IAAP - International Association of Accessibility Professionals

New Year, New Standards: Embrace WCAG 2.2 for a More Accessible Web in 2025 🌐 As we move forward in 2025, now is the ideal time to dive deeper into WCAG 2.2 and ensure your website meets the latest accessibility standards. With 9 new success criteria, WCAG 2.2 addresses critical issues to improve the digital experience for all users, including those with disabilities. For example, new guidelines like "Focus Not Obscured" are designed to make sure keyboard users can easily navigate interactive elements without obstruction. By staying ahead of WCAG updates, you ensure not only compliance but also a more inclusive online environment for all. Learn more about the WCAG 2.2 updates and how to test your website for them in this insightful article by Equalize Digital: https://lnkd.in/e-pAZQkA W3C #DigitalAccessibility #WCAG

🌍 Inclusive Fashion Spotlight: Hisi Studio Hisi Studio in Nairobi is setting a new standard for accessible fashion. Founded by Wanjiku Angela the brand integrates braille and tactile designs into its clothing, empowering blind and visually impaired individuals to experience fashion independently. Customer Julius Mbura shares: “This t-shirt lets me appreciate fashion in ways I never could before.” Learn more about their groundbreaking work here: https://lnkd.in/e-ityae5 #InclusiveFashion #Kenya

Creating Accessible PDFs: The Ultimate Guide 📄 Ensuring that your PDFs are accessible means opening the door for a wider, more inclusive audience. If you're looking to master the art of creating inclusive digital documents, this LinkedIn Learning course on Creating Accessible PDFs taught by Chad Chelius, ADS, Chax Training and Consulting ADS, is your go-to resource. Why take this course? 1. Learn essential accessibility techniques such as proper tagging or effective use of alt text and color contrast. 2. Improve usability for everyone, including people who use assistive technologies like screen readers. 3. Meet compliance standards such as WCAG and Section 508. This course is for designer, marketer, or professional handling documents in any industry, accessible PDFs can significantly enhance your communication and brand inclusivity. Start learning today: https://shorturl.at/7Q7ci #PDFAccessibility #LinkedInLearning

Revolutionizing Navigation: A Smart Guide for the Blind and Visually Impaired Researchers at MakeSense have developed Shape, a torch-like device that acts as a "smart guide dog" for blind individuals. Using haptic feedback technology, Shape bends to indicate direction and straightens when facing the right path. Tested successfully with visually impaired users, the device matches the efficiency of sighted individuals in locating targets. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e2Ciu8kg Reuters #Accessibility #TechInnovation

Accessible Books for All Children Simon & Schuster Children's Books has partnered with Living Paintings to adapt the book Supertato for blind and visually impaired children. Featuring tactile illustrations, braille, and audio guides, this initiative makes storytelling inclusive. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ebw6zRB9 #InclusiveReading #AccessibilityMatters

🌟Happy New Year, IAAP Community — Happy New Opportunities! Ready to make 2025 a breakthrough year for accessibility? The start of a new year offers an opportunity to reflect on and advance the possibilities of accessibility and inclusion. This year, let’s focus on three impactful goals: 1️. Champion universal design. 2️. Build inclusive communities. 3️. Expand accessibility knowledge worldwide. Accessible environments don’t just help some—they help everyone. Together, we can make strides that change lives. As IAAP, we’re here to guide, educate and connect accessibility professionals globally. Make 2025 the year you: •   Learn something new. •   Connect with peers who share your vision. •   Advocate for lasting change. The future is inclusive—and it starts today. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gzmXjhSP 💬 What are your accessibility goals for 2025? Share them below—we’d love to hear from you! #HappyNewYear #Accessibility #Inclusion #IAAPCommunity

Boosting Accessibility with Decorative Images: Best Practices for Design & UX Mastering decorative images is key to improving both accessibility and user experience. These images, which don't convey meaningful content, need to be properly marked to ensure screen readers skip over them. To get it right: 1. Use an empty alt attribute (alt="") for most decorative images. 2. Role="presentation" can be used for complex elements, but avoid combining it with an alt attribute. Remember, providing clean and clear design choices helps create an inclusive web for all users. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/djv8TJNZ The A11Y Collective #UXDesign #InclusiveDesign

🎉 Celebrating 30,000+ LinkedIn Followers: 2024, A Year of Growth and Progress! What a remarkable year it has been for the accessibility community! This year, we surpassed 30,000 followers on LinkedIn—a testament to the shared commitment to advancing accessibility worldwide. We also celebrated a major milestone: IAAP's 10th Anniversary!!! Over the past decade, our global community has grown significantly: 1. 7,000+ IAAP Members across 100+ countries. 2. 8,000+ Professional Certifications earned in 80+ countries. 3. Over 200 Webinars held. We are deeply proud and grateful for every member, professional, and advocate who continues to champion accessibility and inclusion. Learn more about IAAP Membership: https://shorturl.at/Q9mJY Learn more about IAAP Professional Certifications: https://shorturl.at/QIcjJ We look forward to a successful 2025 and a growing accessibility community, united in our efforts for a more inclusive world. #AccessibilityMatters #UnitedInAccessibility

Expanding Access: Aira's Visual Assistance Now at Walmart Aira’s on-demand visual interpreting service is now available at all Walmart locations across the U.S. and on Walmart.com! With the Aira app, users can connect 24/7 with professional visual interpreters for assistance with: 1. Shopping online at Walmart.com. 2. Finding the shortest checkout line or placing an order for in-store pickup. 3. This service extends beyond the store to parking lots, sidewalks, and transit stops near Walmart locations. Learn more here: https://shorturl.at/bhytA #Aira #Walmart

Advancing Accessibility: DOT Adopts PROWAG for Public Transit Stops On December 18, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a landmark final rule adopting the Access Board’s Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) as part of its ADA standards for transit stops. This update enforces critical standards for accessible design in new construction and alterations of transit stops, eliminating barriers and ensuring equitable access to public transportation for disabled people. While challenges remain, including gaps in guidance for floating bus stops and protected bike lanes, this rule is a milestone in creating inclusive public spaces. Collaboration with disability groups will be key to achieving fully accessible streets and advancing the ADA’s vision of equality, independence, and inclusion. Learn more: https://shorturl.at/Gyjw6 #ADACompliance #InclusiveInfrastructure