The Accessibility Breakdown

Mark Miller and Justin Stockton break down three accessibility-focused articles covering plain language as an accessibility feature, the myth of the all-in-one accessibility specialist, and how return-to-office mandates can disproportionately harm disabled workers. The episode connects writing, organizational structure, and workplace policy back to a shared accessibility theme: if you design for real people, you improve access for everyone.

Special Guest: Nicolas Steenhout. In this episode, we dive into practical insights on web accessibility through the lens of Stoic principles, evaluate the effectiveness of carousels, and discuss the importance of genuine inclusion in accessibility efforts. Join us as we explore how mindsets and real-world challenges intersect with creating accessible digital experiences.

In this episode of Accessibility Breakdown, Mark Miller and Justin Stockton dig into three timely accessibility topics: online retail accessibility, CSUN’s new innovation track, and whether PDFs are finally on the way out.They start with an article by Claire McDonald, based on research from Nexer’s The Hidden Journey report, which highlights how online retail still creates major barriers for disabled shoppers. Mark and Justin discuss why these issues keep happening, how cart abandonment and loyalty intersect with accessibility, and why the problem often comes down to leadership, ongoing integration, and organizational maturity rather than a one-time audit.

Next, they shift to CSUN’s upcoming innovation track, a new initiative designed to give accessibility innovators a place to present ideas, get feedback, and connect with vendors and users. They explore how this could become a kind of incubator for assistive technology, and why CSUN continues to evolve as a hub for both established companies and new ideas.

Finally, they discuss an article asking whether we’re witnessing the slow death of the PDF. The conversation covers the limits of PDFs on mobile, the challenge of maintaining accessible PDFs at scale, and why HTML often provides a more flexible and user-friendly alternative. They also reflect on how PDFs became so entrenched in the first place and why many organizations are still trying to move away from them.

Unlock the hidden disconnect between AI, accessibility, and your website’s future—what you don’t know could be breaking your site’s potential and your search rankings.

• AI is reading websites in new ways
• The accessibility tree matters for visibility
• Poor accessibility can hurt reach and compliance
• New standards like EN 17161 and WCAG 3 are changing the game
• Learn how to future-proof your site in an AI-driven web

The surprising truth about how AI really reads your website—it's not what you think—and why so many sites are breaking as a result. If you're a developer, designer, or business owner struggling with accessibility or SEO, this episode will transform your understanding of the web's future. Discover how the accessibility tree acts as the secret bridge for AI, and why neglecting it can leave your site invisible to search engines and AI bots alike.

Finally, we explore the future of web accessibility standards—why EN 17161 might be the most future-proof framework you can adopt now—highlighting the importance of organizational process, issue registries, and proactive compliance. As WCAG 3 promises a more adaptable, person-centered model, learn how to integrate ongoing accessibility management into your workflows, so your website stays relevant—and visible—for years to come.

The Accessibility Tree Is How AI Agents Read Your Site & It’s Breaking

Slobodan Manic

Design for all, part 4: WCAG’s patient partner

Wilco Fiers

Understanding the Future of Accessibility and AI: Insights from Wilko Fierce and Jonathan Moson

In this episode, we explore groundbreaking perspectives on accessibility standards, AI's role in assistive technology, and societal implications, with deep dives into Wilko Fierce's EN 17161 standard and Jonathan Moson’s compelling article on AI and blindness. Whether you're an industry professional or just curious about next-gen accessibility, this discussion will broaden your understanding of how standards evolve and technology impacts lives.

The conversation delves into legal compliance topics related to accessibility, covering the Pharmavite ADA Web Accessibility Class Action Settlement, legal updates, standing analysis, and the challenges of age verification using facial recognition technology. The discussion highlights the need for continued exploration and improvement in these areas to ensure accessibility and legal compliance.

Takeaways

• Legal compliance in accessibility
• Challenges of age verification using facial recognition technology

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Legal Compliance Topics
• 09:05 Legal Update and Standing Analysis
• 22:10 The Faces Age Verification Cannot Read

The conversation covers the topics of building a general purpose accessibility agent and a structural workbook for AI accessible design systems. It delves into the process, implications, and governance of AI in design systems, providing valuable insights for organizations looking to integrate accessibility into their software development lifecycle. The conversation delves into the themes of ownership and responsibility for AI output, the overlap between coding and design in accessibility, and the implications of the accessible medical diagnosis equipment rule. It explores the need for clear ownership and responsibility for AI output, the intersection of coding and design in accessibility, and the impact of the accessible medical diagnosis equipment rule on medical equipment accessibility.

