Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast

Accessibility isn't the cherry on top, it should be baked in to your designs from the start! In this episode, Dax and Chad break down common design pitfalls and explain how to avoid them! From poor color contrast and tiny fonts to confusing layouts and unlabeled charts, they dive into the most common mistakes. Using plenty of real-world stories, this episode shows the value of considering accessib...

Accessibility checkers are helpful, but they don't tell the whole story. In this episode, Dax and Chad break down what  really  makes a document accessible, from heading structure and reading order to alt text, lists, and color contrast. With plenty of real-world examples (and a few accessibility wizard jokes), this episode is a practical guide to building better documents from the start!   Intere...

Designing accessible multilingual documents goes way beyond translation. In this episode, Dax and Chad unpack the many layers, from alt text limitations and form field quirks to font encoding nightmares and cultural sensitivity in visuals. If you're designing multi-language documents or forms, this conversation is packed with practical insights to help you build documents that are truly inclusive....

Forms are one of the trickiest types of PDF's to make accessible!  In this episode, Chad and Dax break down why forms can be so frustrating, how tagging impacts screen reader navigation, and what tools and workflows can help you build forms that are both functional and accessible. They share tips that save time (and sanity), pitfalls to avoid, and, as always, they remind you why checking your work...

In this episode of Chax Chat, hosts Chad Chelius and Dax Castro tackle real-world challenges in document accessibility, focusing on tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat. They explore common issues with tables and cells, such as merged headers and layout complexities, and share practical tips for ensuring accessibility across different formats. The conversation includes strategies fo...

In this episode of ChaxChat , hosts Chad Chelius and Dax Castro delve into document accessibility with a focus on real-world challenges and professional development. This episode highlights tools and strategies that bridge the gap between aesthetics and functionality. Working in MS Word, Powerpoint and Adobe Acrobat. Using the Microsoft accessibility checker. Qualitative VS quantitative. And of co...

What really drives accessibility—compliance, inclusion, or brand trust? Chad and Dax unpack an IAAP white paper on motivations, share how automation needs a human touch, and highlight why certifications like IAAP's ADS matter. They also dive into creating truly accessible documents with a focus on meeting PDF/UA standards. Perfect for anyone ready to level up their accessibility game.

In this episode of Chax Chat, Chad Chelius and Dax Castro take a hard look at the hidden risks of relying on templates for accessible content. They unpack how even well-intentioned templates can bake in bad practices and create barriers at scale when not built with accessibility in mind. From heading structures to color contrast, the duo shares tips on what to look out for and how to fix it. They...

In this episode of Chax Chat, Chad Chelius and Dax Castro dive into the world of artificial intelligence and its role in accessibility. From AI-generated alt text to document remediation tools, they explore the balance between automation and accuracy. You'll hear real-world examples, a few rants, and some solid advice for those navigating this evolving landscape. Whether you're curious about what'...

In this episode of Chax Chat , Chad Chelius and Dax Castro tackle some of the most common challenges in document accessibility. From overlooked tagging issues to the hidden complexities of tables and lists, they break down key remediation strategies that can save you time and frustration. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this conversation is packed with practical tips to help yo...

This is really a trick question. In this episode we discuss how to answer the question "What is the one tool you use for accessibility?" Chad and Dax start out by discussing the merits of getting an accessibility certification and then move on to talk about a couple of new scripts that are currently on their website. Specifically one that helps hide and show items in the Adobe InDesign Articles pa...

They say the best way to learn a language is by working with a native speaker, and learning Assistive Technology is no different. We are thrilled to have Kristen Witucki from Tamman Inc join us today on Chax Chat to talk about her experience as a native assistive technology user. Kristen walks us through the way she uses NVDA and JAWS, her setting preferences, and how the use of this technology af...

Effective use of alt text, actual text, extended descriptions, and captions are essential for helping the users of accessibility tools read the document the way you intended. Most documents contain more than words alone. Graphics, graphs, photos, and even stylized formats are used to enhance the reader experience. But oftentimes, these visual elements disrupt or even create a barrier for users of...

Today on Chax Chat we talk about designing with accessibility in mind. Creating an accessibility-first mindset is essential to the success of creating documents that maximize accessibility from the start and avoid the time drain of accessibility at the end or redoing the work when the inevitable last-minute change comes.  Join Chad Chelius and Dax Castro as they break down Designing accessible tri...

Adobe InDesign offers several features to manage the tags and content of your document for accessibility, but not all panes are built the same! In today's episode of Chax Chat, we are going to explore all three of these windows, the benefits and purposes they serve, and when or when not to use them.  Today we will be defining assistive technology, unraveling the tags pane, the order panel, and the...

Microsoft Word is said to be one of the best applications for making accessible documents, but how true is that claim? There are a lot of practices that designers use that set them back while working within Word. Join Chad Chelius and Dax Castro as they talk about some of the most common issues document creators encounter when working within this application, best rules to follow to avoid those is...

Learn our favorite tips, tricks, and shortcuts to creating accessible documents in Indesign! Every application has hidden secrets, some so good you wish you knew them sooner. Join Chad Chelius and Dax Castro as they share their experiences behind these shortcuts, how they found them, and how each tip can help you become a quicker, more proficient document accessibility expert.    In this episode,...

Avoiding a lawsuit is as easy as implementing accessibility correctly the first time. But as many of us know, we still aren't quite there yet. There is a lot of work that needs to be done if we are going to truly have an internet that is accessible to everyone. Many businesses and public entities offer services, products, and information that everyone needs access to, regardless of their ability,...

"Automation does not guarantee compliance!" is the inspiration behind today's episode. Here at CHAX Accessibility Training. Accessibility Checkers are one such tool. They check for particular issues, but just because a checker does not flag accessibility issues does not mean your documents are compliant. Today we are going to unravel the 7 things that Fail Accessibility but will pass your Checker!...

There is no doubt that the subject of accessibility and remediation can be a confusing landscape for those just starting out in this wonderful industry. Today, we tackle part two of our Top Ten Questions in accessibility and remediation! Some of these answers might surprise you, as we both learned something new in this episode, too. We discover new tools, like PDFix, review our top applications, d...

Understanding how people use accessibility technology is essential to creating accessible media. In this episode, Chad Chelius and Dax Castro dive into the 2024 WebAIM "Screen Reader User Survey #10 Results" to get an inside look on who uses screen reading tools, and where they use them. They cover age, location, favorite reader, and more. Even though we are exploring a relatively small sample siz...

In this episode Chad Chelius and Dax Castro discuss what it means to understand the user experience of a screen reader as well as accessibility technology at large. Creating documents and digital media has its challenges, but what if your product does not respond the way you expect it to? Learn about how to adapt your understanding to the end user experience in today's episode. We are also excited...

In this episode, we unravel nested tag structures. Chad and Dax break down lists, TOC, footnotes, and tables. Learn what the most basic way to create a list structure is and how Dax had to hit the books once again to make sure he wasn't telling tales. Chad talks about footnotes and references and why you might hear "Link Link" in your TOC elements. If you struggle to understand which tags get nest...

In this episode, we interview Kelly Swanson and Sherri Smith from the Center for Schools and Communities to understand how Sheri was able to initiate interest in document accessibility and start a successful document accessibility program within their organization. Kelly shared key insights from a manager's perspective that can help others in their quest to implement accessibility at a program lev...