Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast
Join Chad Chelius and Dax Castro (CHAX) as they chat about important document accessibility topics, trends and maybe even complain a little now and again.
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Accessible Graphic Novels
08/18/2026
Accessible Graphic Novels
How do you make a highly visual graphic novel accessible without flattening the story into a series of disconnected image descriptions? In this episode of Chax Chat, Chad and Dax explore the unique accessibility challenges created by panels, speech balloons, visual action, pacing, suspense, and complex reading order. They present a seven-step approach for preserving the experience, including understanding the story, establishing reading order, identifying visual hierarchy, determining information dependencies, describing rather than interpreting, prioritizing meaningful details, and testing the final reader experience. The result is an accessibility strategy that treats a graphic novel as a story to be experienced, not simply a collection of images requiring alternate text. Every other week, we unravel accessibility to help you create documents that are more inclusive, compliant, and practical for real users.
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Complex Infographics: A Tactical Approach
08/04/2026
Complex Infographics: A Tactical Approach
Complex infographics can be one of the most challenging accessibility problems to solve. In this episode, Chad and Dax break down a practical framework for evaluating, designing, and remediating complex visual content. From water cycle diagrams and flowcharts to data-rich visualizations, they explore how to determine the intended user experience, choose the right delivery method, and decide when alt text, live text, body copy, or alternative formats are the best solution. They also discuss common mistakes, the role of AI in creating descriptions, and why accessibility decisions should happen during the design phase—not after the document is finished. Whether you're a designer, accessibility specialist, or document creator, this episode provides actionable strategies for making complex information more understandable and accessible for everyone.
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TOCs vs. Bookmarks: Which Serves Users Better?
07/21/2026
TOCs vs. Bookmarks: Which Serves Users Better?
In this episode, Chad and Dax explore one of the most overlooked accessibility features in document design: the table of contents. They discuss why a properly built TOC often provides a better user experience than bookmarks, how screen reader users interact with document navigation, and why automated TOCs are worth the effort. We dive into common objections to using table of contents features, practical workflows for Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Word, techniques for handling custom TOC styling, and solutions for one of the most common accessibility problems: dot leaders. If you've ever wondered whether a table of contents is really necessary, or struggled to create one that meets both design and accessibility requirements, this episode is packed with practical guidance and real-world remediation strategies.
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If You Are Not Listening, You Are Not Finished
07/07/2026
If You Are Not Listening, You Are Not Finished
You're always surprised at how many people who are document remediation specialists have never listened to their document using assistive technology. Passing an accessibility checker does not guarantee a good user experience. In this episode, Chad and Dax break down the real-world issues that only show up when you actually test your documents with assistive technology. From acronyms and ligatures to bullets, tables, links, company names, and financial data, they explain why screen reader testing reveals problems that automated tools completely miss. If you create accessible PDFs, reports, proposals, or digital documents, this episode will change the way you think about testing. Plus, they share a downloadable handout packed with the top reasons you should be testing your documents with assistive technology. The handout for this podcast can be found .
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The Hidden Cost of PDF Navigation
06/23/2026
The Hidden Cost of PDF Navigation
PDF navigation menus might seem helpful, but are they actually creating barriers for assistive technology users? In this episode, Chad and Dax unpack the hidden accessibility challenges caused by page navigation in PDFs, including “Back to TOC” buttons, navigation bars, bookmarks, and linked page controls. They explain why something that feels intuitive for sighted users can become frustrating and disruptive for screen reader users, and share practical strategies for making navigation more usable without sacrificing accessibility. If you create PDFs, reports, proposals, or digital publications, this conversation will change the way you think about document navigation.
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Understanding PDF Forms and the User Experience
06/09/2026
Understanding PDF Forms and the User Experience
If you've ever struggled to understand why PDF forms are inaccessible, you need to listen to this episode! Chad and Dax dive deep into one of the most frustrating areas of document accessibility: PDF forms. From tooltip confusion and form field tagging to radio buttons, checkboxes, tables, and AEM Forms, they unpack why forms continue to create accessibility barriers for users of assistive technology. They also explore the importance of user experience over simply “passing a checker,” discuss the differences between browse mode and forms mode in screen readers, and share how their new tool, Form IQ, is helping automate some of the most painful remediation tasks in Acrobat. If your organization creates forms for HR, healthcare, insurance, government, or finance, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.
