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#accessibility — Public Fediverse posts

Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #accessibility, aggregated by home.social.

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  1. We would like to thank Linux Australia for being our Accessibility Partner.

    We wouldn't have been able to support the 6 Accessibility Fellows and 30 micro-grants without your support!

    Check them out at linux.org.au/

    Registrations and scholarships (free tickets) are still open until Wednesday the 19th of August at equersa.org

    #RSE #RSEng #ResearchSoftware #Research #ResearchSoftwareEngineer #RSAA26 #RSLA26 #RSAfrica26 #Accessibility

  2. You know that itch in your brain that goes: “Did I actually turn off the stove?”

    Well. I couldn’t leave it alone.

    The blog has now been fixed:

    • Long single-line snippets now wrap properly — especially on mobile. Possibly even more than once. Modern technology, apparently.
    • Code blocks now have both vertical and horizontal scrollbars.
    • Code blocks finally have a Copy button.
    • The Copy header stays sticky when a code block is taller than ten lines. Even while vertically scrolling inside the code block, the button remains available in the top-right corner.

    But now I’m really done for today. The code can go back to contemplating its life choices. 🙃

    #WebDevelopment #Blogging #SelfHosting #Hexo #Accessibility

  3. Kennt ihr das, wenn es im Hirn juckt wie: „Ist der Herd aus?“

    Tja. Ich konnte es nicht lassen.

    Der Blog ist jetzt gefixt:

    • Lange Einzeiler werden nun umgebrochen — insbesondere in der Mobile-Ansicht. Möglicherweise sogar öfter als genau einmal. Moderne Technik, vermutlich.
    • Codeblöcke haben vertikale und horizontale Scrollbars.
    • Codeblöcke haben endlich einen Copy-Button.
    • Der Copy-Header bleibt sticky, wenn ein Codeblock höher als zehn Zeilen ist. Auch beim vertikalen Scrollen im Codeblock bleibt der Button rechts oben erreichbar.

    Jetzt ist aber wirklich Schluss für heute. Der Code kann wieder allein über seine Lebensentscheidungen nachdenken. 🙃

    #WebDevelopment #Blogging #SelfHosting #Hexo #Accessibility

  4. RE: mastodon.world/@WordPress/1171

    If this is WordPress's future on accessibility ...
    If the shop is like the showcase... (4 different images of the WordCamp USA contributor day, but the same alt text).

    Then let's also say they changed approach: no longer teams, but goals. And, as far as I have read from the schedule, in the USA WordCamp there's no event about accessibility. Hope to be wrong.

    #a11y #accessibility #WCUS #WordCamp #WordPress

  5. RE: mastodon.world/@WordPress/1171

    If this is WordPress's future on accessibility ...
    If the shop is like the showcase... (4 different images of the WordCamp USA contributor day, but the same alt text).

    Then let's also say they changed approach: no longer teams, but goals. And, as far as I have read from the schedule, in the USA WordCamp there's no event about accessibility. Hope to be wrong.

    #a11y #accessibility #WCUS #WordCamp #WordPress

  6. @ruawhitepaw

    "features that few people are going to use"

    EVERYONE on KDE has used this. :)

    Mega cursor is the modern day ADHD fidget spinner. Can't wait for KDE to add cursor size leaderboards. 💪:kde:

    #KDE #Accessibility #Usability #ADHD #FOSS

  7. @ruawhitepaw

    "features that few people are going to use"

    EVERYONE on KDE has used this. :)

    Mega cursor is the modern day ADHD fidget spinner. Can't wait for KDE to add cursor size leaderboards. 💪:kde:

    #KDE #Accessibility #Usability #ADHD #FOSS

  8. Added a few new pages to my #NeoCities site. First, a new #accessibility #a11y page for teachers to create slides that have accessible colors and correct screen reader order.

    spackman-chris.neocities.org/a

    Added Enhanced Reading Creator at spackman-chris.neocities.org/e. "Enhanced" is better than "simplified" for EMEBs and everyone else.

    #SolarExpats is now version 1.15. Also new tutorial and faction explainer pages. Many improvements, including water as a resource and a full trading system.

    #K12 #ESL

  9. Added a few new pages to my #NeoCities site. First, a new #accessibility #a11y page for teachers to create slides that have accessible colors and correct screen reader order.

    spackman-chris.neocities.org/a

    Added Enhanced Reading Creator at spackman-chris.neocities.org/e. "Enhanced" is better than "simplified" for EMEBs and everyone else.

