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Awesome Accessibility

Awesome CC0 Contributions Welcome

A curated list of resources, tools, guidelines, and communities for building accessible, inclusive digital experiences.

"For some people technology makes things easier, for others it makes things possible."

Contributions welcome — please share suggestions, corrections, and especially broken links. See CONTRIBUTING.md.

Table of Contents

Note on Specific Accessibility Categories: This list includes specialized sections focused on specific disability types and accessibility needs. These sections complement the broader categories and make it easier to find resources for particular accessibility requirements, including low vision, blindness, motor control, deaf/hard of hearing, cognitive accessibility, speech recognition, and neurodiversity.

Assistive Technologies

General tools that assist users with disabilities:

Web Accessibility

Resources for ensuring websites work for all:

  • Tota11y - Visually test accessibility right in the browser.
  • IBM Equal Access Toolkit - Detect accessibility issues in web content.
  • Drupal Accessibility Modules - Modules like Accessibility Checker for audits.
  • axe browser extension - Find accessibility issues directly within your browser.
  • ChromeLens browser extension - Identify accessibility issues and best practices for your web projects.
  • W3C Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools List - A list of software programs and online services that help determine if web content is accessible.
  • WCAGsafe - WCAG 2.1 AA website and PDF accessibility scanner with plain-language results, risk indicators, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
  • WCAG 2 Overview - The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 has 13 guidelines organized under 4 principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
  • WAI Resources - Most technical and educational resources from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).
  • The A11Y Project - A community-driven effort to make web accessibility easier. It provides a curated collection of web accessibility tips, tools, and resources.
  • Accessible SVG Icons: ARIA, Roles and Labels - Practical guide to making SVG icons accessible with ARIA roles, labels, and decorative icon patterns.
  • 20 Best Accessibility Testing tools WCAG and ADA Testing Tools - BrowserStack's guide explores 20 top accessibility testing tools for WCAG and ADA compliance.
  • TestMuAI Accessibility DevTools - TestMuAI's Accessibility DevTools offer full-featured web accessibility testing, including full-page scans, partial-page scans, and more.
  • Accessible Technology at the UW - The University of Washington's Accessible Technology website offers a wealth of resources on creating accessible digital content.
  • Accessibility Guidelines Digital gov - Digital.gov provides resources and guidance to help U.S. government agencies create accessible digital services.
  • The Web Accessibility Framework - Pope Tech's Web Accessibility Framework helps organizations improve website accessibility by defining goals, scope, risk appetite, gaps, processes, and more.
  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2 Documents - The official W3C documentation for WCAG 2, including the technical standard and supporting documents.
  • 12 Web Accessibility Resources Every Developer Needs - A curated list of web accessibility resources for developers, including tools, checklists, and guides.
  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 - Latest W3C Recommendation for WCAG, with nine additional success criteria addressing visual, cognitive, and motor accessibility.
  • What's New in WCAG 2.2 - Official W3C guide explaining the 9 new success criteria in WCAG 2.2, including Focus Not Obscured (2.4.11, 2.4.12, 2.4.13), Consistent Help (3.2.6), Redundant Entry (3.3.7), and authentication improvements (3.3.8, 3.3.9). (Added 2025)
  • WCAG 2.2 Quick Reference - Customizable quick reference to WCAG 2.2 success criteria, techniques, and understanding documents. Filter by level (A, AA, AAA) and technology. Official W3C resource. (Added 2025)
  • WCAG 3.0 Introduction (Working Draft) - W3C introduction to the early Working Draft for WCAG 3.0; WCAG 2.2 remains the latest W3C Recommendation.
  • WebAIM Articles and Resources - Collection of articles, tutorials, and best practices for web accessibility.
  • A11Y Project Checklist - An easy-to-use checklist for web developers and designers to ensure their projects meet accessibility standards.
  • WAI ARIA Authoring Practices 1 2 - A guide for understanding how to use WAI-ARIA to create accessible web applications.
  • Vue Accessibility - A collection of Vue.js utilities to help developers create accessible applications.
  • Pa11y - A set of free and open source tools to help designers and developers make their web pages more accessible.
  • Accessible Rich Internet Applications WAI ARIA 1 2 - A technical specification that provides an ontology of roles, states, and properties for accessible user interface elements.
  • User Agent Accessibility Guidelines UAAG 2 0 - Guidelines for designing user agents that lower barriers to Web accessibility for people with disabilities.
  • European Standard EN 301 549 - European accessibility requirements for ICT products and services, harmonized with WCAG and applicable to public procurement in the EU.
  • WebAIM Web Accessibility In Mind - Web accessibility resources, including articles, tools, and training materials.
  • ADA.gov Guidance on Web Accessibility - Official guidance from ADA.gov on web accessibility for state and local governments and businesses.
  • Mozilla Understanding WCAG - A guide from Mozilla Developer Network to understanding the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
  • Section508.gov Guide to Accessible Web Design - A guide from Section508.gov on accessible web design and development, with relevant WCAG requirements.
  • Recite Me Top 10 Web Accessibility Best Practices - A list of top 10 web accessibility best practices.
  • UserWay Web Accessibility Solution - Web accessibility overlay for ADA and WCAG compliance.
  • Accessibility Checker by Experte - Free bulk website accessibility checker that scans up to 500 pages at once against WCAG 2.1 criteria.
  • ARC Toolkit - Chrome extension from Vispero for professional accessibility testing, with detailed WCAG violation reporting and remediation guidance.
  • Axe Linter - GitHub Action from Deque that catches accessibility issues in HTML, React, Vue, and Markdown files during pull requests.
  • Sa11y - Accessibility quality assurance tool that visually highlights issues directly on the page, designed for content authors and editors.
  • Editoria11y - Princeton-built content accessibility checker that runs automatically on page load, flagging issues like missing alt text and heading structure problems.
  • WCAG 2.2 Map - Interactive visual map from Intopia showing all WCAG 2.2 success criteria organized by principle, level, and guideline.
  • Accesserty Signal - Chrome and Firefox extension that shows published accessibility certifications and statements for sites in Google and Bing results, and lets users report barriers they encounter.

