Emma Dawson
@emmadawsondev.bsky.social
Full stack software developer • Passionate about accessibility
If your entire accessibility strategy relies on developers seeking out and reading documentation…
… yeah, good luck with that.
… yeah, good luck with that.
June 5, 2025 at 11:50 AM
If your entire accessibility strategy relies on developers seeking out and reading documentation…
… yeah, good luck with that.
… yeah, good luck with that.
Why does my brain try to sabotage me?
Had a panic dream at 4am that I missed my web accessibility specialist exam tomorrow because I got hyperfocused on a task and lost track of time 🤦🏻♀️
This is why I get stuck in waiting mode instead 🙄
Had a panic dream at 4am that I missed my web accessibility specialist exam tomorrow because I got hyperfocused on a task and lost track of time 🤦🏻♀️
This is why I get stuck in waiting mode instead 🙄
June 1, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Why does my brain try to sabotage me?
Had a panic dream at 4am that I missed my web accessibility specialist exam tomorrow because I got hyperfocused on a task and lost track of time 🤦🏻♀️
This is why I get stuck in waiting mode instead 🙄
Had a panic dream at 4am that I missed my web accessibility specialist exam tomorrow because I got hyperfocused on a task and lost track of time 🤦🏻♀️
This is why I get stuck in waiting mode instead 🙄
I literally just got back from returning some library books on my lunch break and the library messages me to say my reservation is ready.
I was just there 15 minutes ago 😭
I was just there 15 minutes ago 😭
May 21, 2025 at 11:26 AM
I literally just got back from returning some library books on my lunch break and the library messages me to say my reservation is ready.
I was just there 15 minutes ago 😭
I was just there 15 minutes ago 😭
5 day working weeks are overrated. Can I please have some more bank holidays and long weekends?
May 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
5 day working weeks are overrated. Can I please have some more bank holidays and long weekends?
Trying to book an exam: if you need accommodations we will ring you to schedule your exam (even having a water bottle is an accommodation)
Me: 😭😭😭 weighs life choices and which is worse - 3 hours without water/toilet break or having to make a phone call 😭😭😭
Me: 😭😭😭 weighs life choices and which is worse - 3 hours without water/toilet break or having to make a phone call 😭😭😭
May 6, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Trying to book an exam: if you need accommodations we will ring you to schedule your exam (even having a water bottle is an accommodation)
Me: 😭😭😭 weighs life choices and which is worse - 3 hours without water/toilet break or having to make a phone call 😭😭😭
Me: 😭😭😭 weighs life choices and which is worse - 3 hours without water/toilet break or having to make a phone call 😭😭😭
Reposted by Emma Dawson
[New blog post]
Are CSS Carousels accessible sarasoueidan.com/blog/css-car...
In this post, I share some important insights from examining the accessibility of CSS-only carousels that use new features introduced in the #CSS Overflow Module Level 5 spec.
#a11y
Are CSS Carousels accessible sarasoueidan.com/blog/css-car...
In this post, I share some important insights from examining the accessibility of CSS-only carousels that use new features introduced in the #CSS Overflow Module Level 5 spec.
#a11y
Are 'CSS Carousels' accessible?
– The personal website of Sara Soueidan, inclusive design engineer
sarasoueidan.com
May 6, 2025 at 3:27 PM
[New blog post]
Are CSS Carousels accessible sarasoueidan.com/blog/css-car...
In this post, I share some important insights from examining the accessibility of CSS-only carousels that use new features introduced in the #CSS Overflow Module Level 5 spec.
#a11y
Are CSS Carousels accessible sarasoueidan.com/blog/css-car...
In this post, I share some important insights from examining the accessibility of CSS-only carousels that use new features introduced in the #CSS Overflow Module Level 5 spec.
#a11y
It’s amazing how differently different browsers and screen reader combinations can behave.
I was testing some custom checkboxes in a form and they behaved wildly differently with Chrome + VO, safari + VO and Firefox + NVDA.
Remember to check as many browsers as possible, not everyone uses Chrome
I was testing some custom checkboxes in a form and they behaved wildly differently with Chrome + VO, safari + VO and Firefox + NVDA.
Remember to check as many browsers as possible, not everyone uses Chrome
May 5, 2025 at 6:34 PM
It’s amazing how differently different browsers and screen reader combinations can behave.
I was testing some custom checkboxes in a form and they behaved wildly differently with Chrome + VO, safari + VO and Firefox + NVDA.
