Read

I agree with this entire thread, especially the action part.

Don’t get me wrong. Awareness is great. But we’ve been doing awareness now for I don’t know how many years or even decades, and it just seems to me that for every step forward we take, there are six more going backwards.

If awareness doesn’t become actuion, it’s just feel-good talk. And I’m starting to wonder if all the talk being generated around accessibility isn’t getting to a point where we’re seeing diminishing returns.

Congrats and thanks to everyone who helped ship 5.6, whether or not your name is on the credits page. John @whiskeydragon1 and I are looking forward to contributing to WordPress 5.7.

Introduction

This is the first in a series of tutorials on using WordPress’s block editor with a keyboard. We’re assuming that you’re using a screen reader as well, but we’ve also tried to include keyboard navigation tips for times when a screen reader is not present.

Inserrting a new block

When starting a new page or post, a dialog appears welcoming you to the block editor. Move to the “close this dialog button” and press either spacebar or enter to dismiss this welcome dialog.

From the blocks toolbar choose to add a new block, by either pressing the spacebar or enter key on the appropriate button. A place holder for a new block is inserted into the content area which prompts the user to start typing or press the slash (/) key to choose a block type.

Choosing the heading block

With focus on the block place holder, press the slash (/) key to choose a block. A list appears with 81 items in which to choose the option you need. The number of items in this list may change, however, at the time this was being documented only 81 items were available in WordPress 5.5.1.

Use your up and down arrow keys to navigate this list until you get to the heading item and then press the enter key. Do not attempt to use first letter navigation in this list as it does not work, only the arrow keys.

Changing your block layout

As you continue to compose your page or post, the blocks are enumerated 1 of 10, 2 of 10, and so on.

To move your block up or down in the hierarchy, first make sure you’re focused on the block and then press Alt + F10 to bring up the block editing menu.

Use your right and left arrow keys to navigate this menu. As you press the right arrow keys, the first two (2) options on this menu bar is the buttons to move either up or down one (1) block at a time. Choose the appropriate button, and press the spacebar or enter key to maneuver the block into the position of the hierarchy you desire.

Choosing your heading level

By default when a heading block is inserted into the content area it is automatically designated . as a heading level two (2) element.

To change the heading level, first make sure to be focused on the block and press Alt + F10 to bring up the menu bar, and right arrow to the button for heading level.

Press your spacebar on this button. A list of buttons appears for each heading level, to navigate this list, however, you will need to use the left and right arrow keys to choose the heading level you desire.

Once you have the heading level, press either your spacebar or enter key to confirm your choice.

Inserting text into the heading block

To insert text into the heading block, just simply start typing if you have your focus on this block. Screen reader users will need to make sure that their screen reader of choice is in either forms mode or editing mode.

Editing text in the heading block

Editing text in the heading block can be a little tricky at first with a keyboard, however, it can be done with practice.

Make sure you have the heading block focused, then use your arrow keys to navigate to the text you wish to edit. Use your keyboard commands for selecting text and make your modification.

Read Proposed Online Accessibility Act in US Congress is Bad for Digital Inclusion by Lainey Feingold

This is an article about a proposed change to the ADA in the United States. Two members of Congress have introduced a bill to limit the ADA and how it
applies to technology. The ADA already applies to websites and mobile apps. Disabled people can now file a lawsuit to make sure they can use websites and
apps. The new law would not allow a private lawsuit until a disabled person first went to the Department of Justice. This would take time and delay fixing
a website. Lawsuits have been important to making the ADA work for 30 years. It is not fair to limit disabled people’s civil rights.
a name plate reading “Legislation” in front of a legal gavel
On October 1, 2020 a “bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act” was introduced in the United States House of Representatives. Titled the “Online
Accessibility Act,” the opening paragraph might sound appealing to advocates for digital inclusion. A deeper look reveals dangerous legislation for those
who care about civil rights of disabled people in the digital age.

I hope this doesn’t become law, but hope is not a strategy, so I’ll be paying attention to the progress of this bill and calling my representative if it starts to get some legs.
John @whiskeydragon1 and I are spending our Saturday enjoying #WCPhilly. Loving all the virtual WordCamps and other events.