Making accessibility part of the spec
Dec 2nd, 2025
If accessibility isn't in your spec, it won't get built.
This is an archive of the email messages I sent to my daily mailing list since March 12th, 2024. Enjoy!
Dec 2nd, 2025
If accessibility isn't in your spec, it won't get built.
Dec 1st, 2025
If your spec doesn't include accessibility, AI agents will build exactly what you asked for, and nothing more.
Nov 30th, 2025
In Issue 74 of Access Denied, Gary relies exclusively on AI to write code.
Nov 29th, 2025
AI agents are writing, reviewing and testing code without anyone asking about accessibility.
Nov 28th, 2025
Stop acting like you need to finish every other task on the roadmap before accessibility gets a look.
Nov 27th, 2025
Don't wait until after you ship to hear from users with disabilities.
Nov 26th, 2025
Accessibility testing coverage numbers don't tell you if you sleep soundly at night.
Nov 25th, 2025
Accessibility is a problem that won't go away if you ignore it.
Nov 24th, 2025
A personal story about one man's security nightmare.
Nov 23rd, 2025
In Issue 73 of Access Denied, Gary thinks adding CAPTCHAs to improve security justifies the accessibility and usability problems.
Nov 22nd, 2025
A story about password requirements being too much.
Nov 21st, 2025
When security best practices conflict with the WCAG, security usually comes out ahead.
Nov 20th, 2025
Figure out what keeps stakeholders up at night and show them how you're addressing it.
Nov 19th, 2025
3 things that matter when testing your product for accessibility.
Nov 18th, 2025
It's easier to trust a credential than to evaluate an idea on merit.
Nov 17th, 2025
When consultants look authoritative, we assume they know what they're talking about.
Nov 16th, 2025
In Issue 72 of Access Denied, Gary hires an accessibility consultant who says the same things as Sarah.
Nov 15th, 2025
Concrete ideas on how to become the go-to accessibility person in your team.
Nov 14th, 2025
Internal accessibility expertise is overlooked just because it doesn't come with the right visual signaling.
Nov 13th, 2025
Find the high-impact accessibility issues and fix those first, rather than trying to do everything at once.
Nov 12th, 2025
Having 100% coverage doesn't matter if people can't actually use your product.
Nov 11th, 2025
Part 2 of your questions about authority points in accessibility answered.
Nov 10th, 2025
Your questions about authority points in accessibility answered.
Nov 9th, 2025
In Issue 71 of Access Denied, Gary thinks Sarah doesn't have enough influence to ask for accessibility.
Nov 8th, 2025
How to measure your influence and credibility within an organisation.
Nov 7th, 2025
Accessibility is always "important but not urgent" so it gets bumped every sprint for whatever shiny thing leadership wants.
Nov 6th, 2025
Automated accessibility tools catch problems before they become your problem.
Nov 5th, 2025
The gap between what the tests catch and the culture around testing.
Nov 4th, 2025
Forget the "put yourself in their shoes" exercises in accessibility.
Nov 3rd, 2025
Certification is cool and all, but it's hollow without genuine care for people.
I send out short emails like these every day to help you gain a fresh perspective on accessibility and understand it without the jargon, so you can build more robust products that everyone can use, including people with disabilities.