Remember to check as many browsers as possible, not everyone uses Chrome
I was testing some custom checkboxes in a form and they behaved wildly differently with Chrome + VO, safari + VO and Firefox + NVDA.
Remember to check as many browsers as possible, not everyone uses Chrome
Passed the Web Accessibility Specialist screening from IAAP so now I can book my exam in May. Time to study shortcut keys for 5 different screen readers 🥲
May 3, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Passed the Web Accessibility Specialist screening from IAAP so now I can book my exam in May. Time to study shortcut keys for 5 different screen readers 🥲
Reposted by Emma Dawson
We’re into the last three days of our CFP for Front End North. Please keep sending us your ideas!
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE 11:59PM MONDAY!
There’s a blog post on our website with ideas for topics that we’re particularly looking out for.
frontendnorth.com/blog/2025/03...
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE 11:59PM MONDAY!
There’s a blog post on our website with ideas for topics that we’re particularly looking out for.
frontendnorth.com/blog/2025/03...
Apply to speak at Front End North 2025 | Front End North Conference
We are opening a call for proposals (CFP) process to give you a chance to share your ideas and experience on stage!
frontendnorth.com
April 26, 2025 at 7:11 AM
We’re into the last three days of our CFP for Front End North. Please keep sending us your ideas!
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE 11:59PM MONDAY!
There’s a blog post on our website with ideas for topics that we’re particularly looking out for.
frontendnorth.com/blog/2025/03...
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE 11:59PM MONDAY!
There’s a blog post on our website with ideas for topics that we’re particularly looking out for.
frontendnorth.com/blog/2025/03...
Reposted by Emma Dawson
Join us for a live session with @marcysutton.com from @khanacademy.org to talk about accessibility testing! We'll share testing strategies, demo what's coming in Storybook 9 next month, and answer your accessibility questions.
Happening in 24 hrs. Register now!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Happening in 24 hrs. Register now!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
April 21, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Join us for a live session with @marcysutton.com from @khanacademy.org to talk about accessibility testing! We'll share testing strategies, demo what's coming in Storybook 9 next month, and answer your accessibility questions.
Happening in 24 hrs. Register now!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Happening in 24 hrs. Register now!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
The web accessibility specialist courses from Deque are really thorough but all the “must, should, may” language is super confusing. Just tell me the WCAG level instead 😬
April 19, 2025 at 6:43 PM
The web accessibility specialist courses from Deque are really thorough but all the “must, should, may” language is super confusing. Just tell me the WCAG level instead 😬
My biggest takeaway from JSDay conference last week came from a 5 minute lightning talk.
You are not your user. Be a user advocate.
I like the term user advocate. I feel like it describes perfectly what I try to do.
You are not your user. Be a user advocate.
I like the term user advocate. I feel like it describes perfectly what I try to do.
April 13, 2025 at 5:56 PM
My biggest takeaway from JSDay conference last week came from a 5 minute lightning talk.
You are not your user. Be a user advocate.
I like the term user advocate. I feel like it describes perfectly what I try to do.
You are not your user. Be a user advocate.
I like the term user advocate. I feel like it describes perfectly what I try to do.
I put something somewhere safe but it was obviously so safe even I can’t remember where I put it 😬
March 30, 2025 at 10:15 AM
I put something somewhere safe but it was obviously so safe even I can’t remember where I put it 😬
I was on a podcast talking to Tim Damen about accessibility. I can definitely recommend listening to all the other episodes in the series too! www.linkedin.com/posts/focusr...
#digitalaccessibility #webdevelopment #accessibility #frontend #wcag #a11y… | focusring.io
🎙️ focustrap episode 5 - The Journey to Inclusive Design | #5 Emma Dawson
In this conversation, Tim Damen and Emma Dawson working for Axess Lab explore the…
www.linkedin.com
March 20, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I was on a podcast talking to Tim Damen about accessibility. I can definitely recommend listening to all the other episodes in the series too! www.linkedin.com/posts/focusr...
