Title: Accessibility Team Update: July 9, 2014 Author: accessiblejoe Published: July 11, 2014 --- [ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/accessiblejoe/) [Joseph Karr O'Connor](https://profiles.wordpress.org/accessiblejoe/) 6:07 pm _on_ July 11, 2014   # Accessibility Team Update: July 9, 2014 ### WordPress 4.0 BetaBeta A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to trial under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing in-house and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as part of the process. 1 In [our meeting this week](https://irclogs.wordpress.org/chanlog.php?channel=wordpress-ui&day=2014-07-09&sort=asc#m187554), [Sam Sidler](https://profiles.wordpress.org/samuelsidler) gave us the heads-up that 4.0 Beta 1 was about to be released and told us that it is “incredibly important that you test it and all of its new features.” In her post [WordPress 4.0 Beta 1](https://wordpress.org/news/2014/07/wordpress-4-0-beta-1/), [Helen Hou-Sandi](https://profiles.wordpress.org/helen) announces the release and talks about new features. ### Testing This Saturday, July 12, some of us will be testing 4.0 Beta 1 for accessibilityAccessibility Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both “direct access” (i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning compatibility with a person’s assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility) and other issues. If you want to get involved the start time is [15:00 UTC](http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20140712T15&p1=1440). Log in to the #wordpress-ui IRC channel. Also refer back to and update the [Make WordPress Accessible](https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/) page for information about what has been tested and what needs to be tested. ### Test Environment Remember, we’re testing 4.0 Beta 1 so you’ll need an installation of WordPress with the WordPress Beta Tester pluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory [https://wordpress.org/plugins/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/) or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. set to download and install “bleeding edge nightlies.” You don’t want to do this on your live site, so use a tool like [DesktopServer by ServerPress](http://serverpress.com/products/desktopserver/) to create a virtual server on your desktop computer. ### Share this: * [ Threads ](https://make.wordpress.org/updates/2014/07/11/accessibility-team-update-july-9-2014/?share=threads) * [ Mastodon ](https://make.wordpress.org/updates/2014/07/11/accessibility-team-update-july-9-2014/?share=mastodon) * [ Bluesky ](https://make.wordpress.org/updates/2014/07/11/accessibility-team-update-july-9-2014/?share=bluesky) * [ X ](https://make.wordpress.org/updates/2014/07/11/accessibility-team-update-july-9-2014/?share=x) * [ Facebook ](https://make.wordpress.org/updates/2014/07/11/accessibility-team-update-july-9-2014/?share=facebook) * [ LinkedIn ](https://make.wordpress.org/updates/2014/07/11/accessibility-team-update-july-9-2014/?share=linkedin) * [Login to Reply](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fupdates%2F2014%2F07%2F11%2Faccessibility-team-update-july-9-2014%2F%23respond&locale=en_US) 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/19347ef87f4fd5978b2184e7f05af5c780485f69dbfdefccfe3521c732a87f06? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 2. [Drew Jaynes (DrewAPicture)](https://profiles.wordpress.org/drewapicture/) 6: 14 pm _on_ July 11, 2014 3. If it helps, there’s a guide in the coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. contributor handbook for installing DesktopServer and other local development options: [https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/installing-a-local-server/installing-desktopserver/](https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/installing-a-local-server/installing-desktopserver/) 4. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e3a3eab4b3c5018dbd30d88a0ff9f3305a1fd88ba058750298292aac4d3c7e23? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Joseph Karr O'Connor](https://profiles.wordpress.org/accessiblejoe/) 9:36 pm _on_ July 11, 2014 * Thanks [@drewapicture](https://profiles.wordpress.org/drewapicture/) for that very helpful link! ### Leave a Reply 󠀁[Cancel reply](https://make.wordpress.org/updates/2014/07/11/accessibility-team-update-july-9-2014/?output_format=md#respond)󠁿 You must be [logged in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fupdates%2F2014%2F07%2F11%2Faccessibility-team-update-july-9-2014%2F&locale=en_US) to post a comment. # Post navigation [← Support Team Update for July 10th](https://make.wordpress.org/updates/2014/07/11/support-team-update-for-july-10th/) [Theme Review Update for July 14, 2014 →](https://make.wordpress.org/updates/2014/07/14/theme-review-update-for-july-14-2014/)