May 2026 Newsletter
Feature
An Extension is Not an Excuse
HHS gave everyone a one-year extension to make web content and mobile apps accessible under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Whether this inspires anger or relief, what's the best way to make use of that time?
Upcoming WebAIM Events
- Virtual Web Accessibility Training - June 17–18
- Document Accessibility Course - June cohort is now open for registrations
- Accessibility in Technology Procurement and Use - July 16
Resources
Not All Hidden Content Is Equal: How Different Hiding Methods Impact Accessibility
From an accessibility perspective, each hiding method behaves differently; some remove content from assistive technologies entirely, while others keep it available to screen readers.
Inclusive user research: vulnerable people
When running research with vulnerable people it's essential to create an environment where participants feel safe and where researchers are skilled, supported, and able to work confidently and responsibly.
Testing Methods: On Focus
When focus behaviors are predictable, users relying on keyboards, screen readers, or other assistive technologies can navigate digital interfaces without disorientation or confusion.
Colour, Contrast, and Creativity
In this blog, Bobby Ly contemplates whether accessible colour combinations have to feel limiting, or whether they can be a creative spark.
HHS Section 504 deadline extended
What did and didn't change, and what your organization needs to do.
A11y 101: 3.1.1 Language of Page
The requirement is simple but powerful: The default human language of each web page must be programmatically determinable.
You can't audit your way into accessibility culture change
When teams rely on audits as their primary accessibility strategy, they place themselves in a reactive position.
My thoughts on the "focusgroup" attribute proposal
A native solution that eliminates dependencies and handles the heavy lifting when it comes to keyboard usage? Sounds like the best of both worlds!
AI Doesn't Fix Accessible Systems. It Depends on Them.
AI cannot repair a broken structure. Instead, AI inherits it and reproduces it at scale.
9 Accessibility Myths and Pushbacks (And How to Answer Them)
Reframes, evidence, and practical strategies to help designers convince teams to invest in accessibility.
May Accessibility Focus: PDFs and non-HTML documents
Articles and videos that explain what PDF and non-HTML documents are, why and when to use HTML instead of PDF, and accessible PDF basics.
Quick Tip: Avoid placeholder-only form labels
Relying solely on placeholder text as a label is problematic: it disappears when users type and is often not announced clearly by screen readers. Always include persistent labels (>label< elements). This helps users understand the purpose of each field at all times.