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.
So, their two points, accessibility and the hidden meaning in the ‘g’—almost contradict each other. If it’s not clear, so is it truly accessible?
What do you think? You can read their blog post about it here: www.goodreads.com/blog/show/29...
What do you think? You can read their blog post about it here: www.goodreads.com/blog/show/29...
July 24, 2025 at 8:45 AM
So, their two points, accessibility and the hidden meaning in the ‘g’—almost contradict each other. If it’s not clear, so is it truly accessible?
What do you think? You can read their blog post about it here: www.goodreads.com/blog/show/29...
What do you think? You can read their blog post about it here: www.goodreads.com/blog/show/29...
I get that once you know, you know. But even with the explanation, their depiction is still a stretch. It’s kind of there, but not obvious.
And how many people will actually read the blog post to learn this backstory? Unless you have an interest in this like I do, I suspect most will not.
And how many people will actually read the blog post to learn this backstory? Unless you have an interest in this like I do, I suspect most will not.
July 24, 2025 at 8:45 AM
I get that once you know, you know. But even with the explanation, their depiction is still a stretch. It’s kind of there, but not obvious.
And how many people will actually read the blog post to learn this backstory? Unless you have an interest in this like I do, I suspect most will not.
And how many people will actually read the blog post to learn this backstory? Unless you have an interest in this like I do, I suspect most will not.
Eventually, I gave up and checked their explanation. Apparently, it's a magnifying glass over an open book.
Honestly, my first impression was that it looked like a person kneeling and praying, almost monk-like. Even after knowing the answer, I had to squint to see their intended design.
Honestly, my first impression was that it looked like a person kneeling and praying, almost monk-like. Even after knowing the answer, I had to squint to see their intended design.
July 24, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Eventually, I gave up and checked their explanation. Apparently, it's a magnifying glass over an open book.
Honestly, my first impression was that it looked like a person kneeling and praying, almost monk-like. Even after knowing the answer, I had to squint to see their intended design.
Honestly, my first impression was that it looked like a person kneeling and praying, almost monk-like. Even after knowing the answer, I had to squint to see their intended design.
Their second claim: “The lowercase ‘g’ incorporates a magnifying glass over an open book.” This is where it gets interesting. Whenever there’s a new logo, I play a game: can I guess what it’s supposed to be?
This time, I stared at it for a while and just couldn’t see what it's supposed to be.
This time, I stared at it for a while and just couldn’t see what it's supposed to be.
July 24, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Their second claim: “The lowercase ‘g’ incorporates a magnifying glass over an open book.” This is where it gets interesting. Whenever there’s a new logo, I play a game: can I guess what it’s supposed to be?
This time, I stared at it for a while and just couldn’t see what it's supposed to be.
This time, I stared at it for a while and just couldn’t see what it's supposed to be.
First, they say the logo is “optimized for accessibility so it looks clear and sharp no matter where you see it.” Maybe! The bolder font and type choice could help on different platforms.
But I don’t have a visual disability, so I can’t confirm how accessible it truly is.
But I don’t have a visual disability, so I can’t confirm how accessible it truly is.
July 24, 2025 at 8:44 AM
First, they say the logo is “optimized for accessibility so it looks clear and sharp no matter where you see it.” Maybe! The bolder font and type choice could help on different platforms.
But I don’t have a visual disability, so I can’t confirm how accessible it truly is.
But I don’t have a visual disability, so I can’t confirm how accessible it truly is.
Because truly inclusive events don't just talk about accessibility, they live it. I've written more about reimagining conference networking here: www.iamahmedkhalifa.com/conference-p...
What's your conference networking experience like? 💭
What's your conference networking experience like? 💭
July 14, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Because truly inclusive events don't just talk about accessibility, they live it. I've written more about reimagining conference networking here: www.iamahmedkhalifa.com/conference-p...
What's your conference networking experience like? 💭
What's your conference networking experience like? 💭
But here's the hopeful bit: small changes make huge differences. Quiet networking spaces, better acoustics, flexible formats, clearer communication.
It's not about creating special accommodations, just good design that works for everyone even other for the organisers and attendees.
It's not about creating special accommodations, just good design that works for everyone even other for the organisers and attendees.