Inclusive Design

Principles and patterns for accessibility:

Accessibility Testing & Validation

Tools and resources for testing and validating accessibility:

  • Accessibility Insights - Find issues before users encounter them.
  • Accessibility Conformance Testing - Techniques from W3C Web Accessibility Initiative.
  • Asqatasun - Continuous accessibility monitoring and reporting.
  • Lighthouse - Audit for accessibility, performance, SEO and best practices by Google.
  • Achecker - Batch accessibility checking for sets of online documents.
  • WAVE - Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool developed by WebAIM.
  • accessScan - Accessibility testing tool.
  • A11y Color Contrast Accessibility Validator - Color contrast checker for accessibility (formerly color.a11y.com).
  • ACTF aDesigner - Accessibility simulator and checker.
  • CSS & HTML Validator - Checks HTML, CSS, SEO, PHP, and more for errors and warnings.
  • Accessibility Checker - ADA & WCAG Compliance checker.
  • Contrast Checker - Checks color contrast for WCAG compliance.
  • TestMuAI - Cloud-based cross-browser testing platform with accessibility testing features.
  • Siteimprove - Digital presence optimization software including accessibility testing.
  • Best Tools and Resources for Your Accessible Design - A curated list of tools and resources for accessible design, including ANDI, NVDA, contrast checkers, and various guides.
  • IBM Equal Access Toolkit - A set of tools and guidance to help designers and developers create accessible products and applications.
  • WebAIM Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools - Guide to web accessibility evaluation tools, including both automated and manual testing methods.
  • IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker - A set of open source tools and guidance to help designers and developers create accessible products and applications.
  • Allyant 4 Free Best Web Accessibility Testing Tools - A detailed comparison of four free web accessibility testing tools.
  • Applitools Top 10 Accessibility Testing Tools - A list of the top 10 web accessibility testing tools.
  • Access Check - Browser-based WCAG 2.1 scanner that checks a URL or pasted HTML and maps each violation to its success criterion. Runs client-side with no install or account, and documents axe-core's roughly 30-50% automated-detection ceiling rather than implying full coverage.
  • Section508.gov Accessibility Testing - Overview of how to use the Accessible Name & Description Inspector tool (ANDI) for testing.
  • AudioEye Top 23 Free Accessibility Testing Tools - A list of 23 free accessibility testing tools.
  • GOV.UK Testing for Accessibility - Guidelines on testing for accessibility, including tools like Microsoft's Accessibility Insights.
  • DigitalA11Y Open Source Accessibility Tools Roundup - A curated list of open-source web accessibility evaluation tools.
  • Website Accessibility Checker - A tool to check single HTML pages for conformance with accessibility standards.
  • SIUMED Web Accessibility: Evaluation Tools - A libguide on web content accessibility validators.
  • Reddit Accessibility Audit Tools Discussion - A Reddit discussion on accessibility audit tools.
  • Stark - Design Accessibility Plugin - Accessibility plugin for Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD with contrast checker (with color suggestions), color blindness simulator (8 types), focus order visualization, alt-text annotations, typography analysis, and touch target testing. Integrates accessibility testing directly into design workflow. Free and paid tiers. (Added 2025)
  • Polypane Browser - Accessibility Testing - Developer browser with 80+ built-in WCAG 2.2 accessibility tests, real-time contrast checking (with color suggestions), 8 types of color blindness simulation side-by-side, accessibility tree visualization, and element inspector with a11y info. Includes Polypane Cloud for full-site testing. Paid tool with free trial. (Added 2025)
  • jest-axe - Automated A11y Testing - Jest matcher for automated accessibility testing in React/JavaScript applications. Built on axe-core engine for finding common WCAG violations in unit tests. Free and open-source. Note: Automated tools detect ~30% of accessibility issues - combine with manual testing and screen reader checks. (Added 2025)
  • axe-core Library - Open-source JavaScript accessibility testing engine that powers axe DevTools, jest-axe, and other tools. Provides automated WCAG 2.0-2.2 violation detection for integration into testing pipelines. Free and open-source library from Deque Systems. (Added 2025)
  • axe DevTools Browser Extension - Powerful browser extension for accessibility testing with intelligent guided tests, full-page scanning, and element inspection. Free version available; Pro version offers CI/CD integration and advanced features. Available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. (Enhanced 2025)
  • barrieretest.at - Automated accessibility testing tool built on pa11y, tailored to Austrian BaFG regulations. Provides a quick score for any URL. Free, no sign-up required. API access available on request.
  • Foglift - Free website analyzer that includes WCAG accessibility audit. Checks alt text, heading hierarchy, ARIA landmarks, keyboard navigation, color contrast, and more across all pages. Free API available.
  • Octopus Scanner - Desktop accessibility auditing app using Puppeteer and axe-core. Supports full-site crawls, sitemap ingestion, interactive journey recording for authenticated flows, and deep scan engine for dynamic content. Generates interactive reports with visual defect highlighting. Free, cross-platform.
  • PageGuard - Free website health scanner that checks SEO, performance, accessibility, and best practices. Generates plain-English reports. No registration required. Powered by Cloudflare Workers AI.
  • Nutilz Accessibility Checker - Free WCAG scanner that audits any URL for critical, serious, moderate, and minor violations, gives the page a numeric score, and lists passed checks alongside per-issue fix guidance. No signup required. (Added 2026)
  • QAPractices Accessibility Testing - Curated hub with accessibility testing guides, WCAG checklists and tools for manual and automated testing.
  • Annex Markup Scan - Browser-based WCAG 2.2 checker for a page's HTML. The 14 rules run client-side in both modes: pasting a source sends nothing anywhere, and scanning by address sends only the address to a proxy that fetches the page and hands the HTML back. Names colour contrast, keyboard operation and focus visibility as out of scope for static analysis rather than scoring them as passed.
  • wcag-contrast-ci - Zero-dependency Python CLI that batch-checks color pairs against WCAG AA/AAA (normal, large, and UI-component tiers) and audits CSS token hygiene - variable definition/usage counts, hardcoded color values, and dead token detection. Exits non-zero on failure so it can gate a CI pipeline directly. (Added 2026)

