The hottest Accessibility Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

I Got Surgery to Restore My Hearing. I Regret It.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 315 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. Modern medical procedures like Gamma Knife surgery and cochlear implants can restore severe hearing loss and change a person’s auditory life.
  2. New AI tools — speech-to-text and AI-assisted hearing aids — are narrowing the gap between deaf and hearing by providing noninvasive alternatives.
  3. Because these technologies are advancing quickly, some people are rethinking or regretting invasive interventions like cochlear implants as the line between being deaf and hearing blurs.

What’s Next for College Admissions?

Persuasion • 1356 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🚌 Education Accessibility
  1. Colleges face a choice: be transparent in admissions or continue with murky criteria.
  2. Removing test scores can worsen inequality in admissions, favoring the rich even more.
  3. Making college more accessible and transparent can benefit disadvantaged students and improve trust in higher education.

Providing X-Rays, MRIs and CT Scans to Higher-Weight Patients

Weight and Healthcare • 479 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Accessibility
  1. Know the weight and size capacities of your equipment and facilities to provide better care to higher-weight patients.
  2. Understand the diverse needs of all patients and create protocols to ensure a positive experience for everyone, including those with disabilities and neurodivergence.
  3. Communicate openly and proactively with patients about accommodations, accessibility, and equipment capabilities to enhance their experience and educate them about available options.
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Better Data Science: How To Design Visualizations that Work

Data at Depth • 79 implied HN points • 05 May 24
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. Start with defining the function you want the audience to perform with the presented data before creating visualizations that support it
  2. Implement aspects like affordances, accessibility, and aesthetics to ensure your visualizations are clear, usable, and visually appealing for the audience
  3. Achieving acceptance of your data visualization involves following established design principles like direct labeling, thoughtful use of color, alignment, and the data-ink principle

Democratization of Design

The Intersection • 138 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🪑 Design Accessibility
  1. Design tools like Canva have democratized design, making it accessible to everyone, but the quality of design produced may not always meet professional standards.
  2. AI-powered design tools aim to streamline design processes, but they require a fundamental understanding of design to be used effectively.
  3. While tools like Canva have made design accessible to non-designers, the quality of work ultimately depends on the skills and capabilities of the individuals using the tools.

Losing Sight, Seeing More

Earthly Fortunes • 255 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Accessibility
  1. It's important to take breaks from screen time to prevent eye strain and preserve vision.
  2. By using accessibility technology, we can gain deeper insights into the experiences of those with disabilities.
  3. Technology should not only cater to the privileged but also be accessible and caring towards all individuals.

Disability & travel writing: a cocktail for discrimination?

Talking Travel Writing • 235 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Accessibility
  1. Mainstream media often overlooks accessible travel information, despite the significant number of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses who could benefit from it.
  2. Inclusive practices in the travel industry, like accommodating carers or partners of disabled travelers, can lead to enriching experiences and genuine representation.
  3. Challenges faced by disabled individuals in the travel writing industry, and the importance of raising awareness and creating a more inclusive environment.

How I Transcribed 362 Episodes of My Favorite Podcast Using Codex CLI and exe.dev

Juan David’s Newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🎙 Podcasts Accessibility
  1. A reliable four-step pipeline handled hundreds of episodes unattended: raw ASR → deterministic cleanup → editorial LLM pass → publish/sync, running Codex CLI on a remote VM so the whole job could finish without babysitting.
  2. A strict style guide, correction maps, and a locked editorial prompt made the LLM behave like a conservative editor, fixing ASR phonetic errors, names, punctuation, and obvious typos without adding facts or changing meaning.
  3. The results were published with per-episode pages, audio players, navigation, and SEO, and an automated watcher now transcribes new episodes automatically, making the archive searchable for humans and LLMs and enabling future personalized learning tools.

Hello AI Agents: Goodbye UI Design, RIP Accessibility

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 180 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. AI agents will change how we interact with the internet by doing tasks for us, making traditional user interfaces less important. Instead of users browsing websites, agents will handle everything, like shopping or booking trips.
  2. Accessibility might become less relevant as AI agents can adapt content for the individual needs of users with disabilities. These agents will tailor their actions and communication according to what each user prefers or requires.
  3. As AI agents become more capable, the way content is designed will shift. Websites may need to focus more on how agents can access and analyze information rather than on making things visually appealing for human users.

GCash is coming to Axie and Ronin!

The Lunacian • 506 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. GCash partnership with Axie and Ronin aims to make crypto more accessible for Filipinos
  2. 80% of Filipino internet users rely on GCash, making it a significant financial platform in the country
  3. Collaboration with GCash will enhance user experience and provide a seamless pathway for engagement with Axie and Ronin

Making Them Laugh, Making Them Think

Everything Is Amazing • 882 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🔬 Science Accessibility
  1. Substack has launched a new feature called Notes, resembling Twitter but with a more positive tone.
  2. Legal language is often unnecessarily complex and difficult to read due to factors like jargon and convoluted sentence structures.
  3. The Ig Nobel Prizes celebrate quirky and humorous scientific research, shedding light on interesting discoveries with a touch of lightheartedness.