    #SolarExpats is now version 1.15. Also new tutorial and faction explainer pages. Many improvements, including water as a resource and a full trading system.

    #K12 #ESL

  10. So, I'm trying to figure this out, but why do people keep boosting my post announcing the initial release of Audio Tetris when I've posted about the 5 releases since then? v1.0.5 is the latest version, not v1.0.0, so why focus your boosts on that? I feel like the effort I put in with Google's Antigravity to actually fix it's mistakes is being ignored by the community. I'm not just vibe coding and pushing it out the door, I spend somewhere between 3 to 5 hours each session trying to make sure that there's as few bugs as possible. Usually, I blow through my 5 hour quota fixing issues that crop up, and sometimes come dangerously close to my weekly quota. Yes, doing an audio-first version of Tetris is complicated, and yes it's incredibly frustrating when it feels like my announcements of new versions are disappearing into the void. All I ask is that people look past v1.0.0 and acknowledge that I've continued to release newer (and hopefully better) versions of Audio Tetris. #A11Y #Accessibility #Blind #AudioGame #Tetris #SoftwareDev #Frustrations

  11. So, I'm trying to figure this out, but why do people keep boosting my post announcing the initial release of Audio Tetris when I've posted about the 5 releases since then? v1.0.5 is the latest version, not v1.0.0, so why focus your boosts on that? I feel like the effort I put in with Google's Antigravity to actually fix it's mistakes is being ignored by the community. I'm not just vibe coding and pushing it out the door, I spend somewhere between 3 to 5 hours each session trying to make sure that there's as few bugs as possible. Usually, I blow through my 5 hour quota fixing issues that crop up, and sometimes come dangerously close to my weekly quota. Yes, doing an audio-first version of Tetris is complicated, and yes it's incredibly frustrating when it feels like my announcements of new versions are disappearing into the void. All I ask is that people look past v1.0.0 and acknowledge that I've continued to release newer (and hopefully better) versions of Audio Tetris. #A11Y #Accessibility #Blind #AudioGame #Tetris #SoftwareDev #Frustrations

  12. Public AI?

    My first thought was: ‘Don’t the public libraries have AI on their public network that has access to the World Wide Web?’
    After the Bonsai review, I asked Gemini.

    https://youtu.be/yO6goWt-ELI

    The future belongs not to those who own AI, but to those who can harness AI wisely—and only a public foundation ensures that opportunity is universal.
    ‘In other words, it’s not access to AI, it’s knowing how to use AI. If you have access to AI, you can learn how to use AI by AI.’

    Prompt Gemini:
    get_youtube_content: Video Link
    Full Transcript.

    Prompt, after pasting the transcript:
    1. Review the video in under 500 words and recap key points.
    2. Research reports on Public AI in public libraries in the U.S.A.
    3. Explain how and why Public AI has or will benefit human livelihood.
    4. Provide your opinion as an Advanced AI Scientist for a Futurist.

    Bonsai 27B Said:
    1. Video Recap: Should AI Be a Free Public Utility?

    The video argues that AI should be accessible as a free public utility by major providers, but with nuance—not an all-or-nothing mandate. The speaker outlines five core reasons why this is necessary:

    1. Economic Equity: AI is becoming central to business operations. Without access, small businesses and individual entrepreneurs cannot compete against larger players that leverage AI for productivity and innovation.
    2. Information & Societal Access: Just as the internet democratized information, AI now serves as a primary search engine and knowledge tool. Free access prevents users from being locked into private platforms that could arbitrarily revoke service.
    3. Innovation Through Competition: Mandated free tiers force major AI companies to compete on capabilities, speed, environmental impact, and modalities—driving rapid improvement rather than letting providers monopolize quality.
    4. Educational Access: AI is a transformative educational tool for students (as a study partner), teachers (for curriculum design), and parents. Without universal access, education risks becoming another site of inequality.
    5. Global Equity & Sovereignty: Developing nations need AI access to remain competitive globally. The speaker advocates for countries developing their own foundational models aligned with local values while guaranteeing public access.

