy8 #NYC #Disability #Accessibility
i want to hear from people who use screen readers: what makes alt text useful to you? what doesn't help?
Anyone have suggestions on where to try to promote the Games for Blind gamers gam jam? We got 110 sign ups last year, and hoping to get more sign ups this year!
Pinned note for people who ask:
I'm a blind, autistic, chronically ill usability tester with a focus on accessibility and real-world screen reader use (primarily NVDA on Windows, web apps, and complex workflows).
I'm open to occasional paid usability or accessibility studies, including games, as long as the team is open to feedback from someone with multiple disabilities. My availability is limited, and I prioritize work that values lived-experience input rather than simulated testing. I don't do formal audits.
If you think something might be a good fit, you're welcome to DM me with details. If it's not a match, no hard feelings.
#Accessibility #A11y #UsabilityTesting #ScreenReaders #BlindTech
#Pachli 2.9.0 is now available, with new features to support users facing #harrassment or abuse in notifications, #accessibility improvements, and more.
See https://pachli.app/pachli/2024/11/28/2.9.0-release.html for details.
Thanks to @gvs, @gefla, @kallekn, Aindriú Mac Giolla Eoin, sunniva, Juan M Sevilla, @st3fan, and @xan for their contributions to this release, and apologies to anyone I've missed.