Talk Title
“Accessible Single Page Applications (SPAs)”
Talk Description
Single Page Applications (SPAs) have transformed the way we build web experiences – but they can also introduce major accessibility challenges if we’re not careful. In this talk, Natalie MacLees will walk through common pitfalls of SPA development, from focus management to dynamic content updates, and share practical strategies for making SPAs usable by people with disabilities.
Attendees will leave with concrete techniques they can apply right away, regardless of whether they’re working in React, Vue, Angular, or any other framework. You’ll learn how to make modern apps fast and accessible.
Bio
Natalie MacLees is a designer, developer, and accessibility advocate with more than 20 years of experience building for the web. She is the co-founder of NSquared and AAArdvark, a platform that helps teams test, fix, and collaborate on digital accessibility. Natalie’s career has been shaped by a belief that the internet should be usable by everyone – and that accessibility isn’t just a compliance checkbox, but a pathway to better design and a more inclusive digital world.
Through her work with AAArdvark, Natalie partners with agencies, product teams, and organizations of all sizes to embed accessibility into their everyday processes. She’s also a frequent contributor to the WordPress community, where she maintains plugins and shares resources that make it easier for designers and developers to adopt accessible practices.
Natalie has spoken at numerous conferences, including WordCamp US and WP Accessibility Day, and she regularly publishes practical guides to help teams understand and apply the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) without getting lost in jargon. Beyond her professional work, she is passionate about mentorship and creating supportive communities where new developers and designers can thrive.
When she’s not working on software or speaking about accessibility, Natalie can be found reading, knitting, lifting weights, or hiking the trails around Los Angeles.