I’m so tired of my computer claiming paths don’t exist every time I need to clone a new repo at work 😬
I spend most of my time debugging my setup instead of actually coding. Why is it so complicated? 😓
I spend most of my time debugging my setup instead of actually coding. Why is it so complicated? 😓
March 19, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I’m so tired of my computer claiming paths don’t exist every time I need to clone a new repo at work 😬
I spend most of my time debugging my setup instead of actually coding. Why is it so complicated? 😓
I spend most of my time debugging my setup instead of actually coding. Why is it so complicated? 😓
Reposted by Emma Dawson
Mark your calendars: The 2025 edition of Inclusive Design 24 ( #id24 ) will take place on the 25 September 2025! We've just opened our call for presentations (closing date 31 May 2025) - looking forward to your exciting submissions! inclusivedesign24.org/2025/ #a11y #accessibility
Inclusive Design 24 (#id24)
A free 24-hour online community event on accessibility and inclusion
inclusivedesign24.org
March 19, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Mark your calendars: The 2025 edition of Inclusive Design 24 ( #id24 ) will take place on the 25 September 2025! We've just opened our call for presentations (closing date 31 May 2025) - looking forward to your exciting submissions! inclusivedesign24.org/2025/ #a11y #accessibility
When you are looking at new libraries or frameworks to use in your code, check their accessibility documentation before you decide.
It may be great for performance but if it's not accessible it's not a good choice.
And just because a FAANG company wrote it doesn't make it good either
It may be great for performance but if it's not accessible it's not a good choice.
And just because a FAANG company wrote it doesn't make it good either
March 19, 2025 at 8:12 AM
When you are looking at new libraries or frameworks to use in your code, check their accessibility documentation before you decide.
It may be great for performance but if it's not accessible it's not a good choice.
And just because a FAANG company wrote it doesn't make it good either
It may be great for performance but if it's not accessible it's not a good choice.
And just because a FAANG company wrote it doesn't make it good either
Libraries are great! I put in a request for a book 2 days ago which they didn’t have. Just got an email saying they’ll buy a copy and have reserved it for me so I’ll get a notification as soon as it arrives and they add it to the system 😃
March 8, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Libraries are great! I put in a request for a book 2 days ago which they didn’t have. Just got an email saying they’ll buy a copy and have reserved it for me so I’ll get a notification as soon as it arrives and they add it to the system 😃
Today is Dyscalculia Awareness Day so to make yourself more aware you should definitely check out this great website accessiblenumbers.com and I can 100% recommend the podcast of the same name
Designing services for people who need help with numbers
Low numeracy affects half of adults in the UK. Many live with the limitations of not understanding numbers and the impact that has on everyday life.
accessiblenumbers.com
March 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Today is Dyscalculia Awareness Day so to make yourself more aware you should definitely check out this great website accessiblenumbers.com and I can 100% recommend the podcast of the same name
Great day at an Axe Con watch party but I networked too hard and now I’m exhausted
#introvertHangover
#introvertHangover
February 28, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Great day at an Axe Con watch party but I networked too hard and now I’m exhausted
#introvertHangover
#introvertHangover
My email app on my phone updated and added a random meaningless (to me) icon beside each email and I now don’t understand my inbox anymore. Talk about cognitive overload 😬 how do I get rid of them?
February 11, 2025 at 8:56 PM
My email app on my phone updated and added a random meaningless (to me) icon beside each email and I now don’t understand my inbox anymore. Talk about cognitive overload 😬 how do I get rid of them?
I wanted to watch an accessibility event today but all the times listed were in EET and although it’s only an hour difference my lil brain just couldn’t work out when all the different sessions were.
I’m hoping they recorded it 🤞🏻
I’m hoping they recorded it 🤞🏻
February 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I wanted to watch an accessibility event today but all the times listed were in EET and although it’s only an hour difference my lil brain just couldn’t work out when all the different sessions were.
I’m hoping they recorded it 🤞🏻
I’m hoping they recorded it 🤞🏻
Reposted by Emma Dawson
I wrote some words about accessibility tooling, and how they often end up in the "good intentions" pile. The TLDR: Get your accessibility tooling off from your developers' machines and into your CI
heather-buchel.com/blog/2025/01...
heather-buchel.com/blog/2025/01...
Accessibility tooling and good intentions
Your accessibility tooling deserves the same first class treatment as the rest of your stack.
heather-buchel.com
January 30, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I wrote some words about accessibility tooling, and how they often end up in the "good intentions" pile. The TLDR: Get your accessibility tooling off from your developers' machines and into your CI
heather-buchel.com/blog/2025/01...
heather-buchel.com/blog/2025/01...
About to see Les Miserables world tour in Stockholm. I’m soooo excited, it’s been over 12 years since I last saw it in London
January 25, 2025 at 12:44 PM
About to see Les Miserables world tour in Stockholm. I’m soooo excited, it’s been over 12 years since I last saw it in London