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Tools for facilitating communication:

  • Cboard - Symbol-based communication platform.
  • MyCoughDrop - Cloud-based communication system.
  • EyeTell - Communication through eye-tracking technology.
  • Boardmaker - Design and print symbol-based communication boards.
  • LAMP Words for Life - Subscription app for symbol-based communication with motor planning approach.
  • Grid 3 AAC Software - AAC software by Smartbox (UK) for symbol and text communication, environmental control, and computer access. Multiple vocabularies including Super Core (3,500+ words), Voco Chat, and Aphasia Duo. Supports touch, eye gaze, and switch access. Includes generative creativity tool Mind's Eye. Compatible with Windows (64-bit). 60-day free trial, then paid subscription. (Added 2025)
  • TD Snap Communication Platform - Flexible AAC app by Tobii Dynavox with 75,000+ Picture Communication Symbols in 25+ languages. Includes Core First, Motor Plan, Express, Text, Scanning, and Aphasia page sets (PODD and Gateway via in-app purchase). Accessible via touch, eye gaze, or switch with Google Assistant integration. Compatible with Tobii Dynavox devices and iPad. 1-month free trial, then subscription required. (Added 2025)
  • Proloquo4Text AAC App - Text-based AAC app by AssistiveWare for iOS designed for literate users with motor challenges or speech difficulties. Features word prediction, abbreviation expansion, customizable natural voices, and efficient text-to-speech communication tools. One-time purchase. Complements symbol-based Proloquo2Go. (Added 2025)
  • PRC-Saltillo AAC Resource Library - A library of resources for augmentative and alternative communication from PRC-Saltillo (formerly Prentke Romich).
  • TAAT - Tennessee Association for Assistive Technology, a collection of assistive technology resources.
  • Disability Voices United - A resource for augmentative and alternative communication.
  • Augsburg - Guide to assistive technology for everyone.
  • AAC Language Lab - A resource for learning about augmentative and alternative communication.
  • ATR Solutions - A company providing assistive technology solutions.
  • DisabilityInfo.org - A fact sheet library on augmentative and alternative communication.
  • DPI - Department of Public Instruction's resources on assistive technology.
  • ASHA - American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's resources on AAC.
  • OpenAAC - OpenAAC is a community-driven initiative to create free, open standards and tools for the AAC community.
  • ARASAAC Aragonese Portal of Augmentative and Alternative Communication - ARASAAC offers a large collection of free pictograms, software tools, and resources for creating AAC materials.
  • ISAAC International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication - A global organization working to improve the lives of children and adults with complex communication needs.
  • Accent AAC Devices - Dedicated speech-generating devices with touch, switch, head-tracking, and eye-tracking access options; includes Unity and LAMP Words for Life vocabularies.
  • SpeechWatch AAC1 - A wearable AAC device with a 2.9" touchscreen, preinstalled with TalkTablet PRO.
  • Enabling Devices AAC Communicators - A wide range of AAC devices including one-message, two-message, progressive, and wearable communicators.
  • AssistiveWare Proloquo - A symbol-based AAC app for iOS devices, designed to help non-verbal users communicate effectively.
  • AAC — Low-Cost Voice & Gesture Recognition - Open-source AAC research prototype (MIT license) that trains a personalized voice and gesture classifier from as few as 10 samples per word or gesture, for people with motor speech disorders (dysarthria/apraxia). Fully offline, no dedicated hardware required. Documents a peer-reviewable finding on cognitive-motor interference during simultaneous multimodal capture. (Added 2026)
  • Tobii Dynavox Snap Core First - A symbol-based AAC software that provides a systematic approach to communication and literacy.
  • Speech and Language Kids AAC Resource Page - A resource page on AAC for children with speech and language delays.
  • Communicator - Free browser-based gesture-to-speech app: the camera turns head movements, blinks, and hand gestures into customizable spoken phrases, or plays recordings of the user's own voice. All processing on-device, no install or account required, available in seven languages. Open source (MIT). (Added 2026)
  • Child Development Programs AAC Resources - E-learning courses and resources on AAC.
  • SRALab Augmentative and Alternative Communication Listing - A resource list including AAC blogs, websites, and books.
  • TherapyWorks The Most Popular AAC Devices - A blog post listing popular AAC devices.
  • CanAssisTech Augmentative Communication Aids - A collection of augmentative communication aids and accessories.
  • Speech and Language Kids AAC Apps - A review of AAC apps for children.
  • Towson University LibGuides AAC Apps - A research guide on AAC apps.
  • Digital Scribbler 5 Must-Have AAC Apps For Adults - A list of five essential AAC apps for adults.
  • AAC Board AI - Free, open-source AAC web app for symbol-based communication, with keyboard navigation, OBF/OBZ imports, multilingual interfaces, offline core features after initial load, and optional browser-provided on-device AI.

