v1.47.0

This release focuses on accessibility and accuracy improvements. The Simplified Summary textarea now has a programmatic label, highlighted elements get a white contrast ring for better visibility, and SVG code snippets in the Accessibility Analysis panel render as images. Scan accuracy is improved by skipping 1x1 tracking pixels with empty alt text and by smarter link validation that trims whitespace and normalizes href checks. It also fixes a stale table-name cache in the validator and uses the correct post ID when the homepage is set to show latest posts, along with some minor code cleanup.

What's Changed

• [Backport] Release v1.46.0 by @github-actions[bot] in #1831
• Add programmatic label to Simplified Summary textarea by @SteveJonesDev in #1823
• Render SVG code snippets in the Accessibility Analysis panel as images by @pattonwebz in #1832
• Add white contrast ring around highlighted element outline by @SteveJonesDev in #1824
• Skip 1x1 tracking pixels with empty alt in img_alt_empty_check by @pattonwebz with @Copilot in #1661
• Remove unused is_domain_loopback helper by @pattonwebz with @Copilot in #1437
• Fix stale table-name cache in validator by @SteveJonesDev in #1429
• Enhance link validation to trim whitespace and normalize href checks by @SteveJonesDev in #1389
• Fix: use correct post ID when site homepage is set to latest posts (PRO-726) by @SteveJonesDev in #1727
• Release v1.47.0 by @pattonwebz in #1834

Full Changelog: v1.46.0...v1.47.0

v1.46.0

Improves accuracy of several checks (aria-hidden on cover blocks, .ogg audio misflagged as video, heading order messaging, reading level grades) and fixes a handful of accessibility issues in the plugin's own admin interface. Also adds release tooling and expanded test coverage for scanner rules.

What's Changed

• [Backport] Release v1.45.0 by @github-actions[bot] in #1813
• fix: strip leading v from release tag before using as SVN version by @pattonwebz in #1814
• fix: show success icon when no issues found in Accessibility Analysis panel by @SteveJonesDev in #1815
• Fix inaccurate accessible name on settings navigation landmark by @SteveJonesDev in #1822
• fix: convey summary status in Reading Level card accessible name by @SteveJonesDev in #1820
• Fix settings page logo/heading overlap on RTL sites by @SteveJonesDev in #1819
• chore: regenerate hooks docs by @github-actions[bot] in #1806
• Fix incorrect heading order summary to not claim specific heading levels by @SteveJonesDev in #1825
• PRO-1168: fix: don't flag .ogg audio as video content in video_present rule by @pattonwebz in #1817
• Exclude core cover blocks from aria-hidden rule and move spacer/separator to selector by @pattonwebz in #1801
• Fix: FK reading grade of 0 < x < 1 collapses to 0 (normalize to 1) by @SteveJonesDev in #1725
• Add @SInCE update tool and release prep integration by @pattonwebz in #1798
• Tests: add Jest coverage for 6 scanner rules without tests by @pattonwebz in #1800
• chore: update plugin URI to equalizedigital.com by @pattonwebz in #1827
• Update POT translation file by @github-actions[bot] in #1828
• chore: regenerate hooks docs by @github-actions[bot] in #1826
• PTC accessibility-checker (1985): Automatic Translations July 08, 2026 18:43:12797590 by @SteveJonesDev in #1829
• Release v1.46.0 by @pattonwebz in #1830

Full Changelog: v1.45.0...v1.46.0

v1.45.0

What's Changed

• [Backport] Release v1.44.1 by @github-actions[bot] in #1789
• Remove extra WordPress.org plugin tag by @pattonwebz in #1790
• Focus accordion toggle before clearing dismiss success notice by @pattonwebz in #1794
• PRO-1081: Make CodeMirror code viewer resizable by @pattonwebz in #1795
• Set “Confirmed accessible” as first/default dismiss reason by @pattonwebz with @Copilot in #1793
• Add edac_dismiss_reasons filter to allow customizing dismiss options by @SteveJonesDev in #1726
• Add edac_after_global_ignore_change action hook to dismiss_issue endpoint by @pattonwebz in #1808
• PTC accessibility-checker (1985): Automatic Translations June 30, 2026 21:25:33332358 by @SteveJonesDev in #1812
• fix: expose pro status in edac_script_vars and widen isPro checks in DismissPanel by @pattonwebz in #1805
• Release v1.45.0 by @pattonwebz in #1811

