Issue #15 • 03 June 2025

Hi Reader.

Today is my 50th birthday.

I’ve been reflecting on the gap between what I expected from life and what it’s actually given me. Some dreams are still out there. Some chapters closed in ways I didn’t anticipate. But along the way, I’ve been surprised—again and again—by grace, resilience, and the quiet beauty of the unexpected.

• I thought I'd have more certainty by now—more answers, more clarity.
  ​ But what surprises me is how confident I am in the right things: faith, family, friendship, and fulfilling work—even when the details are full of questions.
  ​
• I thought my body and mind would keep getting stronger, sharper, faster.
  But what surprises me is how much I’ve come to treasure wisdom, rest, and contentment—even as my belly softens, my eyesight dims, and I forget people’s names.
  ​
• I thought I’d be further along with my dreams—maybe a record deal, a revolutionary app, or a Steinway grand in my living room.
  ​But what surprises me is how the deepest meaning has come not from achievement, but from the trials I've endured and the hope and beauty that’s grown out of brokenness.
  ​
• I thought I had to hold tight to the things that mattered most.
  But what surprises me is the power of letting go—some things return stronger, and others drift away because they never truly belonged.
  ​
• I thought I had all the time in the world.
  But what surprises me is how the pace of time seems to accelerate—days, weeks, and months fly by faster and faster, so much so that 100 more years would probably feel shorter than the first 50.
  ​
• I thought doing remarkable things would make me happy and fulfilled.
  But what surprises me is how fleeting—and sometimes lonely—those moments of accomplishment can be.
  ​
• I thought the mundane parts of life would be boring—something to avoid or outgrow.
  But what surprises me is how deeply the daily rhythms ground my soul and quietly build the relationships I cherish most.

As I celebrate this milestone and reflect on what’s shaped me most, I’m reminded how much of life’s richness comes from paying close attention—whether to people, patterns, or pixels.

So in that spirit, here are a few thoughtful reads from the blog and some accessibility highlights from around the web that caught my eye this month.

Recent blog articles

Telling time with sound For Global Accessibility Awareness Day, I wanted to build a web app that lets you listen to the time with musical patterns and intervals. I almost gave up until I met an AI coding assistant that changed everything. Read the Song Clock story

When is an image decorative? Learn when not to write alt text—and when to let an image speak for itself (or not). Learn about decorative images

Accessibility around the web

• ​Accessible Social​
  Accessible Social is a free resource and education hub that shares best practices for creating accessible and inclusive social media content. This site has some great checklists and guides to ensure your posts can be read by everyone.
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• ​Accessibility improves revenue - Gen Herres from easyA11yGuides​
  This case study shows how modernizing an e-commerce site for accessibility increased its revenue by 16% in the first month.
  ​
• ​What Does it Really Mean for a Site to be Keyboard Navigable? - Smashing Magazine​
  Keyboard navigation is a vital aspect of accessible web design, and a detail-oriented approach is crucial. Prioritizing keyboard navigation prioritizes the user experience for a diverse audience, extending your reach while simultaneously fostering a more inclusive web environment.
  ​

Have a jaw-dropping June!

Simon Miner Pedal Point Solutions

Need help with web accessibility testing, treatment, or training? Pedal Point Solutions offers a free assessment of your website.

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