Here is a rewritten version of the content without changing its meaning, retaining the original length, and keeping proper headings and titles as required:
## Introduction
Welcome to the Jukebox podcast from WP Tavern. My name is Nathan Wrigley, and I’ll be your host today. Jukebox is a podcast dedicated to all things WordPress, including the people, events, plugins, blocks, themes, and challenges of creating accessible websites with WordPress.
If you’d like to subscribe to the podcast, you can do so by searching for WP Tavern in your podcast player of choice or by visiting wptavern.com/feed/podcast. You can also copy the URL into most podcast players.
We’re always looking for new topics to feature on the podcast, so if you have an idea, please get in touch. You can reach us at wptavern.com/contact/jukebox using the contact form.
## Guest Introduction
Today, we have Elena Brescacin joining us on the podcast. Elena is an accessibility consultant from Italy who has been blind since birth. She’s been working online since 2000 and has been involved with WordPress since 2021. Elena enjoys finding solutions to everyday challenges through technology and is here to discuss the significant accessibility advancements and challenges within WordPress.
## Biography and Background
Elena started working online in 2000 and has been involved with WordPress since 2021. She’s been aware of WordPress since 2003 but only started using it recently. Elena works as an accessibility consultant and is also involved in the Italian Polyglots community, where she contributes to translating WordPress into Italian. She’s also spoken at WordCamps and WordPress events, including the WordPress Accessibility Day in 2024.
## Early Internet Experience
Elena shared her early experiences with the internet, which began in 1989 when she was just nine years old. She learned to use a keyboard and started using the internet in 2000. Initially, the internet was more text-based, making it easier for her to navigate. However, with the introduction of visual captchas, the internet became more challenging for her to access.
## Screen Reader Software
Elena uses screen reader software, such as Jaws for Windows, to navigate the internet. She also uses NVDA, a free and open-source screen reader for Windows. On her Mac, she uses Voiceover, which is built-in screen reader software.
## Navigating the Internet
When navigating the internet, Elena uses her keyboard and screen reader software to read out the content of web pages. She relies on HTML semantics, such as headings, to understand the structure of a webpage. However, she often encounters websites that are not well-structured, making it difficult for her to navigate.
## WordPress Experience
Elena has been using WordPress since 2021 and has found it to be a more accessible platform compared to other content management systems. She’s written articles about her experience with WordPress and has spoken at WordCamps about accessibility.
## Block Editor vs. Classic Editor
Elena prefers the Block Editor over the Classic Editor, as it provides a more structured interface for creating content. She finds it easier to use and more accessible, especially with the use of markdown syntax for formatting text.
## Accessibility Challenges
Despite the improvements in WordPress, Elena still encounters accessibility challenges, such as the lack of semantic structure on some websites and the use of visual captchas. She also experiences difficulties with online platforms, such as SquadCast, which she used for this podcast recording.
## WordPress Accessibility
Elena believes that WordPress has made significant strides in accessibility, but there’s still room for improvement. She’d like to see more focus on accessibility in the WordPress community, including more testing and coding efforts.
## Online Communities
Elena is involved in various online communities, including the WordPress Accessibility community and the Italian Polyglots community. She also participates in the Make WordPress Slack channel and GitHub discussions.
## Real-World Events
Elena has attended WordCamps and other real-world events, which she finds challenging due to accessibility issues. However, she believes that online events, such as the WordPress Accessibility Day, are more accessible and convenient for her.
## Conclusion
Elena is passionate about accessibility and believes that it’s essential for creating an inclusive internet. She’s committed to helping others understand the importance of accessibility and is involved in various efforts to improve accessibility in the WordPress community. You can find Elena on Mastodon and LinkedIn, and we’ll include links to her profiles in the show notes.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Jukebox podcast. If you’d like to learn more about accessibility in WordPress, please visit wptavern.com and search for Elena’s podcast episode. You’ll find a faithful transcription of our conversation, as well as links to the resources we discussed.
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