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Accessible Canva: Progress over Perfection
05/26/2026
Accessible Canva: Progress over Perfection
For years, Canva has been one of the most widely used tools and one of the most challenging when it comes to accessibility, so when we started hearing that improvements had been made, we were skeptical. Then we opened a file. In this episode, we take a first look at Canva’s latest accessibility updates and walk through what’s actually changed. From real-time color contrast feedback to improved tagging and built-in accessibility checks, there are some genuinely meaningful steps forward. But it’s not perfect. We also dig into where things still fall short, including reading order challenges and list behavior that can impact screen reader users, because accessibility isn’t about passing a checker, it’s about creating an experience that actually works. This episode isn’t about calling Canva out, it’s about calling progress what it is. When a company listens, improves, and starts moving in the right direction, that matters, and it raises the bar for everyone else. If you’ve ever struggled to balance real-world tools with accessibility expectations, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear.
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When Do You Actually Need Table Cell IDs?
05/12/2026
When Do You Actually Need Table Cell IDs?
In this episode of Chax Chat, Chad and Dax tackle one of the most complex and misunderstood topics in document accessibility: table cell IDs. While most people understand basic table structure, things quickly break down when you introduce merged cells, multiple header levels, and real-world design patterns. They walk through how tables are supposed to work, why scope alone isn’t always enough, and where things start to fail for assistive technology. From explaining how screen readers interpret parent and child relationships within tables to sharing practical strategies for fixing complex structures, this episode dives deep into both the “why” and the “how.” Whether you're working in Word, InDesign, or remediating directly in Acrobat, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of when cell IDs are necessary and how to implement them efficiently without spending hours doing it manually.
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Bullet Structure Revealed
04/28/2026
Bullet Structure Revealed
In this episode of Chax Chat, Chad and Dax dig into a deceptively simple topic that has a big impact on accessibility: lists. While bullets and numbers may seem like basic formatting choices, the way they are structured behind the scenes can dramatically change how assistive technology interprets and reads content. They break down the anatomy of a properly tagged list in a PDF and explain why those tags matter more than most people realize. From real-world examples of how screen readers behave when list structures are incorrect to surprising quirks like how certain bullet styles are announced, this episode highlights the gap between visual design and actual usability. Whether you’re creating documents in Word, InDesign, or remediating in Acrobat, you’ll walk away with practical insights to help ensure your lists aren’t just formatted correctly - but truly accessible.
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What the ADA Title II Extension Really Means
04/20/2026
What the ADA Title II Extension Really Means
Just days after we unpacked the upcoming ADA Title II deadline, everything changed. In this special episode, legal expert Judith Risch returns for her second appearance this week to walk through the Department of Justice’s one-year extension, and what it signals now that the update is official. Together, we move beyond the headline to explore what’s driving the change, what may come next, and what organizations should actually be paying attention to right now. With decades of experience in digital accessibility and civil rights law, Judith brings clarity to a moment that’s easy to misinterpret. While the timeline has changed, the expectations haven’t, and neither has the need to make meaningful progress. This episode is a reset: a chance to refocus, get aligned, and use this time intentionally.
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The Upcoming ADA Deadline with Legal Expert Judith Risch
04/15/2026
The Upcoming ADA Deadline with Legal Expert Judith Risch
With the ADA Title II digital accessibility deadline just days away, we’re joined by legal expert Judith Risch to break down what it really means—and what you should be doing right now. Drawing on over 20 years of experience at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, Judy cuts through the noise on compliance, risk, and common misconceptions. From who Title II applies to, to why accessibility impacts far more organizations than expected, this episode delivers practical, real-world insight. Most importantly, we shift the conversation from panic to progress. You don’t need perfection—but you do need a plan.
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The Hidden Trouble with Tables
03/31/2026
The Hidden Trouble with Tables
In this episode of Chax Chat, Chad and Dax tackle one of the most misunderstood areas of document accessibility: tables. While they may seem simple to build, the real challenge is designing them in a way that works for assistive technology. We break down how screen readers navigate tables, why column and row headers matter, and how small design decisions can dramatically impact the user experience. From common pitfalls like overcomplicated layouts and unclear headers to practical tips you can apply immediately, this episode is packed with real-world insight. Whether you create, design, or remediate documents, you’ll walk away with a clearer approach to building tables that are not just accessible, but truly usable.
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The One Remediation Tool You Should Have...
03/17/2026
The One Remediation Tool You Should Have...