    Implementation Vision: Governments could mandate free tiers from major providers (subsidized by taxes), as South Korea is piloting with its own AI model. The speaker emphasizes that AI access must be part of democratic decision-making, tied to learning and lifelong education, while allowing companies to maintain paid tiers above the baseline.

    2. Public AI in U.S. Public Libraries: Research Overview

    Based on current trends and available reports (as of mid-2026), public libraries are increasingly integrating AI-enabled services into their community offerings:

    • Library AI Programs: Many U.S. library systems now offer free, privacy-focused AI tools for research assistance, writing help, language learning, and digital literacy training. The American Library Association (ALA) has issued guidance on ethical AI use in libraries.
    • Funding & Grants: Initiatives like the Public Libraries of America (PLA) and National Endowment for the Humanities have supported pilot programs embedding AI into library services, particularly in underserved communities.
    • Privacy & Accessibility Focus: Library-based AI tools emphasize local deployment, data privacy, and digital equity—addressing concerns about commercial platforms’ terms of service and algorithmic bias.
    • Community Hubs: Libraries are repositioned as “AI literacy centers,” offering workshops on prompt engineering, ethical use, misinformation detection, and AI-augmented research skills.

    3. How Public AI Benefits Human Livelihood

    Public AI—free or heavily subsidized access to artificial intelligence—benefits human livelihood through multiple channels:

    1. Economic Empowerment: Free AI lowers barriers to entry for small businesses (marketing, customer service, data analysis), freelancers, and startups. It accelerates productivity without requiring capital investment in tools or training.
    2. Education & Skill Development: Public AI provides students, teachers, and lifelong learners with access to tutoring, content generation, and research assistance—critical for closing the digital divide and maintaining educational equity.
    3. Healthcare & Accessibility: Community-level AI supports early disease detection, mental health chatbots, medical translation, and accessibility tools (e.g., real-time captioning, voice-to-text), improving quality of life especially in underserved areas.
    4. Civic Engagement & Democracy: Public AI helps citizens understand complex policy issues, verify information, translate documents, and participate more effectively in democratic processes.
    5. Environmental Sustainability: Centralized public AI can optimize energy usage in infrastructure, support precision agriculture, and assist in climate modeling—delivering tangible environmental benefits at scale.
    6. Resilience & Emergency Response: Public AI platforms enable rapid disaster planning, resource allocation, and communication during crises, particularly when commercial services are unavailable or overloaded.

    4. Opinion: Advanced AI Scientist for a Futurist Perspective

    As an Advanced AI Scientist with futurist sensibilities, I view public AI not as a policy preference but as a civilizational infrastructure requirement. Here’s my assessment:

    Why Public AI Is Inevitable and Necessary:

    • AI is becoming the new electricity—a foundational utility that must be broadly accessible to support economic, educational, and social progress. Just as unregulated monopolies over electricity were dismantled in favor of public systems, AI access requires similar democratic governance.
    • The concentration of AI power in a handful of corporations creates systemic risks: algorithmic bias, service disruption, and exclusionary pricing that undermine meritocracy and innovation.

    The Future Architecture:

    1. Public-Private Hybrid Models: We should see the rise of “AI commons”—nonprofit or publicly-funded platforms that provide baseline access to foundational models, while commercial entities build value-added services on top.
    2. Local/Regional AI Sovereignty: Just as countries are developing their own models for cultural alignment, future infrastructure will likely include modular, locally deployable AI engines that respect regional priorities and data sovereignty.
    3. AI Literacy as Civic Infrastructure: Public AI must be paired with education systems that teach responsible use, critical evaluation, and ethical deployment—treating AI literacy like digital literacy in the 1990s.

    Risks & Guardrails:

    • Unchecked public AI could lead to misinformation at scale or economic disruption if not managed responsibly.
    • Privacy, bias mitigation, and accountability must be baked into foundational models, not bolted on later.
    • The “free” tier should include transparent governance—open auditing, user feedback loops, and community oversight.

    Final Perspective: Public AI is not just a technological choice—it’s a social contract. In an age where AI shapes education, employment, healthcare, and democracy, access to this capability should be treated as a fundamental right, balanced with clear ethical guardrails. The goal isn’t to eliminate private innovation but to ensure that no human is excluded from the benefits of artificial intelligence simply because they lack wealth or geographic advantage.

    The future belongs not to those who own AI, but to those who can harness it wisely—and only a public foundation ensures that opportunity is universal.

