Ahmed Khalifa
@iamahmedkhalifa.com
- Works as a Digital Experience Manager
- Solves web accessibility/a11y at https://PurpleByte.io
- Discusses deaf awareness at https://HearMeOutCC.com
- Live in Edinburgh, UK
On a mission to make the internet more accessible, one byte at a time.
- Solves web accessibility/a11y at https://PurpleByte.io
- Discusses deaf awareness at https://HearMeOutCC.com
- Live in Edinburgh, UK
On a mission to make the internet more accessible, one byte at a time.
I've noticed Goodreads has launched a new logo. Normally a rebrand sparks lots of discussion and pushback from loyal fans and design pros. I’m neither, but I do have thoughts on two claims from their blog. Let’s break it down.
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July 24, 2025 at 8:44 AM
I've noticed Goodreads has launched a new logo. Normally a rebrand sparks lots of discussion and pushback from loyal fans and design pros. I’m neither, but I do have thoughts on two claims from their blog. Let’s break it down.
🧵
🧵
The conference paradox: I speak about accessibility on stage, then struggle to network afterwards due to the very barriers I just presented about.
The irony is... a lot. 😅
The irony is... a lot. 😅
July 14, 2025 at 9:25 AM
The conference paradox: I speak about accessibility on stage, then struggle to network afterwards due to the very barriers I just presented about.
The irony is... a lot. 😅
The irony is... a lot. 😅
One of my favourite @netflix.com series is 'Somebody Feed Phil', fronted by Phil Rosenthal. He’s not to everyone’s taste, but to me he’s hilarious and seems like great fun to spend the day with…provided food was involved.
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July 4, 2025 at 8:25 AM
One of my favourite @netflix.com series is 'Somebody Feed Phil', fronted by Phil Rosenthal. He’s not to everyone’s taste, but to me he’s hilarious and seems like great fun to spend the day with…provided food was involved.
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A plea to all accessibility specialists:
How do you currently track WCAG compliance across multiple clients/projects?
I'm building a tool that I believe will help you to solve this and need 15-30 min convos with you. I can't pay you but in return, I want to offer discounted lifetime access 🙏
How do you currently track WCAG compliance across multiple clients/projects?
I'm building a tool that I believe will help you to solve this and need 15-30 min convos with you. I can't pay you but in return, I want to offer discounted lifetime access 🙏
June 30, 2025 at 8:17 AM
A plea to all accessibility specialists:
How do you currently track WCAG compliance across multiple clients/projects?
I'm building a tool that I believe will help you to solve this and need 15-30 min convos with you. I can't pay you but in return, I want to offer discounted lifetime access 🙏
How do you currently track WCAG compliance across multiple clients/projects?
I'm building a tool that I believe will help you to solve this and need 15-30 min convos with you. I can't pay you but in return, I want to offer discounted lifetime access 🙏
It's not often I speak at an event where there is a sense of belonging amongst the attendees. That's what happened when I spoke at a recent Muslim Tech Fest.
You can see and feel it, when people are comfortable with each other, knowing that we are all in it together.
You can see and feel it, when people are comfortable with each other, knowing that we are all in it together.
June 24, 2025 at 10:11 AM
It's not often I speak at an event where there is a sense of belonging amongst the attendees. That's what happened when I spoke at a recent Muslim Tech Fest.
You can see and feel it, when people are comfortable with each other, knowing that we are all in it together.
You can see and feel it, when people are comfortable with each other, knowing that we are all in it together.
One week (on 21st June 2025) today is Muslim Tech Fest , and if you haven't gotten your ticket, you can get one now using the following discount code:
Ahmed
Oh, how is my first name used as a discount code?
🧵
Ahmed
Oh, how is my first name used as a discount code?
🧵
June 14, 2025 at 8:25 AM
One week (on 21st June 2025) today is Muslim Tech Fest , and if you haven't gotten your ticket, you can get one now using the following discount code:
Ahmed
Oh, how is my first name used as a discount code?
🧵
Ahmed
Oh, how is my first name used as a discount code?
🧵
1/7: The buzz and debate around Apple's "Liquid Glass" is real, but there's one conversation missing. How will it clash with the going trend of logos and icons that already looking eerily similar as it is?
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June 12, 2025 at 10:55 AM
1/7: The buzz and debate around Apple's "Liquid Glass" is real, but there's one conversation missing. How will it clash with the going trend of logos and icons that already looking eerily similar as it is?
🧵
🧵
Guess what happens when you've been a customer of a software company for a decade? You get to deliver a talk about accessibility. So of course, I had to bring my A-game for FreeAgent.
June 10, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Guess what happens when you've been a customer of a software company for a decade? You get to deliver a talk about accessibility. So of course, I had to bring my A-game for FreeAgent.
The danger for any companies using this tool is that they are culpable for any legal actions from having inaccessible websites, not Figma.
wooahh Figma's new Sites thing produces no semantic HTML at all. Every single element is a div. Incredibly inaccessible
Example:
plugin-value-scrum.figma.site
Example:
plugin-value-scrum.figma.site
Modern Product Launch
Build buzz around your launch with this bold product template. A clean, focused design that makes it easy to highlight features, share updates, and drive early interest.
plugin-value-scrum.figma.site
May 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The danger for any companies using this tool is that they are culpable for any legal actions from having inaccessible websites, not Figma.
