Accessibility Knowledge is still needed - Issue 11-25

Thanks to GenAI, we no longer need digital accessibility experts. Hardly anyone says so, but many think so. Probably the same people who believe in magic pills, a.k.a. accessibility overlays, for accessibility.

The problem: Digital accessibility remains a niche topic. GenAI falls short in this area because there are very few relevant and high-quality resources available—in other words, too little training material. This leads to answers of rather poor quality. An accessibility expert recognizes this quite quickly. A layperson would have to do further research, but usually doesn't. Therefore, accessibility consultants don't need to worry about their jobs for the time being.

Interesting articles

Oliver Haake-Klink explains how the Accessibility Cloud combines automatic and manual digital accessibility checks. Interview with Oliver Haake-Klink about Accessibility Cloud

This article explores how AI-powered interfaces can support people with limited technical proficiency without creating new barriers.

Artificial Intelligence: Accessibility for the Technically Inept

The beta version of the free PDF Accessibility Checker PAC 2026 offers an AI-based check. PAC 2026 beta with AI-supported tests is here!

A study calls for the active involvement of deaf people in the development and procurement of AI systems with sign language capabilities to avoid misunderstandings and discrimination. BSL is Not for Sale: A Deaf-led approach to AI procurement (PDF)

GenAI is rapidly changing how people interact with websites. This article explores how this impacts digital accessibility. Accessibility in a Zero-Click Web: Preparing for an AI-Mediated Future

This article demonstrates how accessible research makes science more diverse and innovative—benefiting all researchers. Make research accessible – it benefits all chemists

Microsoft Word can now correctly detect floating images with screen readers. This corrects a common problem that occurs when exporting accessible PDFs from Word. Floating images now accessible for screen readers in Word

A comprehensive online book on digital accessibility with practical explanations, checklists, and case studies. It can be read online for free or purchased in print. The Book on Accessibility

A study shows that neurodivergent employees benefit significantly more and are more satisfied with AI assistants like Microsoft 365 Copilot than their neurotypical colleagues. Study finds neurodiverse workers more satisfied with AI assistants

An update to the toolkit that automatically supports image descriptions (alt text), thus improving media accessibility. Image Description Toolkit 3.0 available

This article explains how AI agents and accessibility can reinforce each other: Accessible structures help AI agents—and ultimately all users. AI agents and web accessibility – a symbiotic relationship

A scientific preprint paper that addresses accessibility issues in conjunction with AI or agents in the web context. arXiv 2507.19549v1

This paper shows how inclusive design transforms raw data into stories that everyone can understand—and what costs arise from inaccessible dashboards. Got Data, Now What? Storytelling Through Accessible Design

An interactive project that demonstrates how AI systems can exclude people—and how to identify and prevent these exclusions early in the design process. ITL AI Recognize Exclusion

An article outlining four key principles: keep the outcomes in mind, involve people with disabilities early on, treat accessibility as a core requirement, and be mindful of bias in training data. Tips for Designing Accessible AI

This text explains why accessibility must be integrated into technology projects from the outset and not treated as a late "add-on." The Need for Accessibility Excellence

A toolkit/platform project focused on web overlays and accessibility—providing tools and examples for alternative access methods. Overlays.dnikub.dev

A blog post about how single-page applications (SPAs) often cause usability and accessibility problems—and how moving back to classic pages offers advantages. Why Moving Away from SPAs Improves Usability, Accessibility and SEO

Good News of the Month

The declaration "From Margins to Mainstream: Integrating Accessibility and Universal Design Across Higher Education Curricula" was signed in Nicosia on September 9, 2025. It calls for the full integration of accessibility, universal design, and assistive technology into higher education. AccessibleEU – One Signatories Nicosia Declaration

Luxembourg will launch a project (“Bewosst”) in the hospitality sector in October 2025 to strengthen inclusion and accessibility in hotels and tourist facilities. AccessibleEU – Luxembourg works to bring inclusion to its hospitality industry

In Slovenia, courts are introducing automatic transcription and live subtitling to make the justice system more accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. ``` AccessibleEU – Slovenian courts introduce automatic transcription and live captioning

The app Be My Eyes and the British retailer Tesco are launching a pilot collaboration: Blind and visually impaired customers will receive direct visual support via the app while shopping in the store – e.g., when selecting products, checking promotions, or using self-checkout. Be My Eyes and Tesco team up

German: An inclusive mural has been created in Mannheim, incorporating tactile and sensory elements so that blind and visually impaired people can experience art. First inclusive mural “The Blind Germany” in Mannheim

An innovative pregnancy test allows blind and visually impaired women to independently receive results through tactile and auditory signals. Pregnancy Test for Blind Women

More posts

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Here you can subscribe to the free monthly newsletter on digital accessibility.

Older Issues