Stef Walter
@stephaniewalter.bsky.social
UX Researcher & Designer, Empathy Peddler, Figma Prisoner, Button Mover. Don't take me too seriously.
She/Her 🌈
https://stephaniewalter.design/ http://neurospicy.agency/
She/Her 🌈
https://stephaniewalter.design/ http://neurospicy.agency/
10 examples of how accessibility innovations like the typewriter, audiobooks, the typewriter, text-to-speech, online shopping, and touchscreens began as solutions for disabled people and evolved into mainstream products that benefit everyone.
Accessibility is the origin of human-centered design
Discover 10 human-centered innovations that started with real people’s needs and evolved into UX principles that is shaping today’s most inclusive products.
makeitfable.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:31 PM
10 examples of how accessibility innovations like the typewriter, audiobooks, the typewriter, text-to-speech, online shopping, and touchscreens began as solutions for disabled people and evolved into mainstream products that benefit everyone.
My curated weekly newsletter is out.
This week: how the same UI is perceived differently for disabled users, when sound improves UX, choosing the right list controls, plus data-viz inspiration and accessibility patterns.
👉🏻 stephaniewalter.design/blog/pixels-...
This week: how the same UI is perceived differently for disabled users, when sound improves UX, choosing the right list controls, plus data-viz inspiration and accessibility patterns.
👉🏻 stephaniewalter.design/blog/pixels-...
February 9, 2026 at 8:30 AM
My curated weekly newsletter is out.
This week: how the same UI is perceived differently for disabled users, when sound improves UX, choosing the right list controls, plus data-viz inspiration and accessibility patterns.
👉🏻 stephaniewalter.design/blog/pixels-...
This week: how the same UI is perceived differently for disabled users, when sound improves UX, choosing the right list controls, plus data-viz inspiration and accessibility patterns.
👉🏻 stephaniewalter.design/blog/pixels-...
A Sunday of dopamine decor: I put some of the little gems I collected, stickers, prints, postcards into 2 giant frames to put in the office.
Also, I made ramen with chicken broth that simmered for hours in spices and wine.
Also, I made ramen with chicken broth that simmered for hours in spices and wine.
February 8, 2026 at 8:33 PM
A Sunday of dopamine decor: I put some of the little gems I collected, stickers, prints, postcards into 2 giant frames to put in the office.
Also, I made ramen with chicken broth that simmered for hours in spices and wine.
Also, I made ramen with chicken broth that simmered for hours in spices and wine.
I gymrated too close to the sun and now I have ads for reformers. Aaaahhhh. I just wanted a pilates resistance band exercise to strengthen my back, what happened? Is this how they get you?
February 8, 2026 at 5:31 PM
I gymrated too close to the sun and now I have ads for reformers. Aaaahhhh. I just wanted a pilates resistance band exercise to strengthen my back, what happened? Is this how they get you?
Very niche question: anyone using Firefox and LanguageTool extension, noticed many freeze since last update? My Firefox uses 15GB of memory when the extension is enabled, vs 2.5GB when it's not. It also freezes when I write things (which makes sense since the extension is a proof reader tool)
February 8, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Very niche question: anyone using Firefox and LanguageTool extension, noticed many freeze since last update? My Firefox uses 15GB of memory when the extension is enabled, vs 2.5GB when it's not. It also freezes when I write things (which makes sense since the extension is a proof reader tool)
So, France wants to send a letter to 29 years old, to remind them about how their biological clock can affect fertility.
Meanwhile, endometriosis, which is a disease that touches 1/10 person with a uterus and usually has a strong negative effect on fertility, is barely studied?
Yeah, love the irony
Meanwhile, endometriosis, which is a disease that touches 1/10 person with a uterus and usually has a strong negative effect on fertility, is barely studied?
Yeah, love the irony
February 7, 2026 at 4:37 PM
So, France wants to send a letter to 29 years old, to remind them about how their biological clock can affect fertility.
Meanwhile, endometriosis, which is a disease that touches 1/10 person with a uterus and usually has a strong negative effect on fertility, is barely studied?
Yeah, love the irony
Meanwhile, endometriosis, which is a disease that touches 1/10 person with a uterus and usually has a strong negative effect on fertility, is barely studied?
Yeah, love the irony
Rah I wish I was the kind of person who can quote a 2010 study, and call it a day.
But my brain goes: it's been, 16 years ago, are those numbers still relevant?