July 14, 2025 at 9:25 AM
But here's the hopeful bit: small changes make huge differences. Quiet networking spaces, better acoustics, flexible formats, clearer communication.
It's not about creating special accommodations, just good design that works for everyone even other for the organisers and attendees.
It's not about creating special accommodations, just good design that works for everyone even other for the organisers and attendees.
Every networking break becomes a calculation for me:
Do I have energy left? Can I position myself where I can actually hear? Will I catch what they're saying over the keynote speaker's mic? Will we catch the conversation during those hallway conversations?
Do I have energy left? Can I position myself where I can actually hear? Will I catch what they're saying over the keynote speaker's mic? Will we catch the conversation during those hallway conversations?
July 14, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Every networking break becomes a calculation for me:
Do I have energy left? Can I position myself where I can actually hear? Will I catch what they're saying over the keynote speaker's mic? Will we catch the conversation during those hallway conversations?
Do I have energy left? Can I position myself where I can actually hear? Will I catch what they're saying over the keynote speaker's mic? Will we catch the conversation during those hallway conversations?
Those "ultimate networking experiences" conferences promise? They're built for one type of person.
Bright lights, constant chatter, rapid-fire convos, juggling coffee and name badges, noisy background...and then your energy depletes rapidly (it does for me)
What if that's not how you thrive? 🤷🏽
Bright lights, constant chatter, rapid-fire convos, juggling coffee and name badges, noisy background...and then your energy depletes rapidly (it does for me)
What if that's not how you thrive? 🤷🏽
July 14, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Those "ultimate networking experiences" conferences promise? They're built for one type of person.
Bright lights, constant chatter, rapid-fire convos, juggling coffee and name badges, noisy background...and then your energy depletes rapidly (it does for me)
What if that's not how you thrive? 🤷🏽
Bright lights, constant chatter, rapid-fire convos, juggling coffee and name badges, noisy background...and then your energy depletes rapidly (it does for me)
What if that's not how you thrive? 🤷🏽
That kind of attention to detail is what makes the show so engaging. It’s not just about the food or the places, it’s about the personality, the humour, and the little moments that make you feel like you’re right there with Phil.
It's that little extra flavour that makes it all the more delicious
It's that little extra flavour that makes it all the more delicious
July 4, 2025 at 8:25 AM
That kind of attention to detail is what makes the show so engaging. It’s not just about the food or the places, it’s about the personality, the humour, and the little moments that make you feel like you’re right there with Phil.
It's that little extra flavour that makes it all the more delicious
It's that little extra flavour that makes it all the more delicious
Case in point is in the image attached:
in one episode, Phil tries to pronounce a German word but totally butchers it. Instead of just writing [attempting to speak German], the caption reads [speaks German-flavored gibberish]. It’s a small detail, but it made me laugh but also appreciate it.
in one episode, Phil tries to pronounce a German word but totally butchers it. Instead of just writing [attempting to speak German], the caption reads [speaks German-flavored gibberish]. It’s a small detail, but it made me laugh but also appreciate it.
![A still in an episode of 'Somebody Feed Phil' where Phil Rosenthal is making a facial expression that implies he is trying. The caption reads "Not so much [speaks German-flavored gibberish] in the pronounciation, right?](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:nuhfqqckcciwobzm7fddfahr/bafkreidr2wajj3o3snezdjt6j2uvqv77sbckfykqsfqwbdl3b662vhuehi@jpeg)
July 4, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Case in point is in the image attached:
in one episode, Phil tries to pronounce a German word but totally butchers it. Instead of just writing [attempting to speak German], the caption reads [speaks German-flavored gibberish]. It’s a small detail, but it made me laugh but also appreciate it.
in one episode, Phil tries to pronounce a German word but totally butchers it. Instead of just writing [attempting to speak German], the caption reads [speaks German-flavored gibberish]. It’s a small detail, but it made me laugh but also appreciate it.
Back to the show: another reason I love it is Netflix’s captioning. Not only is it accurate, but there’s a deliberate effort to make it more than just functional, without going overboard. It adds a layer of enjoyment for viewers like me.
July 4, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Back to the show: another reason I love it is Netflix’s captioning. Not only is it accurate, but there’s a deliberate effort to make it more than just functional, without going overboard. It adds a layer of enjoyment for viewers like me.