What’s the best tool for making PDFs accessible? It’s the question we get constantly, and the honest answer might surprise you. There isn’t one. In this episode of Chax Chat, Chad and Dax break down how the “best” accessibility tool depends entirely on your starting point. Are you working in Word, InDesign, PowerPoint, Google Docs, or Canva? Do you have a tagged PDF, an untagged PDF, or a scanned document? Each scenario changes the strategy. We discuss why “born accessible” is always better than heavy remediation, when Adobe’s auto-tagging can actually help, why tools like MadeToTag and Access Word continue to be game changers, and how platforms like CommonLook, PDFix, PREP, and Grackle fit into the workflow. We also talk about handling scanned PDFs, the realities of screen reader testing, and why bookmarks aren’t the navigation solution many people think they are. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to choose the right accessibility tool, this episode will help you stop chasing a magic solution and start making smarter decisions based on context. Every other week, we unravel accessibility so you can build more inclusive, compliant, and practical documents. Screen Readers NVDA JAWS Apple Voice Over Color Checkers TPGi Color Contrast Analyzer WebAIM Color Contrast Checker 8-Shapes Contrast Grid Microsoft Color Simulations Sim Daltonism Daltonizer Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop Color.Adobe Acrobat Plugins CommonLook PDF Callas PDFgoHTML MS Word Plugins CommonLook Office axesWord Google Extension Grackle Docs InDesign Plugins MadeToTag PDF Remidiators Adobe Acrobat Pro DC Adobe Bridge axesPDF Abby Fine Reader PDFix Responsive Table Generator Tool Grackle PDF Vengage PREP (Continual Engine) PDF Checker PAC Checker 2026 CommonLook Validator InDesign Scripts Keith Gilbert InDesign Scripts Virtualization for Mac Parallels Desktop Windows OS Karabiner-Elements
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Microsoft’s MathML Win and Adobe’s AI Alt Text Experiment
03/03/2026
Microsoft’s MathML Win and Adobe’s AI Alt Text Experiment
In this episode of ChaxChat, Dax Castro and Chad Chelius unpack two very different approaches to accessibility innovation. First, they dive into Microsoft’s implementation of MathML in Word and PowerPoint and why it represents a genuine win for accessible math. By carrying MathML through to the PDF export with proper tagging and screen reader support, Microsoft demonstrates what it looks like when accessibility is built into the workflow rather than patched on later. They then turn to Adobe InDesign’s new AI-generated alt text feature and explore where it helps, where it falls short, and why turning it on by default raises important concerns. The conversation highlights the difference between proven accessibility solutions and experimental AI features, emphasizing the need for human oversight, informed decision-making, and realistic expectations as tools continue to evolve.
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Accessible Forms: PDF or Web?
02/17/2026
Accessible Forms: PDF or Web?
Accessible forms are more than a technical checklist. They require smart decisions about usability, workflow, and long-term maintenance. In this episode of Chax Chat, Dax Castro and Chad Chelius are joined by Walt Zielinski, a web developer with extensive experience building accessible form experiences. The conversation focuses on a key question: when should you use a web form versus a PDF form? Together, they explore real-world considerations like data collection, offline access, cost, maintenance, and who is responsible for supporting the form over time. They also cover common accessibility issues that frequently get overlooked, including error identification, focus order, color reliance, target size, and the correct use of checkboxes and radio buttons. This episode offers practical guidance for designers, developers, and document professionals who want forms that actually work for everyone.
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What 2025 Taught Us About Accessibility - and What Comes Next
02/03/2026
What 2025 Taught Us About Accessibility - and What Comes Next
In this episode, Dax Castro and Chad Chelius take a thoughtful look back at the accessibility lessons that defined 2025 and share what they are most excited about heading into 2026, drawing directly from real client work, remediation challenges, and conference conversations. They unpack why tables and forms continue to be the most persistent pain points for document accessibility, discuss hard-earned wins from complex remediation projects, and reflect on where current tools still fall short. The conversation also explores realistic expectations for AI in accessibility, emerging assistive technologies that show genuine promise, and the conferences and community spaces shaping the year ahead. It is an honest, practical discussion grounded in experience, aimed at helping accessibility professionals and content creators learn from the past while preparing for what comes next.