Education & Training

Community & Organizations

Connect with the accessibility community:

Accessibility Optimization Frameworks

Discover systematic approaches for continually improving accessibility:

Compliance Standards & Guidelines

Ensuring conformance to accessibility regulations:

Assistive Technology Devices

Hardware and peripherals increasing accessibility:

Research Publications

Latest academic papers and findings related to accessibility:

Events & Conferences

Low Vision Accessibility

Tools and resources for users with partial sight and color blindness:

Blind Accessibility

Tools and resources for users who are blind:

  • BlindAssist - An open-source Android research prototype for on-device assistive perception with accessible speech and vibration feedback, reproducible checks, and documented safety limitations.
  • NVDA screen reader - Popular open source screen reader for blind or vision impaired users on Windows.
  • VoiceOver screen reader - Built-in screen reader for blind or low vision users on macOS and iOS.
  • JAWS - Leading screen reader for Windows users who are blind or visually impaired.
  • TalkBack (Android) - Official Android screen reader with gesture navigation, braille display support, voice feedback, and integration with Google services. Built into Android OS. Free. (Enhanced 2025)
  • Orca Screen Reader (Linux) - Free, open-source screen reader for GNOME desktop (Linux) with speech synthesis, braille display support, and keyboard navigation. Actively maintained by the GNOME Project. Works with Firefox, LibreOffice, and GNOME applications. Free. (Enhanced 2025)
  • Narrator (Windows 11) - Built-in Windows screen reader with significant Windows 11 improvements including natural voices, enhanced braille support, better application compatibility, and improved navigation features. Free with Windows. Continuously updated by Microsoft. (Added 2025)
  • BrailleNote Touch Plus - Powerful braille notetaker with a built-in screen reader, offering a tactile braille display and a touchscreen for users who are blind or have low vision.
  • Braille displays - Tactile displays that convert text to braille for blind users.
  • Be My Eyes - App connecting blind users with sighted volunteers for visual assistance.
  • Seeing AI - App that describes surroundings for blind users using computer vision.
  • Lookout - Google's app to help blind users identify objects and navigate their environment.
  • Aira - On-demand visual interpreting service for blind users.
  • Envision AI - App that reads text aloud and describes scenes for blind users.
  • Voice Dream Reader - Text-to-speech app for reading digital content.
  • KNFB Reader - App that converts printed text to speech for blind users.
  • WebAIM Screen Reader Survey - Results from surveys of screen reader users.
  • AppleVis - A community-driven website for blind and low-vision users of Apple products.
  • A11Y Project Screen Reader Guide - Practical guide for developers on how to use VoiceOver screen reader for testing web accessibility, with tips applicable to other screen readers.
  • Deque University Screen Reader Basics - Resource for learning about various screen readers, their usage, and how to test for compatibility across different platforms.
  • APH Screen Reader Comparison - Detailed comparison of popular screen readers including NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver, helping users choose the best option for their needs.
  • Brailliant BI X Series - Refreshable braille displays with multiple connectivity options, compatible with screen readers across devices for braille output.
  • WebAIM Assistive Technologies - Guide on various assistive technologies, including screen readers, screen magnifiers, and alternative input devices.
  • Microsoft Accessibility Assistive Technology - Information on built-in accessibility features in Microsoft products, including screen readers, speech recognition, magnification, and other assistive technologies.
  • PulseTime - Haptic clock for Pebble, Wear OS, and Garmin that tells the time through vibration patterns, with lessons for learning the rhythm and large high-contrast digits for anyone who can use them. Built for a blind friend; open source (MIT). (Added 2026)

