Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast

31:54

What's New in Accessibility

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/09/29

Accessibility software does not always move quickly, but several recent updates are changing how accessible documents are created, remediated, and tested. In this episode of Chax Chat, Chad and Dax break down the advances that are actually worth knowing about. They cover accessible PDF forms exported from Word, improved table headers and scope in InDesign, MathML support, PowerPoint reading-order and heading tools, Canva's accessible PDF workflow, new PAC checker tabs, browser-based auto-tagging,

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37:47

Nested Tags to Watch Out For

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/09/15

What happens when a PDF tag is technically in the right place, but a screen reader never voices it? In this episode of Chax Chat, Chad and Dax dig into nested tags and the places where the standard, accessibility checkers, and real-world assistive technology do not always agree. They explore captions nested inside figures and tables, QR codes that combine figures and links, table summaries, and multilevel lists. Along the way, they explain why the parent tag often wins, when moving a caption outside

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30:13

Instantly Improve InDesign Accessibility

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/09/01

Can one InDesign plugin turn hours of PDF remediation into a few minutes of source-document work? In this episode of Chax Chat, Chad and Dax walk through MadeToTag and explain why they consider it essential for creating accessible PDFs from Adobe InDesign. They explore its seven-task workflow, including export-tag mapping, Articles panel review, alternate text management, document metadata, language settings, accessible tables, and PDF export. They also share practical shortcuts, common mistakes,

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32:36

Accessible Graphic Novels

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/08/18

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

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41:41

Complex Infographics: A Tactical Approach

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/08/04

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

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38:59

TOCs vs. Bookmarks: Which Serves Users Better?

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/07/21

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

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48:22

If You Are Not Listening, You Are Not Finished

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/07/07

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

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36:04

The Hidden Cost of PDF Navigation

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/06/23

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

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44:01

Understanding PDF Forms and the User Experience

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/06/09

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

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31:43

Accessible Canva: Progress over Perfection

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/05/26

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

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38:22

When Do You Actually Need Table Cell IDs?

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/05/12

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

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26:38

Bullet Structure Revealed

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/04/28

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

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29:04

What the ADA Title II Extension Really Means

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/04/20

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

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54:47

The Upcoming ADA Deadline with Legal Expert Judith Risch

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/04/15

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

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41:11

The Hidden Trouble with Tables

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/03/31

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

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46:27

The One Remediation Tool You Should Have...

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/03/17

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

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33:00

Microsoft's MathML Win and Adobe's AI Alt Text...

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/03/03

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

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38:02

Accessible Forms: PDF or Web?

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/02/17

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,

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32:33

What 2025 Taught Us About Accessibility - and What...

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/02/03

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

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51:27

The Real Cost of Accessibility: Tools, Time, and ROI

Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast ·

2026/01/20

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

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