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The Real Cost of Accessibility: Tools, Time, and ROI
01/20/2026
The Real Cost of Accessibility: Tools, Time, and ROI
In this episode Dax Castro and Chad Chelius break down the real-world value of accessibility tools. From essential free tools like NVDA and color contrast analyzers to powerful paid solutions like CommonLook, Access PDF, PDFix, and more, they discuss what actually saves time, what improves quality, and what’s worth the investment. If you’re creating or remediating accessible documents and wondering whether paid tools are justified, this conversation offers practical insights, honest tradeoffs, and ROI-driven advice grounded in everyday accessibility work. You can find the Accessibility Tools Handout here: https://app.box.com/s/vhzt4r9rsqsucoz74ifxh2a3io1twaa2
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From Fixing to Planning: Accessible Workflow Essentials
01/06/2026
From Fixing to Planning: Accessible Workflow Essentials
Join Dax Castro and senior trainer Rob Underwood as they unpack how smarter file management and planning can transform your accessibility projects. They dig into practical strategies for setting up metadata, creating consistent heading structures, choosing and managing accessible color palettes with CC Libraries, and planning alternate formats for charts and tables before you ever hit export to PDF. Along the way, they tackle the realities of inherited files, layout tables, and multi-person workflows, showing how clear roles and reusable systems can save hours of remediation time while creating a better experience for everyone. Note: For Rob's layer shortcut, he meant to say bring to front, not send to back.
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Accessible Color Without Killing Your Design
12/23/2025
Accessible Color Without Killing Your Design
Does accessibility really mean ugly charts, boring colors, and pattern fills everywhere? In this episode, Chad Chelius and Dax Castro tackle accessible color head-on: what color contrast actually means, when it applies (and when it doesn’t), and how to handle charts, graphs, heat maps, and logos without trashing your brand. They break down the key WCAG contrast ratios, talk about the logo exemption, and share practical strategies like smarter legends, labels, and selective use of patterns instead of “pattern fill everything.” Learn how building an accessible brand palette up front can save hours of rework, and how thoughtful body text and alt text work together for complex graphics. If you’ve ever been told “accessibility makes our visuals look terrible,” this episode will help you push back with solid reasoning and better design.
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Are You Fixing the Wrong Thing?
12/09/2025
Are You Fixing the Wrong Thing?
Are you spending hours “fixing” things in a PDF that your screen reader users will never notice? In this episode Chad Chelius and Dax Castro ask a hard question: Are you fixing the wrong thing? We pop open the tags tree and talk about what really affects user experience and what is just busywork. From span tags and container tags that never get voiced, to lists that read like run-on paragraphs, to title tags vs H1s, role maps, and tables without proper scope, we walk through where your time actually matters. If you have ever deleted 200 span tags by hand, fought with a list that “looks fine,” or wrestled with complex tables in Acrobat, CommonLook, or axesPDF, this episode will help you rethink your workflow and prioritize the fixes that make a real difference for assistive technology users.
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Accessible and Amazing! An Author's Journey.
11/25/2025
Accessible and Amazing! An Author's Journey.
When a PR and communications pro falls in love with accessibility, what happens next? In this episode of the Chax Chat Podcast, Chad Chelius and Dax Castro sit down with author and educator Matisse Hamel-Nelis to talk about her new book, Accessible Communications: Create Impact, Avoid Missteps and Build Trust, and the journey that brought her there, plus an honest look at what it’s like to build an accessibility-focused career, launch a book and microsite, and teach the next generation of marketers and PR pros. If you create content in any form and want it to reach more people, build trust, and avoid avoidable missteps, this conversation will give you both encouragement and concrete ways to make your communications accessible and amazing.
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Accessible Audio Description
11/11/2025
Accessible Audio Description
This episode of Chax Chat features guest Roy Samuelson, a renowned audio description performer and consultant, who discusses the craft and impact of audio description in making video content accessible to blind and visually impaired audiences. The conversation covers the nuances of producing effective audio descriptions, the artistic and technical roles involved, and practical guidance for organizations looking to implement audio description in their media. Chad, Dax and Roy also emphasize the broader benefits of accessible content, drawing parallels between audio description and other forms of accessibility. they also share actionable tips for including blind professionals in the process and leveraging new features on platforms like YouTube for inclusive content delivery. Link for Disney Frozen Audio Description Sample - Link to Roy's blog post - Roy's version of IMDB for AD - Link to TheADNA.org - The link for the blog article we referenced when discussing how blind people can work as Audio Description actors.
