Considering Accessibility & Assistive Tech as a Python Developer

The Real Python Podcast

What’s it like to learn Python as a visually impaired or blind developer? How can you improve the accessibility of your Python web applications and learn current guidelines? This week on the show, Real Python community member Audrey van Breederode discusses her programming journey, web accessibility, and assistive technology.

Audrey shares her background as a system administrator and instructor. While she was learning Python, she discovered Real Python. Audrey provided some feedback about the built-in video player’s accessibility. Dan reached out and worked with Audrey on some website improvements for the visually impaired.

We discuss navigating modern websites and using assistive technology. Audrey also provides resources Python developers can use to improve the accessibility of their applications.

Course Spotlight: HTML and CSS Foundations for Python Developers

There’s no way around HTML and CSS when you want to build web apps. Even if you’re not aiming to become a web developer, knowing the basics of HTML and CSS will help you understand the Web better. In this video course, you’ll get an introduction to HTML and CSS for Python programmers.

Topics:

• 00:00:00 – Introduction
• 00:03:12 – Work background
• 00:08:30 – Language for assistive tools and programming
• 00:10:30 – What led you to learning Python?
• 00:13:48 – Screen readers, braille display, and white space
• 00:17:22 – Discovering Real Python
• 00:22:41 – Accessibility survey and navigating websites
• 00:30:04 – Digging deeper into learning Python
• 00:35:42 – Video Course Spotlight
• 00:37:03 – Navigating changes in code
• 00:39:53 – Working with the terminal
• 00:42:14 – Accessibility of Python GUI libraries
• 00:44:22 – Django framework
• 00:47:11 – Screen readers and JAWS
• 00:53:19 – What are you excited about in the world of assistive technology?
• 00:57:03 – What are you excited about in the world of Python?
• 00:59:11 – What do you want to learn next?
• 01:00:09 – Thanks and goodbye

Show Links:

• JAWS® – Freedom Scientific
• What is JAWS? - YouTube
• Retinal detachment - Wikipedia
• Focus 80 Blue 5th Gen – Freedom Scientific
• WebAIM: Screen Reader User Survey #10 Results
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2
• SecureCRT - The rock-solid Telnet and SSH client for Windows, macOS, and Linux
• P1 Monitor docker container for smart meters - Marcel Claassen
• Python Basics: Introduction to Python (Learning Path) – Real Python
• The web framework for perfectionists with deadlines - Django
• Surf’s Up! Surfing the Internet with JAWS
• NV Access - Download NVDA
• Picture Smart Challenges – Freedom Scientific

Level up your Python skills with our expert-led courses:

• Getting Started With Django: Building a Portfolio App
• Python Basics: Dictionaries
• HTML and CSS Foundations for Python Developers

Support the podcast & join our community of Pythonistas