Full Changelog: v1.44.1...v1.45.0

v1.44.1

What's Changed

• PTC accessibility-checker (1985): Automatic Translations June 22, 2026 20:27:31593910 by @SteveJonesDev in #1783
• [Backport] Release v1.44.0 by @github-actions[bot] in #1785
• a11y: announce dismiss/reopen result to screen readers via speak() (PRO-1068) by @pattonwebz in #1786
• Add changelog for v1.44.0 by @pattonwebz in #1787
• Release v1.44.1 by @pattonwebz in #1788

Full Changelog: v1.44.0...v1.44.1

v1.44.0

Accessibility Checker 1.44.0 introduces a new Link Text is URL detection rule that flags links whose anchor text is a bare URL rather than meaningful text. This release also consolidates landmark type detection into a single source of truth, exports shared components from the free plugin for use in pro, and fixes REST API URL generation to work correctly on WordPress subsites and custom REST base configurations.

Several rule accuracy improvements are included: empty paragraph warnings no longer flag elements with aria-live attributes or implicit live region roles, the new-window warning correctly handles links containing both images and text with aria-label, and separator blocks are excluded from aria-hidden review warnings.

The Ignore terminology has been replaced with Dismiss across all rule descriptions and UI strings. Email Reports received two updates — the dashboard link now points to the license keys page, and the activation message shown to free users has been revised. The Block Editor metabox now defaults to visible for new installs, and defensive guards were added for EDAC_KEY_VALID usage in the options page and Get Pro link. A dead is_numeric check on the policy page option was also removed.

What's Changed

• Email Reports: Update dashboard link destination to license keys page by @SteveJonesDev in #1728
• [Backport] Release v1.43.0 by @github-actions[bot] in #1731
• [Email Reports] Modify Reports Enabled message for free users by @SteveJonesDev in #1729
• chore: regenerate hooks docs by @github-actions[bot] in #1734
• Guard EDAC_KEY_VALID usage in options page by @SteveJonesDev in #1402
• Handle missing EDAC_KEY_VALID when showing Get Pro link by @SteveJonesDev in #1407
• PRO-540: Update How to Fix language to remove Ignore feature references by @SteveJonesDev in #1724
• Remove dead is_numeric check on policy page option by @SteveJonesDev in #1735
• chore: regenerate hooks docs by @github-actions[bot] in #1738
• PRO-960: Restore global dismiss/unignore inline in DismissPanel by @pattonwebz in #1746
• Create Accessibility Issue template structure by @amberhinds in #1744
• PRO-959: Add edac_get_landmark_types() as single source of truth for landmark detection by @pattonwebz in #1760
• chore: regenerate hooks docs by @github-actions[bot] in #1743
• Setup component exports from free to be usable in pro by @pattonwebz in #1733
• Use a rest api url that works on subsites as well as if someone changes the rest api base by @pattonwebz in #1737
• Rules: Don't flag empty paragraph on paragraphs with aria-live by @pattonwebz with @Copilot in #1774
• Fix new window warning aria-label for links containing images and text by @pattonwebz with @Copilot in #1773
• fix: exclude wp-block-separator from aria-hidden review warnings by @pattonwebz with @Copilot in #1751
• feat: Add custom axe rule to detect link text is URL by @pattonwebz in #1012
• PRO-1039: Replace remaining 'Ignore' terminology with 'Dismiss' by @SteveJonesDev in #1782
• PRO-1041: Default Block Editor Metabox setting to checked for new installs by @SteveJonesDev in #1784
• Release v1.44.0 by @pattonwebz in #1781

Full Changelog: v1.43.0...v1.44.0

v1.43.0

Two rule updates to reduce false positives — images inside accessible buttons no longer trigger empty alt warnings, and hidden elements no longer trigger the empty button check. Also includes PHPUnit test coverage for the dismiss-issue endpoint and a translation update.