I first noticed the Muslim Tech Fest community last year and was really impressed by their sense of unity, drive and ambitions. Now, I have the honour of speaking at their event in London on 21st June 2025 about digital accessibility.
[1/4]
[1/4]
May 1, 2025 at 9:43 AM
I first noticed the Muslim Tech Fest community last year and was really impressed by their sense of unity, drive and ambitions. Now, I have the honour of speaking at their event in London on 21st June 2025 about digital accessibility.
[1/4]
[1/4]
1/ It's official! The FTC has approved a $1M fine against accessiBe, an accessibility overlay company, for misleading claims about their products. This money may go to clients misled by their promises.
April 25, 2025 at 11:35 AM
1/ It's official! The FTC has approved a $1M fine against accessiBe, an accessibility overlay company, for misleading claims about their products. This money may go to clients misled by their promises.
There is growing trend of vendors promising your products complete accessibility, which means it will be accessible to everyone (*cough* like accessibility overlays).
But 100% accessibility is a myth. Here is why it’s impossible and what you should aim for instead:
purplebyte.io/blog/100-per...
But 100% accessibility is a myth. Here is why it’s impossible and what you should aim for instead:
purplebyte.io/blog/100-per...
100% accessibility: why it’s a myth and what to aim for instead
Learn why achieving 100% accessibility is a myth and why practical strategies for continuous improvement and realistic accessibility goals is better.
purplebyte.io
April 15, 2025 at 8:45 AM
There is growing trend of vendors promising your products complete accessibility, which means it will be accessible to everyone (*cough* like accessibility overlays).
But 100% accessibility is a myth. Here is why it’s impossible and what you should aim for instead:
purplebyte.io/blog/100-per...
But 100% accessibility is a myth. Here is why it’s impossible and what you should aim for instead:
purplebyte.io/blog/100-per...
A trio of simple pleasures that I love: coffee, book and lofi music all at the same time.
Pure bliss.
Pure bliss.
April 13, 2025 at 12:52 PM
A trio of simple pleasures that I love: coffee, book and lofi music all at the same time.
Pure bliss.
Pure bliss.
Some of my most happiest place in the world is to be in the middle of nowhere, high up a big hill or mountain, on my gravel bike.
Bonus if there's sunshine and blue sky...and yes, that can happen in Scotland.
A huge benefit of living in this country is the number of places that fits this criteria.
Bonus if there's sunshine and blue sky...and yes, that can happen in Scotland.
A huge benefit of living in this country is the number of places that fits this criteria.
April 10, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Some of my most happiest place in the world is to be in the middle of nowhere, high up a big hill or mountain, on my gravel bike.
Bonus if there's sunshine and blue sky...and yes, that can happen in Scotland.
A huge benefit of living in this country is the number of places that fits this criteria.
Bonus if there's sunshine and blue sky...and yes, that can happen in Scotland.
A huge benefit of living in this country is the number of places that fits this criteria.
Like many, I'm fascinated by AI and its potential. The latest trend of creating your own action figures and Studio Ghibli animations is mind-blowing! They're really impressive and highly realistic.
But I am hesitant to jump on the trend.
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But I am hesitant to jump on the trend.
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April 9, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Like many, I'm fascinated by AI and its potential. The latest trend of creating your own action figures and Studio Ghibli animations is mind-blowing! They're really impressive and highly realistic.
But I am hesitant to jump on the trend.
🧵
But I am hesitant to jump on the trend.
🧵
April Fool's Day can go in the bin
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April 1, 2025 at 3:44 PM
April Fool's Day can go in the bin
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I'm noticing a trend as we approach the European Accessibility Act in June 2025: agencies are suddenly claiming to be "experts" in web accessibility. Déjà vu, anyone?
Think GDPR when agencies popped up everywhere, claiming expertise in data protection, even if they'd never mentioned it before.
Think GDPR when agencies popped up everywhere, claiming expertise in data protection, even if they'd never mentioned it before.
March 6, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I'm noticing a trend as we approach the European Accessibility Act in June 2025: agencies are suddenly claiming to be "experts" in web accessibility. Déjà vu, anyone?
Think GDPR when agencies popped up everywhere, claiming expertise in data protection, even if they'd never mentioned it before.
Think GDPR when agencies popped up everywhere, claiming expertise in data protection, even if they'd never mentioned it before.
I never thought I'd be living in a world where DEI is being blamed for causing a tragedy. So grim!
January 30, 2025 at 10:22 PM
I never thought I'd be living in a world where DEI is being blamed for causing a tragedy. So grim!
What costs and ROI metrics should you consider for web accessibility?
My latest blog post looks at all kinds of metrics that you can practically measure and track to maximise your accessibility investment.
My latest blog post looks at all kinds of metrics that you can practically measure and track to maximise your accessibility investment.