The show combines everything I love about travel, culture, and food. Whenever I go abroad, I make a conscious effort to eat something local or something I’ve never tried before. If it’s both, even better.
July 4, 2025 at 8:25 AM
The show combines everything I love about travel, culture, and food. Whenever I go abroad, I make a conscious effort to eat something local or something I’ve never tried before. If it’s both, even better.
A huge thanks goes to the co-organisers inviting me to speak at the event and to allow to talk about the importance and power of accessibility in the online world. It's always refreshing to see organisers wanting to make sure that the topic of accessibility is amongst their agenda.
June 24, 2025 at 10:11 AM
A huge thanks goes to the co-organisers inviting me to speak at the event and to allow to talk about the importance and power of accessibility in the online world. It's always refreshing to see organisers wanting to make sure that the topic of accessibility is amongst their agenda.
There are so many people to thank, whether it's online, stopping me to thank me for the talk in the hallway or even for a quick hello. Thank you all!
June 24, 2025 at 10:11 AM
There are so many people to thank, whether it's online, stopping me to thank me for the talk in the hallway or even for a quick hello. Thank you all!
anyone else in the tech industry to make a positive impact within the community and the wider world.
I still had my challenges where it's so noisy, I wasn't able to keep up with conversations or attend as much talks as I wanted to. But when I did, it was a blessing.
I still had my challenges where it's so noisy, I wasn't able to keep up with conversations or attend as much talks as I wanted to. But when I did, it was a blessing.
June 24, 2025 at 10:11 AM
anyone else in the tech industry to make a positive impact within the community and the wider world.
I still had my challenges where it's so noisy, I wasn't able to keep up with conversations or attend as much talks as I wanted to. But when I did, it was a blessing.
I still had my challenges where it's so noisy, I wasn't able to keep up with conversations or attend as much talks as I wanted to. But when I did, it was a blessing.
5/5: As such, "human review remains essential for meeting accessibility standards".
Otherwise, it can get ugly...very ugly, as I will demonstrate at the #MTF2025 event. 🫣
You can get your ticket here: muslimtechfest.com/tickets/
And I hope to see you there.
Otherwise, it can get ugly...very ugly, as I will demonstrate at the #MTF2025 event. 🫣
You can get your ticket here: muslimtechfest.com/tickets/
And I hope to see you there.
June 14, 2025 at 8:25 AM
5/5: As such, "human review remains essential for meeting accessibility standards".
Otherwise, it can get ugly...very ugly, as I will demonstrate at the #MTF2025 event. 🫣
You can get your ticket here: muslimtechfest.com/tickets/
And I hope to see you there.
Otherwise, it can get ugly...very ugly, as I will demonstrate at the #MTF2025 event. 🫣
You can get your ticket here: muslimtechfest.com/tickets/
And I hope to see you there.
4/5: But a 2025 report (available to read in the comment) on the state of Automatic Speech Recognition software by 3Play Media has shown that even though "the technology has made remarkable strides, we’re witnessing an increasing plateau in accuracy improvements for English pre-recorded content".
June 14, 2025 at 8:25 AM
4/5: But a 2025 report (available to read in the comment) on the state of Automatic Speech Recognition software by 3Play Media has shown that even though "the technology has made remarkable strides, we’re witnessing an increasing plateau in accuracy improvements for English pre-recorded content".
3/5: Even though the likes of auto-captions has been around long time (in fact, Google has first announced it in a 'blogspot' way back in 2006, which you can access in the comment), you'd think that it would have gotten better and it's "perfect".
June 14, 2025 at 8:25 AM
3/5: Even though the likes of auto-captions has been around long time (in fact, Google has first announced it in a 'blogspot' way back in 2006, which you can access in the comment), you'd think that it would have gotten better and it's "perfect".
2/5: Because I'm lucky enough to be speaking at the event about a topic that I'm passionate about: video accessibility and captions. And judging by the conversations I'm having, it promises to be a brilliant event.
June 14, 2025 at 8:25 AM
2/5: Because I'm lucky enough to be speaking at the event about a topic that I'm passionate about: video accessibility and captions. And judging by the conversations I'm having, it promises to be a brilliant event.