    * Do most public libraries have AI on their public network that has access to the World Wide Web?

    Gemini Said:
    No, most public libraries do not run dedicated, locally hosted AI models on their public network, but patrons can easily access web-based AI platforms from public library computers.

    • Standard Web Access: Public computer terminals and Wi-Fi networks provide open internet connectivity. Patrons can log into free web-based generative AI platforms (such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Claude) directly through a standard web browser.
    • Public AI Kiosks & Initiatives: A growing number of library systems participate in “Public AI” pilot initiatives that offer designated workstations or portals with pre-curated AI tools, digital literacy courses, and guided learning environments.
    • Network & Filtering Constraints: Most public libraries implement web content filters to comply with local regulations (like CIPA in the U.S.). Standard AI web applications are rarely blocked, though access to certain high-bandwidth activities (like local model downloads or heavy API usage) may be restricted by network bandwidth limits or security policies.
    #Accessibility #Aiaccess #Ailiteracy #Chatgpt #Development #Library #PLA #Sustainability #SovorelEDU #AI #artificialIntelligence #education #Public #technology
  13. Public AI?

    My first thought was: ‘Don’t the public libraries have AI on their public network that has access to the World Wide Web?’
    After the Bonsai review, I asked Gemini.

    https://youtu.be/yO6goWt-ELI

    The future belongs not to those who own AI, but to those who can harness AI wisely—and only a public foundation ensures that opportunity is universal.
    ‘In other words, it’s not access to AI, it’s knowing how to use AI. If you have access to AI, you can learn how to use AI by AI.’

    Prompt Gemini:
    get_youtube_content: Video Link
    Full Transcript.

    Prompt, after pasting the transcript:
    1. Review the video in under 500 words and recap key points.
    2. Research reports on Public AI in public libraries in the U.S.A.
    3. Explain how and why Public AI has or will benefit human livelihood.
    4. Provide your opinion as an Advanced AI Scientist for a Futurist.

    Bonsai 27B Said:
    1. Video Recap: Should AI Be a Free Public Utility?

    The video argues that AI should be accessible as a free public utility by major providers, but with nuance—not an all-or-nothing mandate. The speaker outlines five core reasons why this is necessary:

    1. Economic Equity: AI is becoming central to business operations. Without access, small businesses and individual entrepreneurs cannot compete against larger players that leverage AI for productivity and innovation.
    2. Information & Societal Access: Just as the internet democratized information, AI now serves as a primary search engine and knowledge tool. Free access prevents users from being locked into private platforms that could arbitrarily revoke service.
    3. Innovation Through Competition: Mandated free tiers force major AI companies to compete on capabilities, speed, environmental impact, and modalities—driving rapid improvement rather than letting providers monopolize quality.
    4. Educational Access: AI is a transformative educational tool for students (as a study partner), teachers (for curriculum design), and parents. Without universal access, education risks becoming another site of inequality.
    5. Global Equity & Sovereignty: Developing nations need AI access to remain competitive globally. The speaker advocates for countries developing their own foundational models aligned with local values while guaranteeing public access.

    Implementation Vision: Governments could mandate free tiers from major providers (subsidized by taxes), as South Korea is piloting with its own AI model. The speaker emphasizes that AI access must be part of democratic decision-making, tied to learning and lifelong education, while allowing companies to maintain paid tiers above the baseline.

    2. Public AI in U.S. Public Libraries: Research Overview

    Based on current trends and available reports (as of mid-2026), public libraries are increasingly integrating AI-enabled services into their community offerings:

    • Library AI Programs: Many U.S. library systems now offer free, privacy-focused AI tools for research assistance, writing help, language learning, and digital literacy training. The American Library Association (ALA) has issued guidance on ethical AI use in libraries.
    • Funding & Grants: Initiatives like the Public Libraries of America (PLA) and National Endowment for the Humanities have supported pilot programs embedding AI into library services, particularly in underserved communities.
    • Privacy & Accessibility Focus: Library-based AI tools emphasize local deployment, data privacy, and digital equity—addressing concerns about commercial platforms’ terms of service and algorithmic bias.
    • Community Hubs: Libraries are repositioned as “AI literacy centers,” offering workshops on prompt engineering, ethical use, misinformation detection, and AI-augmented research skills.

