Accessibility News - August

Microsoft Tests New Accessibility Features for Windows 11

Microsoft is testing several new accessibility features for Windows 11, with updates targeting users of braille displays, voice access, screen magnification and visual display customisation. The features are currently being trialled through the Windows Insider Program and have not yet been released generally.

Among the most significant changes is expanded support for refreshable braille displays in Windows Narrator. Compatible displays can be connected via USB without requiring additional setup, while Bluetooth devices can be paired through Windows settings. HID braille displays can also be used during the initial Windows setup process, potentially allowing people who are deafblind to independently set up a Windows device from the first screen.

Microsoft is also testing a new Screen Tint accessibility setting designed for people who experience eye fatigue or light sensitivity. Users can choose from six preset colours or select a custom colour and adjust the intensity of the tint across the display. 

Changes to Magnifier will also remove touch panning bars by default to provide a less cluttered magnified view, while still allowing users to enable them if preferred.

Voice Access is also receiving a new Voice Isolation option intended to improve speech recognition when other people are speaking or there is background noise. The feature can distinguish the user's voice from surrounding sounds following a short voice setup process, with processing performed locally on the device. 

There's no news yet as to when these changes will be rolled out.

You can read full details via an article on Yahoo! Tech.

Updates to WCAG Evaluation Methodology

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has released WCAG Evaluation Methodology (WCAG-EM) 2.0, providing an updated framework for evaluating how well websites and other digital products conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2. The release updates the first version of WCAG-EM, which was published in 2014.

WCAG-EM 2.0 provides a practical, step-by-step methodology for planning and carrying out accessibility evaluations. The technology-agnostic guidance, to fully reflect the types of digital products in use.

The documentation covers key stages including defining the scope of an evaluation, exploring and understanding the product or service being assessed, selecting a representative sample and conducting the accessibility review.

The methodology is intended to provide a consistent framework for evaluating WCAG conformance without prescribing a particular testing tool or technology. It can be used for both organisational self-assessments and independent third-party evaluations, making it relevant to accessibility professionals, auditors and organisations responsible for assessing the accessibility of digital products and services.

The updated methodology provides an important reference for organisations looking to establish a structured and repeatable approach to accessibility evaluation, particularly where testing an entire digital product may not be practical and representative sampling is required.

You can read the full WCAG-EM 2.0 documentation on the W3C website.