So, anyone knows of some updated studies on cost of fixing defects, in design, dev, implementation, testing, post release?
But my brain goes: it's been, 16 years ago, are those numbers still relevant?
So, anyone knows of some updated studies on cost of fixing defects, in design, dev, implementation, testing, post release?
February 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Rah I wish I was the kind of person who can quote a 2010 study, and call it a day.
But my brain goes: it's been, 16 years ago, are those numbers still relevant?
So, anyone knows of some updated studies on cost of fixing defects, in design, dev, implementation, testing, post release?
But my brain goes: it's been, 16 years ago, are those numbers still relevant?
So, anyone knows of some updated studies on cost of fixing defects, in design, dev, implementation, testing, post release?
Reposted by Stef Walter
The inaugural edition of The CSS Selection is out! Super interesting look into how the top 100k sites use CSS.
I very happily sponsored Barts work on this, go check it out!
I very happily sponsored Barts work on this, go check it out!
Announcing The CSS Selection!
📰 www.projectwallace.com/the-css-sele...
📚 100,000 websites
⏱️ 100+ metrics
🔖 7 chapters
The biggest deep-dive ever into real-world use of CSS across the globe. Dive in and find out some hidden gems. Also, see how much of 'the new CSS' is actually used!
📰 www.projectwallace.com/the-css-sele...
📚 100,000 websites
⏱️ 100+ metrics
🔖 7 chapters
The biggest deep-dive ever into real-world use of CSS across the globe. Dive in and find out some hidden gems. Also, see how much of 'the new CSS' is actually used!
The CSS Selection - 2026 Edition - Project Wallace
The CSS Selection shows real-world CSS usage from over 100,000 websites and looks at the most important metrics.
www.projectwallace.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:37 AM
The inaugural edition of The CSS Selection is out! Super interesting look into how the top 100k sites use CSS.
I very happily sponsored Barts work on this, go check it out!
I very happily sponsored Barts work on this, go check it out!
"Create something before deciding on a solution. If people attempt to start projects with a solution, define the problem and scope first. Agree on working on the problem without committing to the solution."
How I do web design | Koos Looijesteijn
Thirty short, practical lessons
www.kooslooijesteijn.net
February 6, 2026 at 8:30 AM
"Create something before deciding on a solution. If people attempt to start projects with a solution, define the problem and scope first. Agree on working on the problem without committing to the solution."
We often call “dropdown” any list of vertical options. But there are different options on how to build those. Vitaly Friedman gives great form UX tips by to help you understand the difference, and when to use which. The goal is really to be consistent when talking with the people on your project.
Combobox vs. Multiselect vs. Listbox: How To Choose The Right One — Smashing Magazine
Combobox vs. Multi-Select vs. Listbox vs. Dual Listbox? How they are different, what purpose they serve, and how to choose the right one. Brought to you by Design Patterns For AI Interfaces, **friendly video courses on UX** and design patterns by Vitaly.
www.smashingmagazine.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:03 PM
We often call “dropdown” any list of vertical options. But there are different options on how to build those. Vitaly Friedman gives great form UX tips by to help you understand the difference, and when to use which. The goal is really to be consistent when talking with the people on your project.
Nest components, like buttons inside a clickable card, are always a tricky pattern. @ericwbailey.websiteBailey shows you how to make it work, with a couple of CSS lines, and semantic HTML, do not nest links within buttons!
Accessible faux-nested interactive controls
A really common user interface pattern is a big clickable area, such as a card. Sometimes you need controls within that card that are also clickable. There's lots of ways to do it wrong, but fret not, Eric is here to show you how to do it right.
piccalil.li
February 5, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Nest components, like buttons inside a clickable card, are always a tricky pattern. @ericwbailey.websiteBailey shows you how to make it work, with a couple of CSS lines, and semantic HTML, do not nest links within buttons!
Working theory: the Bridgerton boyz are orange cats. They share one brain cell. Benedict didn't have it when he asked her to be his Mistress.
That's the most plausible explanation. Sorry not sorry 😅
(Didn't read the books, apparently the timeline is longer in there so it makes more sense-ish?)
That's the most plausible explanation. Sorry not sorry 😅
(Didn't read the books, apparently the timeline is longer in there so it makes more sense-ish?)
February 4, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Working theory: the Bridgerton boyz are orange cats. They share one brain cell. Benedict didn't have it when he asked her to be his Mistress.
That's the most plausible explanation. Sorry not sorry 😅
(Didn't read the books, apparently the timeline is longer in there so it makes more sense-ish?)