Takeaways

* Building a general purpose accessibility agent
* Structural workbook for AI accessible design systems Ownership and responsibility for AI output
* Overlap between coding and design in accessibility

Episode Overview
This week's episode covered three major accessibility topics: regulatory deadline extensions, innovative PDF solutions, and the role of craft in an AI-driven world.

1. HHS and Title II Deadline Extensions
HHS (Health and Human Services) Section 504 accessibility requirements have been extended by one year
This follows similar extensions for Title II of the ADA affecting state and local entities

Large entities (50,000+ employees) received a one-year extension
Smaller entities (under 50,000) received a two-year extension
Key Concern: Both hosts expressed frustration that these requirements aren't new - accessibility has been required for years, and WCAG 2.1 AA standards have been established

Business Advice: Organizations should NOT pause their accessibility efforts despite extensions, as there's significant ROI in accessibility and the requirements remain legally enforceable

2. PDF to Accessible Markdown Tool
Dylan Isaac and Blake Bertuccelli-Booth presented an open-source AI tool at the A11Y New York meetup (run by Thomas Logan/Equal Entry)
The tool converts PDFs to Markdown format, making content more web-friendly and accessible

Markdown uses simple characters (like # for headings) instead of HTML tags, making it easier to write and read
PDFs were designed in the 1990s to represent physical documents, not digital content

The tool (part of Quality Reflow from University of Illinois Chicago) helps organizations convert PDF backlogs to more accessible formats

3. "Craft is Untouchable" - AI and Accessibility
Discussion of Christopher Butler's article about how AI doesn't replace craft
AI is compared to the synthesizer in the 1980s - a tool that enhances rather than replaces human expertise

Accessibility craft involves the human expertise of making technology usable for people with disabilities
A story shared about Todd Waits (Crawford Technologies), who continued his keyboard passion after losing his right arm by using synthesizer technology

Emphasis that AI can be an assistive technology that makes things possible for people with disabilities

Key Takeaways
Don't delay accessibility work due to regulatory extensions - the ROI is significant

Consider converting legacy PDFs to Markdown for better accessibility
AI is a tool that enhances accessibility work rather than replacing human expertise

Accessibility has strong business benefits, including customer loyalty, retention, and expanded market reach

Resources Mentioned
Equal Entry blog and A11Y New York meetup
Quality Reflow tool (University of Illinois Chicago)
Crawford Technologies

In this episode, Mark and Justin discuss three main topics:

1. "Design and Engineering Solve Different Problems: AI Initiatives Are Forgetting That" by Jeana Clark
The dangers of "vibe coding" and rushing to generate code with AI without proper planning. Organizations should use AI to surface risks and challenge assumptions early, not just to code faster. Design and accessibility practitioners need to be included from the start.

2. "Post Engagement Used to Bother Me" by Charlie Triplett
Technical accessibility posts get more engagement than organizational process discussions. The industry needs to focus on sustainable organizational change rather than just technical perfection. Mature programs are measured by how they handle recurring accessibility issues.

3. "Totally Listening: Using a Total Communication Approach" by Molly Ziegler and Christina Lompado
Introduction to AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) tools and the importance of asking people how they prefer to communicate. Listening doesn't always mean hearing - effective communication requires respect and understanding of individual preferences.

Additional Highlights
• Student asked Colorado Governor about employment for neurodiverse young adults
• Boulder Startup Week featuring accessibility talks
• Accessibility discussions appearing in mainstream conferences outside the industry

In this episode, Mark and Justin discuss three main topics:

1. Title II Extension: They discuss the recent extension of the Title II ADA compliance deadlines. Organizations with 50,000+ people now have until April 26, 2027 (extended by a year), while smaller organizations have until 2028. They express disappointment about this last-minute extension but note that it could give organizations time to implement more sustainable accessibility practices rather than rushing to meet deadlines.

2. EN 301 549: Accessibility Standard: They review an article by Callum McMenamin about how the EN 301 549 accessibility standard itself isn't accessible. The standard is published as a PDF with complex language and formatting that creates cognitive barriers. They discuss the irony of accessibility standards being inaccessible and potential solutions, including HTML versions that Canada has implemented.

3. Tribute to James Edwards: The hosts pay homage to James Edwards (also known as "Brother Cake"), a respected accessibility expert who recently passed away. They discuss his article "The Road to Accessible Drag and Drop" and his talent for breaking down complex technical subjects into practical, understandable guidance.

The episode includes personal stories about James Edwards and reflections on his contributions to the accessibility community.