Audio version of Reality is Breaking

Charles Eisenstein • 2 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
📚 Literature Accessibility
  1. An audio version is provided to make the piece accessible to blind readers and to serve people who prefer listening.
  2. Reading is recommended because some paragraphs need time to digest and reading lets you pause and follow your own pace, while audio forces the narrator's timing.
  3. Subscribers are thanked and invited to consider switching to a paid subscription, and there's a brief personal note about having a bad cold.

Dashing Data Viz - Issue 235

Dashing Data Viz • 98 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. Notable tool offers on-the-fly assistance for data storytelling in computational notebooks.
  2. Chart Reader prototype enables screen reader users to navigate and consume accessible data visualizations.
  3. DataPilot presents visual cues for subset selection during visual data preparation.

#18: Amtrak's Next Generation Trains Look Awesome

Bureau of Adventure • 3 HN points • 17 Aug 24
🏝 Travel Accessibility
  1. Amtrak is introducing new long-distance trains that enhance the passenger experience. The new designs aim to improve comfort with better sleeping compartments and dining options.
  2. The new trains will have special lounges for first-class passengers. This means they will have a place to relax, get snacks, and enjoy drinks that coach passengers won't have.
  3. Accessibility is a big focus, allowing more people to enjoy train travel. The trains will include features like lifts to upper levels and wider aisles to make it easier for everyone.

🌽🌽Kernel for the Holidays🌽🌽

Reboot • 8 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. There’s a one-week holiday flash sale: Kernel issues 3, 4, and 5 are 33% off, and you should order by December 13 to guarantee holiday delivery.
  2. All of Kernel 5 has been unlocked online, featuring pieces on web accessibility, the Gale–Shapley algorithm, poetry, and experimental fiction.
  3. The microdoses section highlights new projects and tools, including the launch of Diffuse AI for reporting on AI diffusion, a new resonant computing microsite, and Papertrail for tracking academic papers.

#2 - How to make a good text field

A Good Interface • 79 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. A good text field is displayed at the right time - only show it when needed, use alternatives like toggle switches or choice lists when possible.
  2. A good text field has clear label - make labels short, precise, and avoid overusing technical language.
  3. A good text field gives visual feedback - ensure visual cues like hover, active, focus states are properly incorporated to guide users.

How to become a Self-Driving Car Engineer in 2023

What's AI Newsletter by Louis-François Bouchard • 78 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. To become a self-driving car engineer, leverage AI and automation to streamline workflows and boost productivity.
  2. Becoming a self-driving car engineer involves diving into the industry, understanding LiDAR technology, and debunking myths.
  3. Developing self-driving cars raises ethical concerns regarding safety, liability, data privacy, and accessibility, requiring collaboration across various stakeholders.

Artificial Division -

Charles Eisenstein • 2 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Accessibility
  1. Comments will be opened but limited to paid subscribers to set a boundary, and anyone who sincerely asks can get a free upgrade so money isn’t a barrier.
  2. The aim is to allow critique of ideas while blocking personal attacks, derision, and cruelty to keep discussion constructive and safe.
  3. There’s a community forum on Mighty Networks with a live call coming up, and the Substack is reader-supported with options to subscribe.

In Colorado: Wheelchair Repair Law Is Already Transforming Lives

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Accessibility
  1. In Colorado, a new wheelchair repair law is enabling individuals like Bruce and Robin to have greater control over their power wheelchair settings and functions, previously controlled exclusively by manufacturers.
  2. Access to programmer applications under the law is streamlining repairs for power wheelchair users in Colorado, providing quicker diagnosis and solutions for malfunctions.
  3. The success of the wheelchair repair law in Colorado has inspired interest in similar legislation in other states, with potential challenges and opportunities for the disability community in promoting repair rights.

A UXer's guide to neurodiversity

UX Psychology • 158 implied HN points • 13 May 22
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. Neurodiversity encompasses a wide range of neurological variations in the human population, emphasizing the positive aspects and uniqueness of different thinking styles and cognitive functions.
  2. When designing for neurodiversity, consider factors like font choice, error prevention, clear copywriting, sensory issues, and consistency in design to create inclusive user experiences.
  3. In the workplace, it's important to foster understanding and flexibility to support neurodiverse individuals, from adjusting hiring practices to creating accommodating work environments and providing education and resources.

Audit for Creating A Size-Inclusive Healthcare Office

Weight and Healthcare • 239 implied HN points • 18 Dec 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Accessibility
  1. Perform an audit to ensure a healthcare office is size-inclusive, considering the needs of individuals of all sizes and abilities.
  2. Regularly self-audit for any instances of potential weight-based discrimination and address them proactively.
  3. Provide accommodations like wide chairs, suitable medical equipment, and positive representations to support the health of diverse individuals.