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Tag, You’re It: Google Docs Joins the Accessibility Game
10/28/2025
Tag, You’re It: Google Docs Joins the Accessibility Game
Inspired by Michael Hans' recent blog post, 'Google Docs Adds PDF Accessibility Tagging', Chad and Dax are exploring recent updates to Google Docs' PDF export capabilities. They focus on the addition of accessibility tags and the implications for document structure and screen reader usability. Chad and Dax discuss their own testing results, highlight both improvements and ongoing challenges with nested lists and table headers, and emphasize the importance of proper content structure for users with disabilities, including those with cognitive impairments. The conversation also covers best practices for alt text, link descriptions, and tools like Grackle Docs that enhance Google Docs’ accessibility for PDF remediation. The link to the blog post: Google Docs Adds PDF Accessibility Tagging https://michaelhans.com/eclecticism/2025/08/28/google-docs-adds-pdf-accessibility-tagging/
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Guest: Microsoft - Accessibility for Word and PPT
10/14/2025
Guest: Microsoft - Accessibility for Word and PPT
Chad Chelius and Dax Castro welcome Microsoft’s Shireen Salma and Ylva Kravis to unpack new accessibility features in Word and PowerPoint, including the cross‑platform Reading Order pane, smarter AI‑generated alt text with approval workflows, and improved handling of floating images via anchors in Word. The discussion dives into table accessibility (layout tables, header detection, scope, merged cells), export-to-PDF best practices, and practical tips like grouping behavior, setting slide titles, and reviewing alt text in bulk with Accessibility Assistant.
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What makes a Table Accessible?
09/30/2025
What makes a Table Accessible?
Ever wondered why making tables accessible is so tricky? Or why it matters at all? In this lively episode of Chax Chat, Chad Chelius and Dax Castro break down the nuts and bolts of accessible tables with practical tips that draw on their decades of hands-on experience. From the essential differences between visual and programmatic accessibility, to real-world table fails (and how to fix them!), they share their secrets to creating documents that truly work for everyone. You’ll learn why a table title isn’t just for looks, how to pick the right headers, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how screen readers navigate data. Whether you’re wrangling rows in Word, untangling PDFs, or just trying to help your team pass accessibility audits, this episode is packed with actionable advice and quick wins. Discover how the smallest details—like summary tags, color choices, and even WHERE you put your footnotes—can make a world of difference in digital accessibility. Join Chad and Dax for a deep dive that will have you rethinking the tables in all your digital projects!
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Why Your Document Passed the Checker… but Still Fails Your Users
09/16/2025
Why Your Document Passed the Checker… but Still Fails Your Users
Ever wondered why your document gets a thumbs-up from automated checkers, but still trips up real users? Do you find yourself wishing that technical compliance could actually intersect with real-world user experience? Join Chad and Dax as they dive into relatable stories, offer hands-on tips for remediation, and reveal the hidden flaws that checkers just can’t spot. Whether it's tag structure confusion, alt text tricks, or time-saving strategies, this conversation will help anyone move from “pass the checker” to “create for people.” Plus, get the inside scoop on their upcoming sessions and swag at Adobe Max—be sure to stop by their booth for stickers, laughs, and expert advice! Don’t miss this essential episode for anyone serious about making accessibility work in the real world.
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The Most Misunderstood Accessibility Features in Acrobat
09/02/2025
The Most Misunderstood Accessibility Features in Acrobat
Think you know Adobe Acrobat? Think again! Chad and Dax pull back the curtain on the most misunderstood Acrobat features, busting myths about tag trees, reading order, and common mistakes that trip up even seasoned pros. Get practical, real-world advice on cleaning up your tags, using the right tools (and avoiding the wrong ones), and ensuring your PDFs are truly accessible. Whether you’re a document novice or a seasoned remediator, these rapid-fire tips will save you time, headaches, and frustration.
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The Pleading Problem: Line Numbers and Screen Readers
08/19/2025
The Pleading Problem: Line Numbers and Screen Readers
A listener recently asked: How do you make legal documents with line numbers accessible? And Dax and Chad have answers! They dive into this niche but critical topic, breaking down the challenges of line-numbered pleadings and outlining practical strategies for remediators and document creators. From table-based solutions and tag structure tips to NVDA shortcuts and source file considerations, this episode is packed with real-world guidance to help you build accessible legal documents from the start. Interested in a resource mentioned in this episode? Send us an email at solutions@chaxtc.com and we’ll get it right to you!Subscribe/Follow us on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts to make sure you never miss an episode.
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Step-By-Step Screen Reader Testing with NVDA and JAWS
08/05/2025
Step-By-Step Screen Reader Testing with NVDA and JAWS
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Born Accessible: Why Inclusive Design Starts Before You Export
07/21/2025
Born Accessible: Why Inclusive Design Starts Before You Export
Accessibility isn’t the cherry on top, it should be baked in to your designs from the start! In this episode, Dax and Chad break down common design pitfalls and explain how to avoid them! From poor color contrast and tiny fonts to confusing layouts and unlabeled charts, they dive into the most common mistakes. Using plenty of real-world stories, this episode shows the value of considering accessibility from the beginning. Interested in a resource mentioned in this episode? Send us an email at solutions@chaxtc.com and we’ll get it right to you!
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