Motor Control Accessibility

Tools and resources for users with motor impairments:

  • OptiKey - On-screen keyboard usable through eye-tracking.
  • Switch Access Devices - Devices activated by buttons, switches, joysticks and keyboards for motor impairments.
  • Tobii Dynavox eye trackers - Eye gaze interaction for communication devices and computer control.
  • EyeControl - Wearable eye-tracking device that enables ALS and locked-in patients to communicate using eye movements.
  • Windows Speech Recognition - Built-in voice control for Windows.
  • Voice Control - Built-in voice control for Mac and iOS devices.
  • Android Voice Access - Voice control for Android devices.
  • Sip-and-puff switches - Breath-activated switches for users with limited mobility.
  • Head tracking systems - Control devices using head movements.
  • MouseKeys - Windows feature for controlling mouse with keyboard.
  • Xbox Adaptive Controller - Accessible gaming controller for users with limited mobility.
  • Switch Access - Android accessibility feature for controlling devices using switches.
  • Glassouse - Hands-free mouse alternative worn like glasses, controlled by head movements and bites, designed for people with limited hand mobility.
  • Grid Pad - Versatile communication aid with multiple access methods including touch, switch, and eye gaze. Comes with Grid 3 software for symbol and text-based communication.
  • Proloquo2Go - Symbol-supported AAC app for iOS devices with customizable vocabulary, natural-sounding voices, and motor planning support for efficient communication.
  • Jabbla Mind Express - Versatile AAC software for various devices, offering symbol and text-based communication with advanced features like eye gaze control and environmental control.
  • Voiceitt Speech Recognition Technology - Voice recognition that translates non-standard speech into standard speech, allowing people with speech disabilities to communicate with devices and others.
  • Tobii Dynavox - Range of eye-tracking and AAC devices, including the I-Series which combines eye tracking with speech generation for individuals with complex communication needs.
  • Recite Me Assistive Technology for Physical Disabilities - Information on assistive technologies for physical disabilities.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Accessibility

Tools and resources for users with hearing impairments:

  • Phonak Roger - Wireless microphone technology that improves speech understanding in noise and over distance for people with hearing loss.
  • Live Caption - Real-time captioning for Android devices.
  • Otter.ai - Automated transcription service for meetings and conversations.
  • Trippi (OSS) - Open-source, MIT-licensed Chrome extension that captures a browser tab's audio and shows live translated captions over Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams calls, using Deepgram for speech recognition and DeepL for translation.
  • Video Relay Service (VRS) - Video calling service that connects deaf users with hearing people through sign language interpreters.
  • Sorenson - Video relay service and communication solutions for deaf users.
  • Hearing loop systems - Assistive listening technology for hearing aid users.
  • FM systems - Wireless technology to improve hearing in noisy environments.
  • Vibrating alarm clocks - Tactile alarm systems for deaf users from Diglo (formerly Harris Communications).
  • Flashing doorbell alerts - Visual notification systems for home use from Diglo (formerly Harris Communications).
  • TTY/TDD - Text telephone devices for deaf users.
  • Web Captioner - Open-source real-time captioning tool (hosted service retired; source code available on GitHub).
  • Closed Caption Creator - Tool for creating closed captions for videos.
  • Picute - Automated subtitle and caption generator with free, no-signup browser tools to convert and repair subtitle files (SRT, VTT, ASS) for accessible video.
  • Caption and Subtitles Guidelines - W3C guidelines for captions and subtitles.
  • Caption readability check - Practical pre-publication guide for checking caption timing, overlaps, line length, reading speed, and SRT/VTT structure without presenting style thresholds as WCAG guarantees.
  • ASL Browser - American Sign Language dictionary with video demonstrations.
  • Merlin Hearing Aid - Starkey's hearing aid platform with fall detection, language translation, and health tracking features.

Cognitive Accessibility

Tools and resources for users with cognitive disabilities:

  • Assistive Technology Tools and Resources - Curated list of assistive technology tools and apps for people with learning disabilities.
  • ReadSpeaker - Text-to-speech software for reading comprehension support.
  • Kurzweil 3000 - Reading and writing support software for students with learning differences.
  • Grammarly - Writing assistance software that helps with grammar, spelling, and clarity.
  • Ginger - Writing enhancement software with grammar and spell checking.
  • SimpleMind - Mind mapping software for organizing thoughts and ideas.
  • Inspiration - Visual learning and thinking software for concept mapping.
  • Memory aids - Tools and strategies for memory support.
  • Easy reading browsers - Simplified browsing tools and techniques for users with cognitive disabilities.
  • Symbol-based communication - Visual communication tools using symbols and pictures.
  • Easy Read Guidelines - Resources and guidelines for creating Easy Read documents.
  • Hemingway Editor - Writing tool that highlights complex sentences, passive voice, and readability issues with grade-level scores. Aims for clear, concise writing. Free web version; paid desktop app available. (Enhanced 2025)
  • PlainLanguage.gov - Federal Guidelines - Official U.S. federal plain language guidelines mandated by the Plain Writing Act of 2010. Standards for clear government communications, with guidance on sentence structure (average 20 words), limiting ideas per sentence, and organizing content for easy understanding. Free government resource. (Added 2025)
  • CDC Plain Language Resources - CDC's plain language materials for health communications, with focus on accessibility and health literacy. Includes writing tips: limit sentences to 1 idea, keep paragraphs to 5 sentences and 1 topic. Free government resource. (Added 2025)
  • Federal Plain Language Guidelines - Detailed plain language implementation guide from Digital.gov for federal agencies. Covers writing principles, organizing content, and designing accessible documents. Required by law for federal agencies. Free resource. (Added 2025)
  • Dyslexia Style Guide - Guide for making content dyslexia-friendly.
  • ADHD-Friendly Design Guidelines - W3C resources on cognitive accessibility, including design patterns for attention and focus.
  • Brain.fm - Functional music designed to improve focus, relaxation, and sleep, using rhythmic patterns to support deep work.
  • Goblin.tools - Collection of small, single-task tools for people who find certain tasks overwhelming, including a task breakdown feature and tone estimator.
  • Structured - Visual day planner app with a timeline-based interface, particularly helpful for individuals with time blindness.
  • Focusmate - Virtual coworking platform that pairs users for live, focused work sessions using body doubling.
  • OpenDyslexic - Free typeface designed to increase readability for readers with dyslexia, with unique letter shapes to prevent confusion.
  • Institute for Human Centered Design - Resources, consulting, and training on universal design and accessibility, focused on enhancing experiences for people of all abilities and backgrounds.
  • Dopastep - Body doubling in live focus rooms: break a task into small steps, then work alongside other people in synced focus and break cycles. No camera, chat or booking.

Speech Recognition Accessibility

Tools and resources for voice-based interaction:

  • AI Dictation - Cross-platform voice typing with offline recognition on supported devices and optional cloud transcription. It may reduce keyboard use in standard text fields; operating-system and application restrictions apply.
  • Windows Speech Recognition - Built-in voice control for Windows operating systems.
  • Voice Control - Built-in voice control for Mac and iOS devices.
  • Android Voice Access - Voice control for Android devices.
  • Siri - Apple's voice assistant for iOS and macOS devices.
  • Google Assistant - Google's voice assistant for Android and other devices.
  • Amazon Alexa - Amazon's voice assistant platform.
  • Speeko - Speech coaching app with real-time feedback.
  • Voice training apps - Resources for improving speech clarity and pronunciation from ASHA.
  • Voice amplifiers - Portable devices to amplify voice for users with weak vocal projection.
  • Speech therapy apps - Resources and apps for speech and language development from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
  • Google Speech-to-Text - API for converting speech to text.
  • Talon Voice - Hands-free computer control with voice and eye tracking.
  • Dictation.io - Free online dictation tool.
  • DailyVox - Voice-first diary for iPhone. On-device speech recognition works fully offline — speak instead of type. Automatic mood tracking uses sentiment analysis. No data collection. (App Store)
  • Vocalinux - Free offline voice dictation for Linux desktops. Local speech recognition (whisper.cpp, Whisper, or VOSK) types into any app on X11 and Wayland; useful for RSI, limited typing, and privacy-sensitive workflows.
  • YazSes - Free, open-source offline dictation for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Hold-to-talk rather than always-listening, so the speaker decides when recognition starts and stops; includes a dysfluency-friendly mode intended for stuttered and dysarthric speech. Runs entirely on-device, useful for RSI and privacy-sensitive work.
  • Voicefield - Open-source React library that turns a phone into a wireless microphone for any web form. Users scan a QR code, and speech recognition runs client-side on the phone — only text is relayed to the desktop. Works with the browser's built-in Web Speech API or cloud STT providers. Enables hands-free form input for users with motor disabilities or RSI. (Website) (MIT License)

Neurodiversity Accessibility

Tools and resources for neurodivergent users:

  • Forest - Focus and productivity app that helps users stay on task (helpful for ADHD).
  • RescueTime - Time tracking and productivity software for managing focus and attention.
  • Focus - Website and app blocker for improved concentration.
  • Todoist - Task management app with features helpful for executive function.
  • Evernote - Note-taking app for organizing thoughts and information.
  • Notion - All-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, and project management.
  • Proloquo2Go - AAC app particularly useful for autism spectrum users.
  • Social Stories - Structured stories to help autistic individuals understand social situations.
  • Sensory apps - Apps designed to provide sensory input and regulation.
  • Mindfulness apps - Meditation and mindfulness apps for stress and anxiety management.
  • Noise-cancelling headphones - Audio equipment for sensory regulation.
  • Stim Toy Box - Blog reviewing fidget and sensory tools for regulation and focus.
  • Visual timers - Visual countdown timers for time management support.
  • Autism crisis communication cards - Free, phone-friendly communication support for moments when sensory overload makes speaking difficult. Available in English and Dutch without tracking; printable templates are open source.
  • Autism Accessibility Guidelines - Design guidance for sensory and other access needs.
  • Animation Sensitivity Guidelines - Designing with reduced motion to avoid triggering vestibular disorders.
  • Focus Mode Extensions - Browser extensions to reduce distractions.
  • Microsoft Accessibility Features - Focus assistance and other accommodations for neurodivergent users.
  • Safari Reader Mode - Simplified webpage reading experience in Safari.