The costs & ROI metrics to consider in web accessibility | PurpleByte
Learn about the costs and ROI metrics for implementing web accessibility to better understand how you can benchmark and monitor your metrics.
purplebyte.io
January 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
What costs and ROI metrics should you consider for web accessibility?
My latest blog post looks at all kinds of metrics that you can practically measure and track to maximise your accessibility investment.
My latest blog post looks at all kinds of metrics that you can practically measure and track to maximise your accessibility investment.
With DEI & accessibility cuts in major companies, being an ally matters more than ever. When they cut these positions, they didn't eliminate the need—they shifted it to everyone who builds, designs, or creates. Your role isn't optional. It never was.
January 24, 2025 at 9:33 AM
With DEI & accessibility cuts in major companies, being an ally matters more than ever. When they cut these positions, they didn't eliminate the need—they shifted it to everyone who builds, designs, or creates. Your role isn't optional. It never was.
For years, I've been using Goodreads and @thestorygraph.com at the same time for my book reading journey.
But I've decided to break up with the former and commit to The Storygraph all the way.
www.iamahmedkhalifa.com/broke-up-wit...
But I've decided to break up with the former and commit to The Storygraph all the way.
www.iamahmedkhalifa.com/broke-up-wit...
Why I broke up with Goodreads (and using The StoryGraph instead)
Every time you log a book on Goodreads, you feed data into Amazon’s vast ecosystem while putting up with a stagnating platform. Your reading habits, interests, and the pace at which you consume books become valuable data points for the world’s largest retailer.
For years, I ignored this
www.iamahmedkhalifa.com
January 23, 2025 at 2:09 PM
For years, I've been using Goodreads and @thestorygraph.com at the same time for my book reading journey.
But I've decided to break up with the former and commit to The Storygraph all the way.
www.iamahmedkhalifa.com/broke-up-wit...
But I've decided to break up with the former and commit to The Storygraph all the way.
www.iamahmedkhalifa.com/broke-up-wit...
Honestly, the amount of time I listen to Final Fantasy VII soundtrack in the background while I work...🎧
I love listening to various movies and videos games soundtrack while working.
No lyrics to focus on, it's captivating yet not distracting, and gets you deeply focused.
#FFVII
I love listening to various movies and videos games soundtrack while working.
No lyrics to focus on, it's captivating yet not distracting, and gets you deeply focused.
#FFVII
January 17, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Honestly, the amount of time I listen to Final Fantasy VII soundtrack in the background while I work...🎧
I love listening to various movies and videos games soundtrack while working.
No lyrics to focus on, it's captivating yet not distracting, and gets you deeply focused.
#FFVII
I love listening to various movies and videos games soundtrack while working.
No lyrics to focus on, it's captivating yet not distracting, and gets you deeply focused.
#FFVII
Serious question: is it possible to be an ethical billionaire?
January 9, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Serious question: is it possible to be an ethical billionaire?
1/9 A recent interaction between Amber Hinds (respected accessibility expert & CEO) and WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg has been shared, and it really baffles me.
It reminds me of similar pushback I've received about accessibility from Matt when asking questions.
It reminds me of similar pushback I've received about accessibility from Matt when asking questions.
The tone-policing “just asking questions” BDFL is back and being as hostile to accessibility concerns as ever, trotting out the tired argument that art is the same as design.
I have a canned response for that absurd argument:
adrianroselli.com/2021/05/embr...
I have a canned response for that absurd argument:
adrianroselli.com/2021/05/embr...
![Amber Hinds on Twitter: What I see on this post: 1. Color contrast failures. 2. Unreadable fonts. 3. #WCAG 2.2.2 failure (snowfall animation). #WordPress themes need more #a11y and expected interfaces that convert. Not "weird" designs that confuse people or kill time on site. [URL]
Matt Mullenweg response: You’re tipping into net negative contribution territory.
Matt Mullenweg additional response: Like at what point do you say a Rothko painting isn’t high contrast enough?](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ywbpnet7rxpj7srlvut3g34x/bafkreiftt6vtcjjr5cscnqiepxzmwx6p6kzzc4dnbuyi4mefrpgmx7o3ju@jpeg)
January 7, 2025 at 10:48 AM
1/9 A recent interaction between Amber Hinds (respected accessibility expert & CEO) and WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg has been shared, and it really baffles me.
It reminds me of similar pushback I've received about accessibility from Matt when asking questions.
It reminds me of similar pushback I've received about accessibility from Matt when asking questions.
For years, I've been using Goodreads. And then I discovered @thestorygraph.com a few years ago and LOVE their process. After using the two platforms side-by-side, I've officially deleted my Goodreads account.
It's not run by Amazon and it's looked after much better (even though it's just 3 people).
It's not run by Amazon and it's looked after much better (even though it's just 3 people).
January 4, 2025 at 1:24 PM
For years, I've been using Goodreads. And then I discovered @thestorygraph.com a few years ago and LOVE their process. After using the two platforms side-by-side, I've officially deleted my Goodreads account.
It's not run by Amazon and it's looked after much better (even though it's just 3 people).
It's not run by Amazon and it's looked after much better (even though it's just 3 people).