That's the most plausible explanation. Sorry not sorry 😅
(Didn't read the books, apparently the timeline is longer in there so it makes more sense-ish?)
Reposted by Stef Walter
Another must-read by @stephaniewalter.bsky.social!
Discover how to design beyond the happy path in #designsystems, including...
👉 Design for technical states
👉 Design for flexibility across layouts and containers
👉 Design for inclusive interactions
👉 Design for user preferences and environments
Discover how to design beyond the happy path in #designsystems, including...
👉 Design for technical states
👉 Design for flexibility across layouts and containers
👉 Design for inclusive interactions
👉 Design for user preferences and environments
The designer’s happy path is only a fraction of the real experience. On zeroheight’s blog, I share a practical checklist to design components that survive loading, error, empty and offline states, real content, and diverse users.
Less Figma fantasy. More reality!
Less Figma fantasy. More reality!
Designing beyond the happy path in design systems - zeroheight
Design resilient design systems: in this checklist, Stéphanie Walter covers technical states, layouts, inclusive interactions, user preferences, and more.
zeroheight.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Another must-read by @stephaniewalter.bsky.social!
Discover how to design beyond the happy path in #designsystems, including...
👉 Design for technical states
👉 Design for flexibility across layouts and containers
👉 Design for inclusive interactions
👉 Design for user preferences and environments
Discover how to design beyond the happy path in #designsystems, including...
👉 Design for technical states
👉 Design for flexibility across layouts and containers
👉 Design for inclusive interactions
👉 Design for user preferences and environments
Twist your brain, with the Thatcher Effect: the faces are wrong, but they seem right upside down, because our brain loves to make sense of things, even when they don't.
(rotation animations might be motion sickness triggering)
optical.toys/thatcher-eff...
(rotation animations might be motion sickness triggering)
optical.toys/thatcher-eff...
February 4, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Twist your brain, with the Thatcher Effect: the faces are wrong, but they seem right upside down, because our brain loves to make sense of things, even when they don't.
(rotation animations might be motion sickness triggering)
optical.toys/thatcher-eff...
(rotation animations might be motion sickness triggering)
optical.toys/thatcher-eff...
Do you ever stumble upon a blog post and go "yep, dude is dead, and got replaced by an AI to make us believe he's not, it's the only thing that could make sense at this point"?
February 4, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Do you ever stumble upon a blog post and go "yep, dude is dead, and got replaced by an AI to make us believe he's not, it's the only thing that could make sense at this point"?
Same content, different impact: Diana Khalipina demonstrates how the same card component, will be perceived differently for different disabled users. Sometimes clarity for one person means confusion, stress or exclusion for another.
a11yblog.com/2026/01/30/h...
a11yblog.com/2026/01/30/h...
February 4, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Same content, different impact: Diana Khalipina demonstrates how the same card component, will be perceived differently for different disabled users. Sometimes clarity for one person means confusion, stress or exclusion for another.
a11yblog.com/2026/01/30/h...
a11yblog.com/2026/01/30/h...
Reposted by Stef Walter
Happy February!
First newsletter issue of this perfect month (that's a reference to the practice coding question 👀) is out!
cassidoo.co/newsletter
First newsletter issue of this perfect month (that's a reference to the practice coding question 👀) is out!
cassidoo.co/newsletter
rendezvous with cassidoo
A weekly newsletter with web development content for everyone, from beginners to pros.
cassidoo.co
February 2, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Happy February!
First newsletter issue of this perfect month (that's a reference to the practice coding question 👀) is out!
cassidoo.co/newsletter
First newsletter issue of this perfect month (that's a reference to the practice coding question 👀) is out!
cassidoo.co/newsletter
I think I need a "XX days since I didn't break anything" little calendar in my kitchen. But let's face it: it won't need 2 digits. Ever.
It's also another proof that I'm a cat: I must test gravity once a week, to make sure it still works, it's in my life mission. You are welcome for my service.
It's also another proof that I'm a cat: I must test gravity once a week, to make sure it still works, it's in my life mission. You are welcome for my service.
February 3, 2026 at 11:59 AM
I think I need a "XX days since I didn't break anything" little calendar in my kitchen. But let's face it: it won't need 2 digits. Ever.
It's also another proof that I'm a cat: I must test gravity once a week, to make sure it still works, it's in my life mission. You are welcome for my service.
