James Sheasby Thomas
@rightsaidjames.com
Welshperson exiled to Skipton, software tester and digital accessibility specialist for Oak National Academy, gender refusenik, carer, guinea pig herder, Nintendo fan, list-maker
Pinned
ARIA-live announcements cheatsheet - assertive, polite or none?
ARIA live regions can be an accessibility minefield. Learn when to use them, and how to choose between assertive and polite announcements.
rightsaidjames.com
Last week I blogged about ARIA live regions and how to use them (or not!) without annoying your users. A whistlestop tour of use cases for polite and assertive regions, plus browser support concerns and common gotchas etc.
rightsaidjames.com/2025/08/aria...
#a11y #accessibility
rightsaidjames.com/2025/08/aria...
#a11y #accessibility
Tone-deaf PR statement #14558:
“There has not been a reduction in wheelchair spaces on any of our trains and the layout has not been changed either. All our trains comply with current legislation regarding provision for wheelchair spaces onboard.”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
“There has not been a reduction in wheelchair spaces on any of our trains and the layout has not been changed either. All our trains comply with current legislation regarding provision for wheelchair spaces onboard.”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Avanti accused of ‘virtue signalling without virtue’ over wheelchair user art
Campaigners say train image of two wheelchair users does not reflect reality of single wheelchair space in standard class
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Tone-deaf PR statement #14558:
“There has not been a reduction in wheelchair spaces on any of our trains and the layout has not been changed either. All our trains comply with current legislation regarding provision for wheelchair spaces onboard.”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
“There has not been a reduction in wheelchair spaces on any of our trains and the layout has not been changed either. All our trains comply with current legislation regarding provision for wheelchair spaces onboard.”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
If you were my shiny @raspberrypi.com Pi 5 in a nice red case that I’ve not seen for a few months, where would you hide?
Perhaps there should be some sort of ‘lost in the house’ insurance policy? For a small extra fee at purchase, you get a replacement Pi sent out if you can’t find the original!
Perhaps there should be some sort of ‘lost in the house’ insurance policy? For a small extra fee at purchase, you get a replacement Pi sent out if you can’t find the original!
November 14, 2025 at 9:45 AM
If you were my shiny @raspberrypi.com Pi 5 in a nice red case that I’ve not seen for a few months, where would you hide?
Perhaps there should be some sort of ‘lost in the house’ insurance policy? For a small extra fee at purchase, you get a replacement Pi sent out if you can’t find the original!
Perhaps there should be some sort of ‘lost in the house’ insurance policy? For a small extra fee at purchase, you get a replacement Pi sent out if you can’t find the original!
Can anyone recommend an up-to-date minimalist social media icon set? The ones on my website (rightsaidjames.com) are well out of date and were created before Threads, Bluesky etc. came into being!
November 10, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Can anyone recommend an up-to-date minimalist social media icon set? The ones on my website (rightsaidjames.com) are well out of date and were created before Threads, Bluesky etc. came into being!
New domain-based username, who dis @rightsaidjames.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
New domain-based username, who dis @rightsaidjames.com
Picked up our new car two days before we went on holiday last week, driving an automatic for the first time to and from Northumberland was a wild ride 😅
Took me about half a week to remember not to brake to change down gears when approaching junctions!
Took me about half a week to remember not to brake to change down gears when approaching junctions!
November 10, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Picked up our new car two days before we went on holiday last week, driving an automatic for the first time to and from Northumberland was a wild ride 😅
Took me about half a week to remember not to brake to change down gears when approaching junctions!
Took me about half a week to remember not to brake to change down gears when approaching junctions!
Strange things I’ve written on Slack that the recipient has somehow understood, no. 2683:
@[dev] I'd appreciate your eyes on this fix because I feel like you have a keener sense of the deepness of the refreshes
@[dev] I'd appreciate your eyes on this fix because I feel like you have a keener sense of the deepness of the refreshes
October 29, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Strange things I’ve written on Slack that the recipient has somehow understood, no. 2683:
@[dev] I'd appreciate your eyes on this fix because I feel like you have a keener sense of the deepness of the refreshes
@[dev] I'd appreciate your eyes on this fix because I feel like you have a keener sense of the deepness of the refreshes
Really enjoying building my Lego Gameboy so far, here’s where I got to in an hour or so of careful instruction-following!
Trying to resist the urge to invest in one of the upcoming kits to turn this into an actual Gameboy, but the @remysharp.com shaped devil on my shoulder is awfully persuasive!
Trying to resist the urge to invest in one of the upcoming kits to turn this into an actual Gameboy, but the @remysharp.com shaped devil on my shoulder is awfully persuasive!
October 27, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Really enjoying building my Lego Gameboy so far, here’s where I got to in an hour or so of careful instruction-following!
Trying to resist the urge to invest in one of the upcoming kits to turn this into an actual Gameboy, but the @remysharp.com shaped devil on my shoulder is awfully persuasive!
