Focusing on Focus with Chris DeMars

• What we'll do
When we think of CSS and Accessibility, what comes to mind? Is it adding alt attributes to image tags? How about color contrast? Is :focus given that much thought since browser's style these by default? Often, focus outlines are turned off in CSS to meet non-inclusive design standards, but this causes problems for keyboard users. How can we make the web a more inclusive place while maintaining design intent?.

As we build more and more things on the web, we must do our part in building awesome, accessible user experiences. Except native default browser styling of the :focus pseudo class is rather blah, don't you think? There has to be a better way to add some pizzazz to elements when users navigate without a mouse. In this talk, I will demo numerous ways to provide custom focus styles despite known limitations in the web platform. For users with disabilities, it's imperative that visual design finds a way to meet in the middle.

--
About Chris:
Chris DeMars is a UI developer first, UX architect always, working out of Detroit, Michigan.
Chris loves coming up with solutions for enterprise applications, which include modular CSS architectures, performance, and advocating for Web accessibility. He serves as a co-organizer for the Ann Arbor Accessibility Group, and is also an instructor, teacher assistant, and volunteer for the Ann Arbor and Detroit chapters of Girl Develop It.
When he is not working on making the web great and inclusive, you can find him writing blog posts, hosting the Tales From The Script podcast, watching horror movies, drinking the finest of beers, or in the woods of northern Michigan.

• What to bring

• Important to know