It's also another proof that I'm a cat: I must test gravity once a week, to make sure it still works, it's in my life mission. You are welcome for my service.
I'm absolutely self-conscious about the way I say "for sure" now. Raaaah.
February 3, 2026 at 10:31 AM
I'm absolutely self-conscious about the way I say "for sure" now. Raaaah.
Tool of the day: Make Graph is a data visualization library to help you build graphs and charts.
I like that it also has nice explanations for when to use each type of charts, with specific use cases. Very helpful when you are not a dataviz expert!
makegraph.app/
I like that it also has nice explanations for when to use each type of charts, with specific use cases. Very helpful when you are not a dataviz expert!
makegraph.app/
February 3, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Tool of the day: Make Graph is a data visualization library to help you build graphs and charts.
I like that it also has nice explanations for when to use each type of charts, with specific use cases. Very helpful when you are not a dataviz expert!
makegraph.app/
I like that it also has nice explanations for when to use each type of charts, with specific use cases. Very helpful when you are not a dataviz expert!
makegraph.app/
How do you expect to push accessibility requirements like "all fields have labels" and "don't use placeholders in place of labels" when one of the most used UI Framework out there puts the label as false (hidden) by default in their Figma (paid) library and the placeholder as true?? I'm, annoyed.
February 2, 2026 at 3:03 PM
How do you expect to push accessibility requirements like "all fields have labels" and "don't use placeholders in place of labels" when one of the most used UI Framework out there puts the label as false (hidden) by default in their Figma (paid) library and the placeholder as true?? I'm, annoyed.
Sound on the web has been overused and became annoying. But, sound itself isn’t the problem, it’s how and when it’s used. Sound should complement visuals, not replace them. It can add a powerful extra layer to your interface.
Sounds on The Web
Sound is the forgotten sense in web design. Used well, it adds feedback, personality, and presence that visuals alone cannot achieve.
userinterface-wiki.vercel.app
February 2, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Sound on the web has been overused and became annoying. But, sound itself isn’t the problem, it’s how and when it’s used. Sound should complement visuals, not replace them. It can add a powerful extra layer to your interface.
My curated weekly newsletter is out.
This week includes sad accessibility predictions, a free accessibility book and some manipulative buttons. Also: some art exploring adult issues, a font tools and an SVG stroke animator.
👉🏻 stephaniewalter.design/blog/pixels-...
This week includes sad accessibility predictions, a free accessibility book and some manipulative buttons. Also: some art exploring adult issues, a font tools and an SVG stroke animator.
👉🏻 stephaniewalter.design/blog/pixels-...
February 2, 2026 at 7:45 AM
My curated weekly newsletter is out.
This week includes sad accessibility predictions, a free accessibility book and some manipulative buttons. Also: some art exploring adult issues, a font tools and an SVG stroke animator.
👉🏻 stephaniewalter.design/blog/pixels-...
This week includes sad accessibility predictions, a free accessibility book and some manipulative buttons. Also: some art exploring adult issues, a font tools and an SVG stroke animator.
👉🏻 stephaniewalter.design/blog/pixels-...
So... Helping other passenger get the 5 pigeons out of the train so that we can continue our journey was most certainly not on my to-do list today.
I mean at least it brought some fun in a day of otherwise canceled train mayhem.
I mean at least it brought some fun in a day of otherwise canceled train mayhem.
January 30, 2026 at 5:17 PM
So... Helping other passenger get the 5 pigeons out of the train so that we can continue our journey was most certainly not on my to-do list today.
I mean at least it brought some fun in a day of otherwise canceled train mayhem.
I mean at least it brought some fun in a day of otherwise canceled train mayhem.
My brain is such a little troll. I overly stress in advance when I travel because some trains or flights might get cancelled and I won't make it in time.
And when it happens, I'm chill, calm, numb going "well I shall arrive when I arrive what else am I going to do".
I want that chill before. Meeeh!
And when it happens, I'm chill, calm, numb going "well I shall arrive when I arrive what else am I going to do".
I want that chill before. Meeeh!
January 30, 2026 at 3:29 PM
My brain is such a little troll. I overly stress in advance when I travel because some trains or flights might get cancelled and I won't make it in time.
And when it happens, I'm chill, calm, numb going "well I shall arrive when I arrive what else am I going to do".
I want that chill before. Meeeh!
And when it happens, I'm chill, calm, numb going "well I shall arrive when I arrive what else am I going to do".
I want that chill before. Meeeh!