Data & Datasets

Automated Accessibility Tools

  • Visme - Content creation platform with built-in accessibility features, including text-to-speech, auto-captioning, and an accessibility checker.
  • Voiceitt - Personalized speech recognition for individuals with non-standard speech patterns, enabling them to communicate and control smart devices.
  • Cognixion ONE - Wearable device that combines a brain-computer interface (BCI) with augmented reality to help individuals with severe motor impairments communicate.
  • RatedWithAI - Automated website accessibility scanner that checks sites for ADA and WCAG compliance issues, providing instant audits with actionable recommendations. Free scanner available.
  • AccessCheck – Free web accessibility scanner that runs Playwright and axe-core against any URL to identify WCAG 2.1 violations, with detailed remediation guidance and exportable reports.
  • TrustYourWebsite - Automated website accessibility and compliance scanner for EU and UK small businesses, built on axe-core. Reports WCAG issues only and injects nothing into the page (not an overlay). The free scan returns a risk score and issue counts.
  • WCAG Watch - Automated technical WCAG/EAA monitoring for EU-facing sites, built on axe-core. Free instant scan; paid continuous monitoring from €29/mo. Note: automated scanners catch only an estimated 25–33% of WCAG issues — not a substitute for a human audit or legal/compliance certification.

Gaming Accessibility

  • PlayStation Access Controller - A highly customizable controller kit for the PS5, allowing gamers with disabilities to create personalized controller layouts.
  • Xbox Adaptive Joystick - Adaptive joystick from Xbox, designed to work with the Xbox Adaptive Controller (released 2025).
  • Game Accessibility Guidelines - Straightforward reference for inclusive game design, with actionable guidance for developers.
  • Can I Play That? - Disability-led game accessibility review site, covering new releases with detailed breakdowns of accessibility features.
  • Makers Making Change - Open-source assistive switches, joysticks, and accessories designed to work with adaptive controllers, offering affordable and customizable options.
  • Microsoft Accessible Games Initiative Tags - Accessibility feature tags for Xbox games, letting players know before purchase what accessibility features a game includes.
  • AbleGamers Charity - Nonprofit that creates opportunities for players with disabilities through grants, custom setups, and the Player Panels program.

Education & Certification

  • IAAP CPACC Certification - Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies, a foundational cross-disciplinary certification covering disabilities, universal design, standards, and laws.
  • Deque University - Online training courses on web accessibility, WCAG, ARIA, and accessible document design.
  • Axe-con - Free virtual conference on digital accessibility from Deque, bringing together developers, designers, and accessibility professionals.
  • Accessibility Craft Podcast - Podcast covering web accessibility topics, with recordings from the WordPress Accessibility Meetup.
  • Carrie on Accessibility - YouTube channel with tutorials and discussions on accessibility topics from a blind user's perspective.

Compliance & Legal

Accessibility Packages and Tools

All-in-One Widgets

  • Dock Access - Commercial accessibility suite that includes a user-facing widget, automated audits, continuous monitoring, and manual audits. (Free browser extension and paid services)
  • Accessibilik - React-based accessibility widget with a wide range of features. (MIT License)
  • All-in-One Accessibility - Widget for Django, Wagtail, and Plone. (MIT License, wraps a commercial service)
  • acc_toolbar - Lightweight, dependency-free JavaScript accessibility toolbar. (MIT License)
  • Sienna Accessibility Widget - Free, lightweight accessibility widget.
  • have-wcag - A new, comprehensive WCAG accessibility toolkit with a widget and auditor. (MIT License)