    3. How Public AI Benefits Human Livelihood

    Public AI—free or heavily subsidized access to artificial intelligence—benefits human livelihood through multiple channels:

    1. Economic Empowerment: Free AI lowers barriers to entry for small businesses (marketing, customer service, data analysis), freelancers, and startups. It accelerates productivity without requiring capital investment in tools or training.
    2. Education & Skill Development: Public AI provides students, teachers, and lifelong learners with access to tutoring, content generation, and research assistance—critical for closing the digital divide and maintaining educational equity.
    3. Healthcare & Accessibility: Community-level AI supports early disease detection, mental health chatbots, medical translation, and accessibility tools (e.g., real-time captioning, voice-to-text), improving quality of life especially in underserved areas.
    4. Civic Engagement & Democracy: Public AI helps citizens understand complex policy issues, verify information, translate documents, and participate more effectively in democratic processes.
    5. Environmental Sustainability: Centralized public AI can optimize energy usage in infrastructure, support precision agriculture, and assist in climate modeling—delivering tangible environmental benefits at scale.
    6. Resilience & Emergency Response: Public AI platforms enable rapid disaster planning, resource allocation, and communication during crises, particularly when commercial services are unavailable or overloaded.

    4. Opinion: Advanced AI Scientist for a Futurist Perspective

    As an Advanced AI Scientist with futurist sensibilities, I view public AI not as a policy preference but as a civilizational infrastructure requirement. Here’s my assessment:

    Why Public AI Is Inevitable and Necessary:

    • AI is becoming the new electricity—a foundational utility that must be broadly accessible to support economic, educational, and social progress. Just as unregulated monopolies over electricity were dismantled in favor of public systems, AI access requires similar democratic governance.
    • The concentration of AI power in a handful of corporations creates systemic risks: algorithmic bias, service disruption, and exclusionary pricing that undermine meritocracy and innovation.

    The Future Architecture:

    1. Public-Private Hybrid Models: We should see the rise of “AI commons”—nonprofit or publicly-funded platforms that provide baseline access to foundational models, while commercial entities build value-added services on top.
    2. Local/Regional AI Sovereignty: Just as countries are developing their own models for cultural alignment, future infrastructure will likely include modular, locally deployable AI engines that respect regional priorities and data sovereignty.
    3. AI Literacy as Civic Infrastructure: Public AI must be paired with education systems that teach responsible use, critical evaluation, and ethical deployment—treating AI literacy like digital literacy in the 1990s.

    Risks & Guardrails:

    • Unchecked public AI could lead to misinformation at scale or economic disruption if not managed responsibly.
    • Privacy, bias mitigation, and accountability must be baked into foundational models, not bolted on later.
    • The “free” tier should include transparent governance—open auditing, user feedback loops, and community oversight.

    Final Perspective: Public AI is not just a technological choice—it’s a social contract. In an age where AI shapes education, employment, healthcare, and democracy, access to this capability should be treated as a fundamental right, balanced with clear ethical guardrails. The goal isn’t to eliminate private innovation but to ensure that no human is excluded from the benefits of artificial intelligence simply because they lack wealth or geographic advantage.

    The future belongs not to those who own AI, but to those who can harness it wisely—and only a public foundation ensures that opportunity is universal.

    * Do most public libraries have AI on their public network that has access to the World Wide Web?

    Gemini Said:
    No, most public libraries do not run dedicated, locally hosted AI models on their public network, but patrons can easily access web-based AI platforms from public library computers.

    • Standard Web Access: Public computer terminals and Wi-Fi networks provide open internet connectivity. Patrons can log into free web-based generative AI platforms (such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Claude) directly through a standard web browser.
    • Public AI Kiosks & Initiatives: A growing number of library systems participate in “Public AI” pilot initiatives that offer designated workstations or portals with pre-curated AI tools, digital literacy courses, and guided learning environments.
    • Network & Filtering Constraints: Most public libraries implement web content filters to comply with local regulations (like CIPA in the U.S.). Standard AI web applications are rarely blocked, though access to certain high-bandwidth activities (like local model downloads or heavy API usage) may be restricted by network bandwidth limits or security policies.
    #Accessibility #Aiaccess #Ailiteracy #Chatgpt #Development #Library #PLA #Sustainability #SovorelEDU #AI #artificialIntelligence #education #Public #technology
  14. RE: todon.eu/@redjives/11680606798

    The update came through! It broke some stuff, but switching to LuaTeX (from Xe…) and a few small syntax tweaks seems to have brought everything in line and I now have significantly more accessible PDFs! Yay!