Trying to resist the urge to invest in one of the upcoming kits to turn this into an actual Gameboy, but the @remysharp.com shaped devil on my shoulder is awfully persuasive!
Momentarily confusing @ohgodwhatnow.bsky.social Patreon notification - my card was declined, but I get the paid content nonetheless? 😅
October 13, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Momentarily confusing @ohgodwhatnow.bsky.social Patreon notification - my card was declined, but I get the paid content nonetheless? 😅
Reposted by James Sheasby Thomas
Are your Year 8 students behaving more like your Year 9s? Are your Year 6s seeming more grown up than they used to be?
There is a scientific reason for that: puberty is starting earlier.
So why is it happening and how is it playing out in schools?
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
There is a scientific reason for that: puberty is starting earlier.
So why is it happening and how is it playing out in schools?
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
How earlier puberty is affecting pupil behaviour
Children are going through puberty earlier than ever. What does this mean for education? David Robson investigates
www.tes.com
October 8, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Are your Year 8 students behaving more like your Year 9s? Are your Year 6s seeming more grown up than they used to be?
There is a scientific reason for that: puberty is starting earlier.
So why is it happening and how is it playing out in schools?
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
There is a scientific reason for that: puberty is starting earlier.
So why is it happening and how is it playing out in schools?
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Found some ancient web history while reading the Cillit Bang sections of the Reckitt Wikipedia article (don't ask): in the mid-2000s they hired a PR agency to start a fake blog for Barry Scott, who then went on to make jokey/tasteless comments on a heartfelt blog post by @tomcoates.bsky.social.
October 8, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Found some ancient web history while reading the Cillit Bang sections of the Reckitt Wikipedia article (don't ask): in the mid-2000s they hired a PR agency to start a fake blog for Barry Scott, who then went on to make jokey/tasteless comments on a heartfelt blog post by @tomcoates.bsky.social.
I’m no expert on Taylor Swift - my knowledge of her discography is poor to average at best - but the new album seems… good? Nice vibes, decent singing, interesting lyrics, varied soundworlds… what’s not to like?
October 4, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I’m no expert on Taylor Swift - my knowledge of her discography is poor to average at best - but the new album seems… good? Nice vibes, decent singing, interesting lyrics, varied soundworlds… what’s not to like?
“Hi mate, I need thousands of ‘TG Jones’ shop signs ASAP, various sizes. Matte plastic, white text on blue, pick the blandest shades & fonts you have. No need for any other text. If it will save me a few quid, don’t bother with any design principles. Thanks mate, pleasure doing business with you.”
September 20, 2025 at 11:32 AM
“Hi mate, I need thousands of ‘TG Jones’ shop signs ASAP, various sizes. Matte plastic, white text on blue, pick the blandest shades & fonts you have. No need for any other text. If it will save me a few quid, don’t bother with any design principles. Thanks mate, pleasure doing business with you.”
I like Mr Brightside just as much as the next millennial, it’s a modern classic, but can we PLEASE stop playing it at wedding discos? It’s a song about cheating/jealousy - the protagonist imagines themselves watching helplessly while their partner goes to bed with a stranger!
Pick another song FFS
Pick another song FFS
i don't want to hear your most boomer complaint. what's your most millennial complaint?
September 20, 2025 at 8:12 AM
I like Mr Brightside just as much as the next millennial, it’s a modern classic, but can we PLEASE stop playing it at wedding discos? It’s a song about cheating/jealousy - the protagonist imagines themselves watching helplessly while their partner goes to bed with a stranger!
Pick another song FFS
Pick another song FFS
Headphones with touchscreens for media control are a great idea… up until you’re walking in heavy rain and every third raindrop triggers Siri, pauses your audio or skips your podcast back 30 seconds 🤦
September 20, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Headphones with touchscreens for media control are a great idea… up until you’re walking in heavy rain and every third raindrop triggers Siri, pauses your audio or skips your podcast back 30 seconds 🤦
First they came for the late night comedians etc. etc.
September 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM
First they came for the late night comedians etc. etc.
Vera denies all knowledge of a foolish stumble, and has North Yorkshire’s top libel lawyers on standby, ready to ruthlessly pursue anyone who says otherwise!
September 15, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Vera denies all knowledge of a foolish stumble, and has North Yorkshire’s top libel lawyers on standby, ready to ruthlessly pursue anyone who says otherwise!
🎶 When you're sad and feeling blue,
with nothing better to do,
don't just sit there feeling stressed,
take on the little trip on...
the National Expreeeesssss! 🎶
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUCf...
with nothing better to do,
don't just sit there feeling stressed,
take on the little trip on...
the National Expreeeesssss! 🎶
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUCf...
The Divine Comedy - National Express (Later Archive 1998)
YouTube video by BBC Music
www.youtube.com
September 15, 2025 at 10:19 AM
🎶 When you're sad and feeling blue,
with nothing better to do,
don't just sit there feeling stressed,
take on the little trip on...
the National Expreeeesssss! 🎶
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUCf...
with nothing better to do,
don't just sit there feeling stressed,
take on the little trip on...
the National Expreeeesssss! 🎶
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUCf...
