Chax Chat Accessibility Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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!

Accessibility checkers are helpful, but they don’t tell the whole story. In this episode, Dax and Chad break down what really makes a document accessible, from heading structure and reading order to alt text, lists, and color contrast. With plenty of real-world examples (and a few accessibility wizard jokes), this episode is a practical guide to building better 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!

Designing accessible multilingual documents goes way beyond translation. In this episode, Dax and Chad unpack the many layers, from alt text limitations and form field quirks to font encoding nightmares and cultural sensitivity in visuals. If you're designing multi-language documents or forms, this conversation is packed with practical insights to help you build documents that are truly inclusive. Interested in a resource mentioned in this episode? Send us an email at solutions@chaxtc.com and we’ll get it right to you!

Forms are one of the trickiest types of PDF’s to make accessible! In this episode, Chad and Dax break down why forms can be so frustrating, how tagging impacts screen reader navigation, and what tools and workflows can help you build forms that are both functional and accessible. They share tips that save time (and sanity), pitfalls to avoid, and, as always, they remind you why checking your work with a screen reader is essential. Interested in a resource mentioned in this episode? Send us an email at solutions@chaxtc.com and we’ll get it right to you!

In this episode of Chax Chat, hosts Chad Chelius and Dax Castro tackle real-world challenges in document accessibility, focusing on tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat. They explore common issues with tables and cells, such as merged headers and layout complexities, and share practical tips for ensuring accessibility across different formats. The conversation includes strategies for managing accessibility in spreadsheets and PDFs, highlighting the nuances of remediation. Plus we are introduced to Chad’s cat, more Koi talk, and how to snag a Chax freebie.

In this episode of ChaxChat, hosts Chad Chelius and Dax Castro delve into document accessibility with a focus on real-world challenges and professional development. This episode highlights tools and strategies that bridge the gap between aesthetics and functionality. Working in MS Word, Powerpoint and Adobe Acrobat. Using the Microsoft accessibility checker. Qualitative VS quantitative. And of course Koi Talk.

Join Chad Chelius and Dax Castro as they dive into the real-world challenges of document accessibility. In this episode, they highlight why exporting PDFs in the PDF/UA format matters and share practical tips for ensuring your documents meet compliance standards. Plus Dax tells tales of traveling to Japan to find exotic koi. Whether you're new to accessibility or deep in the trenches, there's something here for you.

In this episode of Chax Chat, Chad Chelius and Dax Castro take a hard look at the hidden risks of relying on templates for accessible content. They unpack how even well-intentioned templates can bake in bad practices and create barriers at scale when not built with accessibility in mind. From heading structures to color contrast, the duo shares tips on what to look out for and how to fix it. They also touch on recent accessibility lawsuits that highlight the real-world consequences of getting it wrong. So settle in, grab your favorite beverage, and let’s talk about how to turn your templates from risky to reliable.

In this episode of Chax Chat, Chad Chelius and Dax Castro dive into the world of artificial intelligence and its role in accessibility. From AI-generated alt text to document remediation tools, they explore the balance between automation and accuracy. You’ll hear real-world examples, a few rants, and some solid advice for those navigating this evolving landscape. Whether you’re curious about what’s next or skeptical of the hype, this episode offers valuable insights and a few laughs along the way. So pour yourself a cup of curiosity, and let’s jump right in!

In this episode of Chax Chat, Chad Chelius and Dax Castro tackle some of the most common challenges in document accessibility. From overlooked tagging issues to the hidden complexities of tables and lists, they break down key remediation strategies that can save you time and frustration. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this conversation is packed with practical tips to help you create compliant, user-friendly PDFs. So sit back, grab your favorite mug of whatever, and let’s get into it!