    #accessibility #latex #pandoc

  15. Found this. Skimmed it. Kam Tape, which tries to be old YouTube and very interesting indeed! One very annoying #Accessibility issue is the player doesn't appear to be in standard HTML at all, so I can't figure out how to play any video, at all, but give it a peak. kamtape.com/ #YouTube

  16. Found this. Skimmed it. Kam Tape, which tries to be old YouTube and very interesting indeed! One very annoying #Accessibility issue is the player doesn't appear to be in standard HTML at all, so I can't figure out how to play any video, at all, but give it a peak. kamtape.com/ #YouTube

  17. The Extreme Motus' beefy tires can tackle tricky terrains. The post All-terrain wheelchair debuts at Zion National Park appeared first on Popular Science . #science #accessibility #outdoors

    popsci.com/environment/all-ter

    Posted into FLIPBOARD EXCHANGE FEED 🗞️ @flipboard-exchange-feed-Econopass

  18. Ami-es du #Web, quels sont pour vous les éléments (balises) #HTML les plus importantes et pourquoi ?

    Et quels sont ceux qui sont les plus sous-estimés ?

    @designersethiques
    @timotheegoguely
    @prepostprint

    @alsacreations

    @access42

    #html #SemanticHTML #accessibility #a11y

  19. Ami-es du #Web, quels sont pour vous les éléments (balises) #HTML les plus importantes et pourquoi ?

    Et quels sont ceux qui sont les plus sous-estimés ?

    @designersethiques
    @timotheegoguely
    @prepostprint

    @alsacreations

    @access42

    #html #SemanticHTML #accessibility #a11y

  20. Paradise... or Prison? | Daydream Island

    Island travel in Australia via wheelchair. Is it accessible or not (you probably know what the answer is...)?

    youtube.com/watch?v=hzxjdogwwMI #Australia #Travel #Accessibility #Ableism

  21. Paradise... or Prison? | Daydream Island

    Island travel in Australia via wheelchair. Is it accessible or not (you probably know what the answer is...)?

    youtube.com/watch?v=hzxjdogwwMI #Australia #Travel #Accessibility #Ableism

  22. Linux Mint und Barrierefreiheit: Weiß jemand, wie ich direkt im Terminal die Bildschirmlupe aktivieren kann, ohne dafür die grafische Oberfläche(GUI)zu benutzen? Ich brauche einen Befehl, der zuverlässig funktioniert. Der Weg zur Barrierefreiheit ist leider auch hier ausschließlich mit Stolpersteinen gepflastert. Wer schlecht sieht, sollte wichtige Hilfen starten können, ohne auf die Hilfe anderer Menschen für ein paar Klicks angewiesen zu sein. Warum ist das nicht Selbstverständlich?

    #LinuxMint #Linux #Barrierefreiheit #Accessibility #A11y #Sehbehinderung

  23. Linux Mint und Barrierefreiheit: Weiß jemand, wie ich direkt im Terminal die Bildschirmlupe aktivieren kann, ohne dafür die grafische Oberfläche(GUI)zu benutzen? Ich brauche einen Befehl, der zuverlässig funktioniert. Der Weg zur Barrierefreiheit ist leider auch hier ausschließlich mit Stolpersteinen gepflastert. Wer schlecht sieht, sollte wichtige Hilfen starten können, ohne auf die Hilfe anderer Menschen für ein paar Klicks angewiesen zu sein. Warum ist das nicht Selbstverständlich?

    #LinuxMint #Linux #Barrierefreiheit #Accessibility #A11y #Sehbehinderung

  24. As I scroll through hashtags like Caturday I'm sorry to see a few nice photos with no alt text (or sometimes a two-word alt text which is totally inadequate). Not a one-off mistake, but a trend in their photos. From people who don't seem to be lacking spoons or having any other legit reason for not including alt text. And not new accounts, either.

    And so I block them. Three more just today.

    #accessibility #AltText

  25. As I scroll through hashtags like Caturday I'm sorry to see a few nice photos with no alt text (or sometimes a two-word alt text which is totally inadequate). Not a one-off mistake, but a trend in their photos. From people who don't seem to be lacking spoons or having any other legit reason for not including alt text. And not new accounts, either.