Was it just me who quite liked Windows ME?
Sure, it crashed a little more often than it should, but I was willing to trade a bit of instability for a delicious taste of the future!
Sure, it crashed a little more often than it should, but I was willing to trade a bit of instability for a delicious taste of the future!
September 10, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Was it just me who quite liked Windows ME?
Sure, it crashed a little more often than it should, but I was willing to trade a bit of instability for a delicious taste of the future!
Sure, it crashed a little more often than it should, but I was willing to trade a bit of instability for a delicious taste of the future!
Listening to Radio 4’s PM programme on the way to pick up the weekly shop and was impressed by @evanhd.bsky.social’s approach to complex internetty topics like AI and ransomware. All the questions are informative and well-formed - he must have excellent producers!
September 8, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Listening to Radio 4’s PM programme on the way to pick up the weekly shop and was impressed by @evanhd.bsky.social’s approach to complex internetty topics like AI and ransomware. All the questions are informative and well-formed - he must have excellent producers!
Reposted by James Sheasby Thomas
💻 The interim CEO of @oaknational.bsky.social outlines how he believes AI can play a role in education’s evolution – but only if it fits schools' needs, not the other way around
AI must fit education’s needs, not the other way round
Oak’s interim CEO outlines why AI must be used within the context of three core pillars of learning – but, if used correctly, can have huge benefits
www.tes.com
September 8, 2025 at 6:05 AM
💻 The interim CEO of @oaknational.bsky.social outlines how he believes AI can play a role in education’s evolution – but only if it fits schools' needs, not the other way around
Bought a brand new car for the first time on Saturday (Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, self-charging hybrid). We’d been looking at medium-size nearly-new PHEV SUVs with comparable amounts of boot space for wheelchairs etc. but our local dealer was offering 4 years of 0% APR & that couldn’t be beaten!
September 8, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Bought a brand new car for the first time on Saturday (Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, self-charging hybrid). We’d been looking at medium-size nearly-new PHEV SUVs with comparable amounts of boot space for wheelchairs etc. but our local dealer was offering 4 years of 0% APR & that couldn’t be beaten!
Today @octopusenergy.bsky.social are running a bumper ‘free electricity’ session between 12 and 2pm, so I’ve carefully scheduled my tumble dryer, washing machine and mouse-designed meaning of life supercomputer to be running all at the same time.
September 7, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Today @octopusenergy.bsky.social are running a bumper ‘free electricity’ session between 12 and 2pm, so I’ve carefully scheduled my tumble dryer, washing machine and mouse-designed meaning of life supercomputer to be running all at the same time.
Last week I blogged about ARIA live regions and how to use them (or not!) without annoying your users. A whistlestop tour of use cases for polite and assertive regions, plus browser support concerns and common gotchas etc.
rightsaidjames.com/2025/08/aria...
#a11y #accessibility
rightsaidjames.com/2025/08/aria...
#a11y #accessibility
ARIA-live announcements cheatsheet - assertive, polite or none?
ARIA live regions can be an accessibility minefield. Learn when to use them, and how to choose between assertive and polite announcements.
rightsaidjames.com
September 3, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Last week I blogged about ARIA live regions and how to use them (or not!) without annoying your users. A whistlestop tour of use cases for polite and assertive regions, plus browser support concerns and common gotchas etc.
rightsaidjames.com/2025/08/aria...
#a11y #accessibility
rightsaidjames.com/2025/08/aria...
#a11y #accessibility
Reposted by James Sheasby Thomas
Sometimes you have to announce stuff that happens on your site to your users. How do you do it without annoying people? @rightsaidjames.bsky.social wrote a post about this:
rightsaidjames.com/2025/08/aria...
#a11y #accessibility
rightsaidjames.com/2025/08/aria...
#a11y #accessibility
ARIA-live announcements cheatsheet - assertive, polite or none?
ARIA live regions can be a minefield. Learn how to decide when to use them, and how to choose between assertive and polite announcements.
rightsaidjames.com
September 1, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Sometimes you have to announce stuff that happens on your site to your users. How do you do it without annoying people? @rightsaidjames.bsky.social wrote a post about this:
rightsaidjames.com/2025/08/aria...
#a11y #accessibility
rightsaidjames.com/2025/08/aria...
#a11y #accessibility
One thing I really love about being a software tester/QA is the sheer breadth & volume of pointless knowledge I’ve gained over the years. I have a rudimentary knowledge of shipbroking, I know way too much about the German pharmacy system, and will happily wax lyrical about the taxonomy of Jellycats!
January 31, 2025 at 9:49 AM
One thing I really love about being a software tester/QA is the sheer breadth & volume of pointless knowledge I’ve gained over the years. I have a rudimentary knowledge of shipbroking, I know way too much about the German pharmacy system, and will happily wax lyrical about the taxonomy of Jellycats!