What's Changed

• Release backport by @SteveJonesDev in #1714
• Fix: skip img empty alt warning when image is inside a button with an accessible name by @SteveJonesDev in #1716
• Fix: Skip empty button check for elements hidden from both AT and keyboard by @Copilot in #1718
• Add PHPUnit tests for dismiss-issue REST endpoint (single & large-batch modes) by @pattonwebz in #1715
• PTC accessibility-checker (1985): Automatic Translations May 28, 2026 13:07:56825661 by @SteveJonesDev in #1721
• Release v1.43.0 by @pattonwebz in #1722

Full Changelog: v1.42.1...v1.43.0

v1.42.1

What's Changed

• [Backport] Release v1.42.0 by @github-actions[bot] in #1707
• Tests: fix screen mocks for WP 7.0 (instanceof WP_Screen) by @pattonwebz in #1713
• Fix: add per-post capability check to add_ignore AJAX handler by @SteveJonesDev in #1712

Full Changelog: v1.42.0...v1.42.1

v1.42.0

Version 1.42.0 includes a new SystemInfo class that gathers environment, theme, and active plugin data. The REST API scan stats permission logic was refactored from an inline callback to a named method, and additional REST API callback tests were added with follow-up PHPCS cleanup. Link validation was improved to support named anchors used as jump targets, and image alt checks were updated to treat role="none" the same as role="presentation". The release also includes maintenance updates such as regenerated hooks documentation, an updated POT file, and refreshed translation files, followed by the final 1.42.0 release packaging.

What's Changed

• [Backport] Release v1.41.0 by @github-actions[bot] in #1695
• Add a SystemInfo class for getting theme, plugin and env type by @pattonwebz in #1679
• Replaced inline permission callback with a named method for get_scan_stats by @pattonwebz in #1697
• Add tests for rest api callbacks by @pattonwebz in #1699
• Fix some phpcs issues in merged tests by @pattonwebz in #1701
• chore: regenerate hooks docs by @github-actions[bot] in #1702
• Add: support for named anchors as jump targets in link validation by @SteveJonesDev in #1698
• Add role="none" support alongside role="presentation" in image alt checks by @SteveJonesDev in #1704
• Update POT translation file by @github-actions[bot] in #1705
• PTC accessibility-checker (1985): Automatic Translations May 19, 2026 14:03:00590317 by @SteveJonesDev in #1706
• Release v1.42.0 by @pattonwebz in #1703

Full Changelog: v1.41.0...v1.42.0

v1.41.0

v1.41.0 adds versioning to the scanner bundle URL for frontend scans, fixes several false positives (skips role="heading" elements and screen-reader-only elements in accessibility checks), makes pro the authoritative source for license checking, and includes documentation fixes, screenshot updates, and translation syncs.

What's Changed

• [Backport] Release v1.40.0 by @github-actions[bot] in #1671
• Revise screenshots for version 1.40.0 by @amberhinds in #1672
• chore: regenerate hooks docs by @github-actions[bot] in #1673
• Fix stale @return docblock on license context methods by @SteveJonesDev in #1656
• Update POT translation file by @github-actions[bot] in #1680
• PTC accessibility-checker (1985): Edits by Steve Jones (May 05, 2026 19:39:04652135) by @SteveJonesDev in #1684
• Add versioning to scanner bundle URL for frontend scans by @pattonwebz in #1682
• Don't flag role="heading" elements as possible headings by @Copilot in #1686
• Make pro always authoritive for license checking by @pattonwebz in #1689
• Fix false positive: skip screen-reader-only elements in text_size_too_small check by @SteveJonesDev in #1690
• Release v1.41.0 by @pattonwebz in #1693

Full Changelog: v1.40.0...v1.41.0

v1.40.0

v1.40.0 delivers significant Accessibility Reports Emails and front‑end highlighter accessibility/UI upgrades, including improved focus management, clearer new‑window indicators/announcements, and added screen reader–only formatting support in both the block editor and frontend. It also enhances table header detection, tightens scan/admin edge-case handling, plus ongoing translation and docs regeneration.