    And so I block them. Three more just today.

    #accessibility #AltText

  26. Ribbon cutting was this past week!

    NEW #RobiePark Playground - #GorhamME

    by Lauren Slivinsky
    August 8, 2026

    "The brand-new playground at Robie Park brings something especially exciting to Gorham: a 100% #accessible community playground designed with younger children in mind.

    "With a rubberized surface, accessible play equipment, swings, climbing features, imaginative play spaces, and nature-inspired elements, the playground gives kids plenty of different ways to move, explore, and play.

    "It’s also an important addition for local families. Robie Park is Gorham’s only non-school playground, giving families with younger children a dedicated community playground they can visit during school hours.

    Its location makes it even more useful. The playground sits beside the Gorham Municipal Center and adjacent to #BaxterMemorialLibrary, making it easy to pair playground time with a library visit or storytime.

    Play & Explore

    Playground Equipment

    #AccessiblePlayStructure:
    A low, accessible play structure gives younger children opportunities to climb, explore, and play while remaining close to ground level.

    #BermSlide:
    The playground’s slide is incorporated into a landscaped berm, creating a fun way for kids to climb up and slide back down while blending the playground into its natural surroundings.

    Swings:
    The swing area includes:

    - Two standard swings
    - Two toddler bucket swings
    - One large web swing

    The variety makes it easier for children of different ages and abilities to enjoy swinging together.

    Web Climber:
    A large web-style climbing feature gives kids a chance to climb, balance, and test their coordination.

    Ground-Level Merry-Go-Round:
    An accessible ground-level merry-go-round adds another opportunity for children to play together.

    Balance Beams:
    Low balance elements encourage kids to practice coordination while making their way around the playground.

    Rocking Riders:
    Three rocking riders provide another simple play option that’s especially well suited to younger children.

    #ImaginativePlay:
    A playhouse and play truck give kids spaces for pretend play beyond the traditional climbing and sliding equipment.

    Seasonal Water Feature:
    During the warmer months, kids can cool off with a button-activated water feature incorporated into the playground.

    #NatureInspiredPlay

    Natural-inspired elements are incorporated throughout the playground, giving the space a softer feel than a traditional playground while offering additional opportunities for climbing, balancing, and creative play.

    Rest & Refuel

    Shade: Limited — plan for sun protection during warmer parts of the day.

    Restrooms: Restrooms are available during open hours in the Municipal Building.

    Seating: Seating is available around the playground for parents and caregivers.

    Water Access: Bring water bottles, especially during warm summer visits."

    FMI:
    lakeregionkidscalendar.com/202

    #SolarPunkSunday #Accessibility #AccessibleParks #Maine #SpendTimeOutdoors #MorePlayTime

  27. Ribbon cutting was this past week!

    NEW #RobiePark Playground - #GorhamME

    by Lauren Slivinsky
    August 8, 2026

    "The brand-new playground at Robie Park brings something especially exciting to Gorham: a 100% #accessible community playground designed with younger children in mind.

    "With a rubberized surface, accessible play equipment, swings, climbing features, imaginative play spaces, and nature-inspired elements, the playground gives kids plenty of different ways to move, explore, and play.

    "It’s also an important addition for local families. Robie Park is Gorham’s only non-school playground, giving families with younger children a dedicated community playground they can visit during school hours.

    Its location makes it even more useful. The playground sits beside the Gorham Municipal Center and adjacent to #BaxterMemorialLibrary, making it easy to pair playground time with a library visit or storytime.

    Play & Explore

    Playground Equipment

    #AccessiblePlayStructure:
    A low, accessible play structure gives younger children opportunities to climb, explore, and play while remaining close to ground level.

    #BermSlide:
    The playground’s slide is incorporated into a landscaped berm, creating a fun way for kids to climb up and slide back down while blending the playground into its natural surroundings.

    Swings:
    The swing area includes:

    - Two standard swings
    - Two toddler bucket swings
    - One large web swing

    The variety makes it easier for children of different ages and abilities to enjoy swinging together.

    Web Climber:
    A large web-style climbing feature gives kids a chance to climb, balance, and test their coordination.