This is really a trick question. In this episode we discuss how to answer the question "What is the one tool you use for accessibility?" Chad and Dax start out by discussing the merits of getting an accessibility certification and then move on to talk about a couple of new scripts that are currently on their website. Specifically one that helps hide and show items in the Adobe InDesign Articles panel. Chad drops a pro-tip on the ROI of purchasing the right tools to speed up your production time and Dax lets everyone know about the great handout available in the downloads section of the website called: Unlocking C-Suite Motivation. This great handout empowers you with the tools to know how to approach your execs in the way that speaks to them, increasing your chances of getting buy-in for tools, training and establishing an accessibility program within your organization. If you have not registered for the Venngage webinar today be sure to visit https://bit.ly/A11yScale If you missed it you can still get the handout on our website in the downloads section of the menu.

They say the best way to learn a language is by working with a native speaker, and learning Assistive Technology is no different. We are thrilled to have Kristen Witucki from Tamman Inc join us today on Chax Chat to talk about her experience as a native assistive technology user. Kristen walks us through the way she uses NVDA and JAWS, her setting preferences, and how the use of this technology affects her day to day life. Kristen works with Tamman Inc both as an Assistive Technology Communications Expert, as well as the host of the podcast Article 19, the podcast that explores accessibility through stories and experiences that tie us all together.

Effective use of alt text, actual text, extended descriptions, and captions are essential for helping the users of accessibility tools read the document the way you intended. Most documents contain more than words alone. Graphics, graphs, photos, and even stylized formats are used to enhance the reader experience. But oftentimes, these visual elements disrupt or even create a barrier for users of AT. In today’s episode of Chax Chat, Chad Chelius and Dax Castro discuss some of the pitfalls and barriers caused by the misuse of these important information tools. We talk through different real life examples of how alt text and actual text have been used to solve problems introduced by different graphic design and layout elements.

Today on Chax Chat we talk about designing with accessibility in mind. Creating an accessibility-first mindset is essential to the success of creating documents that maximize accessibility from the start and avoid the time drain of accessibility at the end or redoing the work when the inevitable last-minute change comes. Join Chad Chelius and Dax Castro as they break down Designing accessible trifoldsImplementing accessible QR codesCaptionsTable of Contents, and;Reasons to avoid Drop Caps

Adobe InDesign offers several features to manage the tags and content of your document for accessibility, but not all panes are built the same! In today’s episode of Chax Chat, we are going to explore all three of these windows, the benefits and purposes they serve, and when or when not to use them. Today we will be defining assistive technology, unraveling the tags pane, the order panel, and the content pane. We will also be defining assistive technology and learning more about how to work with tags within your PDF document. Related Episode: Part 2: Top 10 Accessibility Questions Newbies AskRelated Episode: Who does the Reading Order affect? This Guest: Sonya Lewis!Related Episode: Guest Leonard Rosenethol - Content Authenticity, Liquid Mode and Read Order Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction2:52 - Topic Introduction5:44 - Tags Pane9:28 - Defining Assistive Technology11:28 - Working with Tags in a PDF File14:15 - Order Panel18:43 - Content Pane34:26 - Mislabeling Tools

Microsoft Word is said to be one of the best applications for making accessible documents, but how true is that claim? There are a lot of practices that designers use that set them back while working within Word. Join Chad Chelius and Dax Castro as they talk about some of the most common issues document creators encounter when working within this application, best rules to follow to avoid those issues, and how to remediate your document when issues arise. Listen in and learn why you should use caution with templates, missing or artifact document covers within the header, title tags versus H1 tags, accessible links in the footer, how to turn off auto-generated alt-text, bulleted lists and 2 column layouts, creating an automated table of contents, and layout tables. Episode Resources: How does my Bulleted List Sound DocumentLearn More about axesWord Demonstration Creating Accessible Dot Leaders By Chad Chelius Are Track Changes Accessible? By Dax Castro Time Stamps 0:00 - Introduction2:13 - Introducing the Topic3:03 - Using Caution with Pre-Built Templates5:15 - Document Cover and Headers7:35 - Title Tag Versus H1 Tag13:11 - Accessible Links in the Footer20:04 - How to turn off Auto-generated Alt-text25:05 - Bulleted Lists and 2 Column Layouts29:22 - Manual Table of Contents35:13 - Layout Tables