Thank you, subscribers!

Disaffected Newsletter • 119 implied HN points • 09 Dec 22
🎙 Podcasts Accessibility
  1. Thank you to all the new subscribers for joining us. Your support is really appreciated!
  2. As a subscriber, you get access to a special Discord chat just for supporters. It's a great way to connect with others!
  3. You can try out a free 7-day trial to access even more content. It's a great way to see what we offer!

Using :has() pseudo-class to style parent elements

Perspectiv | LAB • 2 HN points • 21 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. The :has() pseudo-class in CSS lets you style a parent element based on its child elements. This means you can change how a parent looks if it has kids that meet certain criteria.
  2. One practical use is to display error messages more clearly. You can make a parent element look different, like changing colors, when there's an error message inside it.
  3. This technique also helps with accessibility. You can use it to highlight parent elements for users who may need visual signals, based on child elements with special attributes.

Using AI in education, Part 1

Solresol • 19 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🚌 Education Accessibility
  1. Consider using AI for translating educational materials to make learning more accessible to students with different language backgrounds.
  2. Engaging students by providing educational content in their native language can improve their learning experience and motivation.
  3. Discuss the evolving importance of improving English fluency versus providing education in native languages to cater to global diversity.

Accessibility Has Failed: Try Generative UI = Individualized UX

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 89 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. Traditional accessibility methods have not significantly improved computer usability for disabled users, prompting the need for a new approach like Generative UI for tailored user experiences.
  2. Accessibility has faced challenges due to high costs and ultimately creating a subpar user experience, especially for blind users with auditory interfaces.
  3. Supporting older and low-literacy users has been more successful with current methods, highlighting the importance of considering their needs alongside generative UI for wider user inclusivity.

Fried Egg Golf at the Meadow Club

Wigs on the Green • 19 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🎾 Sports Accessibility
  1. The event at the Meadow Club in Fairfax highlighted a positive shift towards accessibility in golf culture.
  2. Attending such exclusive golf events can lead to unexpected and enriching experiences, like networking with industry professionals.
  3. Events like Fried Egg Golf can play a role in reshaping golf culture to be more equitable and open to all.

The abstraction trap

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 08 May 22
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. Abstraction helps make complex things simpler, but not everyone understands it like tech people do. It's essential to remember that what seems easy to us can be quite confusing for others.
  2. When designing software, we should think about how users perceive it. Not all users will understand the technical thinking behind it, so we need to create a user-friendly experience.
  3. We have to be aware of our biases and design for those who find abstraction difficult. Gathering user feedback and constantly improving is key to making software accessible.

AI With “Computer Use”: Agents, Accessibility Fix, Facilitating Usability Tests

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 27 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. AI can now operate computers just like humans, which means it can click, type, and understand what’s on the screen. This makes using computers easier for everyone, especially for those who struggle with traditional interfaces.
  2. AI agents are expected to take over simple tasks for users, like booking hotels or managing reservations, making life more convenient. However, understanding personal preferences may take some time for AI to improve.
  3. AI's capability to watch and analyze user interactions can help conduct usability studies more effectively. This could lead to better products, as AI can help gather insights about how real users behave.

What Even Is a Private Golf Club and Why Are Most So Difficult to Play?

Wigs on the Green • 4 HN points • 01 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Accessibility
  1. Private golf clubs in the US operate under specific tax codes that restrict advertising and require revenue from members only.
  2. UK private golf clubs have more general tax-exempt rules, allowing them to accommodate visitors and non-members more freely.
  3. American private clubs can host occasional events for outsiders and benefit from the prestige of hosting tournaments.

Apple Tysons Corner: A new chapter

Tabletops • 2 HN points • 18 May 23
💼 Business Accessibility
  1. Apple Store at Tysons Corner underwent a comprehensive redesign, emphasizing the return of the Genius Bar and innovative product discovery spaces.
  2. Accessibility was a key focus, with lowered tables and widened aisles to enhance wheelchair accessibility, along with hearing loop systems for those hard of hearing.
  3. The store showcases fresh takes on traditional Apple Store features, such as Avenues and Apple Pickup, with new design elements like sustainable materials and updated layouts.

Retrofitting is part of accessibility

Andrew's Substack • 2 HN points • 18 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Accessibility
  1. It's best to build products with accessibility from the beginning to save costs and get better results.
  2. Making an app accessible later can be challenging and lead to a backlog of accessibility bugs.
  3. In the real world, retrofitting for accessibility may be necessary, and it's valuable to focus on educating teams, ensuring new developments are accessible, and tackling a subset of accessibility issues at a time.

Why surfing is the best/worst sport

Hazy Bridge • 0 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🎾 Sports Accessibility
  1. Surfing offers a deep connection with nature through harmonizing with the ocean's power and energy.
  2. Surfing provides a physical and mental challenge that improves strength, endurance, and resilience.
  3. Surfing allows for a sense of freedom, escape from daily stress, and building a supportive global community of surfers.