    Ground-Level Merry-Go-Round:
    An accessible ground-level merry-go-round adds another opportunity for children to play together.

    Balance Beams:
    Low balance elements encourage kids to practice coordination while making their way around the playground.

    Rocking Riders:
    Three rocking riders provide another simple play option that’s especially well suited to younger children.

    #ImaginativePlay:
    A playhouse and play truck give kids spaces for pretend play beyond the traditional climbing and sliding equipment.

    Seasonal Water Feature:
    During the warmer months, kids can cool off with a button-activated water feature incorporated into the playground.

    #NatureInspiredPlay

    Natural-inspired elements are incorporated throughout the playground, giving the space a softer feel than a traditional playground while offering additional opportunities for climbing, balancing, and creative play.

    Rest & Refuel

    Shade: Limited — plan for sun protection during warmer parts of the day.

    Restrooms: Restrooms are available during open hours in the Municipal Building.

    Seating: Seating is available around the playground for parents and caregivers.

    Water Access: Bring water bottles, especially during warm summer visits."

    FMI:
    lakeregionkidscalendar.com/202

    #SolarPunkSunday #Accessibility #AccessibleParks #Maine #SpendTimeOutdoors #MorePlayTime

  28. @danlyke

    I think that’s exactly it.

    Most accessibility problems are almost invisible until your own body suddenly refuses to cooperate.

    Then ordinary things become little negotiations.

    If an injury leaves you with a bit more awareness after it heals, that’s probably one useful thing to take from it.

    #accessibility #injury #hope

  29. @danlyke

    I think that’s exactly it.

    Most accessibility problems are almost invisible until your own body suddenly refuses to cooperate.

    Then ordinary things become little negotiations.

    If an injury leaves you with a bit more awareness after it heals, that’s probably one useful thing to take from it.

    #accessibility #injury #hope

  30. "Think of a wheelchair user who must share her PIN with a stranger to use an out-of-reach payment kiosk. Or a blind person who can’t independently access their own medical records because access is lacking…

    Any system designed to be used independently is a #privacy and #security risk without #accessibility. A system is broken if someone must ask for outside help when tools and content are not accessible."

    from Digital Accessibility Ethics by Lainey Feingold, Reginé Gilbert, and Chancey Fleet

  31. "Think of a wheelchair user who must share her PIN with a stranger to use an out-of-reach payment kiosk. Or a blind person who can’t independently access their own medical records because access is lacking…

    Any system designed to be used independently is a #privacy and #security risk without #accessibility. A system is broken if someone must ask for outside help when tools and content are not accessible."

    from Digital Accessibility Ethics by Lainey Feingold, Reginé Gilbert, and Chancey Fleet

  32. WordPredictor v1.7.0 is out! 🎉

    Big accuracy improvements this time:

    • Retrained the LSTM on 20 million tokens of modern movie and TV dialogue instead of 19th-century literature, so predictions sound like how people actually talk.
    • Extended the context window from 4 to 6 words.
    • The LSTM now blends with the n-gram model instead of replacing it, combining context-aware suggestions with words learned from your own writing.
    • Fixed a long-standing bug where accepting a prediction corrupted the context, making the next prediction ignore everything you'd typed before.

    github.com/RareBird15/wordpred

    #NVDA #Accessibility #BlindTech #AI

  33. WordPredictor v1.7.0 is out! 🎉

    Big accuracy improvements this time:

    • Retrained the LSTM on 20 million tokens of modern movie and TV dialogue instead of 19th-century literature, so predictions sound like how people actually talk.
    • Extended the context window from 4 to 6 words.
    • The LSTM now blends with the n-gram model instead of replacing it, combining context-aware suggestions with words learned from your own writing.
    • Fixed a long-standing bug where accepting a prediction corrupted the context, making the next prediction ignore everything you'd typed before.

    github.com/RareBird15/wordpred

    #NVDA #Accessibility #BlindTech #AI

  34. @MissGayle

    I’m with you on calling out the platforms themselves.

    Where I differ is on shame. I don’t think making ordinary users feel embarrassed is the way out. People stay for all sorts of reasons: work, family, community, audience, accessibility, habit, or simply because leaving is difficult.

    Criticise the platform, its owners and its business model as hard as you like.

    But I’d rather make leaving easier than make staying shameful.

    #accessibility #community #platform #shame #community #audience