What's Changed

• [Backport] Release v1.39.0 by @github-actions[bot] in #1572
• chore: regenerate hooks docs by @github-actions[bot] in #1571
• PTC accessibility-checker (1985): Automatic Translations March 17, 2026 18:10:11020106 by @SteveJonesDev in #1573
• chore: regenerate hooks docs by @github-actions[bot] in #1570
• Update POT translation file by @github-actions[bot] in #1574
• PTC accessibility-checker (1985): Automatic Translations March 17, 2026 22:07:34183358 by @SteveJonesDev in #1575
• PTC accessibility-checker (1985): Edits by William Patton (March 17, 2026 22:59:26185507) by @SteveJonesDev in #1576
• Guard admin notice removal when current screen is unavailable by @SteveJonesDev in #1438
• Guard plugin action links pro check when EDAC_KEY_VALID is undefined by @SteveJonesDev in #1408
• Fix UTM key names in settings and widget links by @SteveJonesDev in #1405
• Disable broken automated bug hunter workflow by @Copilot in #1602
• Enhance table-has-headers check to handle colspan, rowspan, and ARIA header relationships by @Copilot in #1154
• Add handling to create playground links when creating zips for testing on a PR by @pattonwebz in #1603
• Add Accessibility Reports settings page and UI enhancements by @SteveJonesDev in #1605
• chore: regenerate hooks docs by @github-actions[bot] in #1609
• Update backport action to use env vars on process.* instead of inlined by @pattonwebz in #1597
• Exclude non-publicly-queryable post types from scanning and detect redirected scan iframes by @Copilot in #1594
• Skip Missing Table Header check for tables with role="presentation" or role="none" by @Copilot in #1591
• chore: regenerate hooks docs by @github-actions[bot] in #1614
• feat: add screen reader only format support in block editor and frontend by @SteveJonesDev in #1606
• chore: regenerate hooks docs by @github-actions[bot] in #1616
• Update new window warning css variables and make some tweaks to allow code reuse by @pattonwebz in #1596
• Fix article landmark label displaying "Landmark: Landmark" instead of "Landmark: Article" by @Copilot in #1593
• Make the cleanup routine for orphaned issues run twice a day by @pattonwebz in #1580
• Add support for registering sites with myDot and exchanging a jwt token that can be used to share site stats by @pattonwebz in #1315
• Front-end highlighter: Add missing heading markup to panel elements by @Copilot in #1621
• Add screen reader announcements for panel move/dock/undock actions by @Copilot in #1622
• Fix frontend highlighter: hide decorative arrow from screen readers, announce new-window intent by @Copilot in #1623
• Updated: Frontend UI by @SteveJonesDev in #1615
• chore: regenerate hooks docs by @github-actions[bot] in #1630
• Update POT translation file by @github-actions[bot] in #1631
• PTC accessibility-checker (1985): Automatic Translations April 20, 2026 20:05:16258211 by @SteveJonesDev in #1632
• Swap to a new image for the email report preview by @pattonwebz in #1641
• Email reports admin page change legal language by @pattonwebz in #1642
• Add label and icon indicating that these links open in a new window by @pattonwebz in #1644
• Steve/pro 734 front end highlighter redesign issue type accessible name by @SteveJonesDev in #1645
• Fix aria-label not updating when enable/disable styles button state changes by @SteveJonesDev in #1647
• Fix focus returning to panel close button instead of Fix Issue trigger by @SteveJonesDev in #1646
• Add role and aria-labelledby attributes to highlight panel controls for improved accessibility by @SteveJonesDev in #1648
• Steve/pro 737 front end highlighter redesign missing screen reader by @SteveJonesDev in #1649
• Bail early if we do not have a stored site id (not connected for email reports) by @pattonwebz in #1650
• Replace article landmarks with div on Accessibility Reports admin page by @SteveJonesDev in #1651
• William/pro 772 remove email report dashboard link in the plugin by @pattonwebz in #1654
• Add GAAD 2026 flash sale banner (May 13–22) by @Copilot in #1659
• Release v1.40.0 by @pattonwebz in #1633

Full Changelog: v1.39.0...v1.40.0