Testing & Auditing

  • axe-core - The industry-standard accessibility testing engine. (MPL-2.0 License)
  • eslint-plugin-jsx-a11y - Static analysis plugin for identifying accessibility issues in JSX. (MIT License)
  • tota11y - An accessibility visualization toolkit. (MIT License)
  • python-a11y-playwright - Python integration of axe-core with Playwright for automated accessibility testing. (MIT License)
  • aria-query - JavaScript utility for querying WAI-ARIA role and property metadata, used by accessibility testing tools like jest-axe and axe-core.
  • accessibility-devkit - Framework-agnostic TypeScript toolkit with eight packages mapped to WCAG success criteria: audit (axe-core + ESLint), components (focus traps, dialogs, menus), accommodations (color blindness, contrast, dyslexia typography, text spacing), motor (target size, pointer cancellation, dragging alternatives, tremor tolerance), cognitive (session timeouts, redundant-entry memory, accessible authentication, undo), language (readability scoring, plain-language flags, abbreviations), media (captions, autoplay-audio control, transcripts), and motion (reduced-motion gating, flash metering). (MIT License)
  • @holmdigital/engine - WCAG testing engine (hd-a11y-scan CLI) that maps failures to EN 301 549 and national accessibility law across 17 jurisdictions (16 countries plus the EU, sourced from the @holmdigital/standards database), with sector-aware enforcement routing (WAD/EAA), CI mode, and JUnit/PDF reporting. (MIT License)
  • Accesserty DevCheck - Browser extension that runs axe-core scans, focus path review, visual simulations, and PDF structure checks on the current page, including local, staging, and authenticated states.
  • squirrelscan - CLI website audit tool built for coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor) that crawls a site and runs 260+ rules across accessibility, SEO, performance and security, handing the agent exact fixes mapped to source files. Free local audits, GitHub Action for CI, MCP server. (MIT License)
  • ux-ui-audit - Browser probes that measure WCAG contrast, tap targets and focus-ring contrast, plus an Arabic/RTL engine for plural agreement, bidi hazards and letter-spacing on cursive script. (MIT License)

Accessible Component Libraries

  • React Aria - Unstyled, accessible React components and hooks from Adobe. (MIT License)
  • Radix UI - Unstyled, accessible component primitives for React. (MIT License)
  • Headless UI - Unstyled, accessible UI components for React and Vue from Tailwind Labs. (MIT License)
  • Chakra UI - Accessible React component library with built-in WAI-ARIA compliance. (MIT License)
  • Ariakit - Toolkit for building accessible web apps with React, providing low-level primitives with full WAI-ARIA support. (MIT License)
  • @holmdigital/components - Accessible React components including a regulation-ready AccessibilityStatement generator with legal templates in 12 locales (en, sv, no, fi, da, nl, de, fr, es, it, pt, pl, plus aliases). (MIT License)
  • Accesserty UI Kit - HTML-first accessible Web Components with built-in keyboard behavior and state management, usable with any framework or with plain HTML. (MIT License)

Specialized Tools

  • color-blind - Simulate color blindness by converting RGB hex codes. (MIT License)
  • focus-trap - A library for trapping focus within a DOM node. (MIT License)
  • NCSU Readability Widget - A vanilla JS widget focused on balancing competing accessibility needs. (No license specified)
  • color-contrast-checker - A library for checking color contrast ratios against WCAG AA and AAA standards. (MIT License)
  • WCAG Color Contrast Checker - Interactive foreground and background color contrast checker against WCAG 2.1 AA and AAA standards, with colorblindness simulation for four deficiency types, accessible color variant suggestions, and a markdown bug report for logging accessibility defects.
  • prefers-reduced-motion - CSS media query for detecting user preference for reduced motion, critical for epilepsy and vestibular disorder accommodation.
  • @fontsource/opendyslexic - Self-hosted OpenDyslexic font package for npm-based projects. (SIL Open Font License)
  • accessibility - An npm package providing an accessibility toolbar with text resizing, contrast, and link highlighting features. (MIT License)
  • ux-oss-safeguard - Content safety evaluator with WCAG 2.1 AA support, keyboard navigation, screen-reader support, and reduced-motion handling. Zero dependencies.
  • A11Y.md - Persistent accessibility context standard for AI coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor, Copilot, Gemini). Portable markdown with an AI behavior contract, WCAG 2.2 AA compliance profiles, 24 lazy-loaded component guides, and versioned evidence artifacts. English and Portuguese. (MIT License)

Automated Alt Text Tools

  • alt-images-ai - An npm package that auto-generates alt text for images using a language model. (MIT License)
  • alt-text - A Python package for finding, generating, and setting alt-text for images in HTML and EPUB files. (MIT License)

Note on Accessibility Overlays: All-in-one accessibility widgets (also called "overlays") are controversial in the accessibility community. While they provide user-facing options, experts argue they cannot replace code-level accessibility work and may interfere with users' own assistive technologies. The 2025 Web Almanac Accessibility Chapter provides further context on this debate. A layered approach combining automated testing, accessible components, and specialized tools is the recommended best practice.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome. Here's how you can help:

  1. Submit new resources: Found a good accessibility tool or resource? Open a PR.
  2. Report broken links: Help keep the list current by flagging dead or outdated links.
  3. Suggest improvements: Ideas for better organization or new categories are always appreciated.
  4. Add context: Descriptions, reviews, or additional detail on existing resources.

To contribute:

  • Create an issue in the repository
  • Submit a pull request with your changes
  • Follow the contribution guidelines
  • Make sure all links work and descriptions are accurate

Thanks for helping make this resource better.

License

Contents of this repository are released under the CC0 1.0 Universal license.

Author

Luke Steuber -- dr.eamer.dev | dr.eamer.dev/datavis | dr.eamer.dev/code

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Curated list of accessibility resources, tools, and best practices for creating inclusive digital experiences

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a11yaccessibilityassistive-technologyinclusive-designscreen-readerswcag

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