Saying "No-one using our service has accessibility needs" is a bit like saying "We don't need a ramp, no-one in a wheelchair has ever come up the stairs". #accessibility #A11y - ThreadSky

se-davidobrien.mastodon.scot.ap.brid.gy • 9 days ago

Saying "No-one using our service has accessibility needs" is a bit like saying "We don't need a ramp, no-one in a wheelchair has ever come up the stairs".

#accessibility #A11y

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se-davidobrien.mastodon.scot.ap.brid.gy•7 days ago

I remember once, a long time ago, a colleague asked me to publish some content on our website.

It as marketing material, for a conference. And PDF, of course. With no consideration to #accessibility whatsoever.

I declined, and we had a meeting. I explained why I couldn't publish the material […]

se-davidobrien.mastodon.scot.ap.brid.gy•7 days ago

To be fair to my colleague, when I explained it to them, they got it.

It literally hadn't occurred to them. Why would it? Their job was to sell out a conference on renewable energy or whatever it was.

But in my experience, almost everyone gets it once you give them context.

Almost everyone […]

yatil.yatil.social.ap.brid.gy•7 days ago

@se_davidobrien This is such an important point. And it really helps to move the discussion from personal failures to the persuasive culture that has lead to accessibility knowledge gaps in otherwise qualified individuals.

se-davidobrien.mastodon.scot.ap.brid.gy•7 days ago

Exactly, Eric.

We’re not moving the dial by adhering to WCAG.

We’re moving the dial by putting inclusivity right at the top of the agenda.

@yatil

yatil.yatil.social.ap.brid.gy•7 days ago

@se_davidobrien I wished that was my reality. Over here it’s all “how to get compliant with the least effort”. And changing the crap to something that at least conforms to WCAG is a major improvement for a wide variety of people.

Conveying issues in a kind and understanding way and […]

WeirdWriter.caneandable.social.ap.brid.gy•7 days ago

@yatil @se_davidobrien I wish it were that way too! I constantly get clients that just flat out ask me how do we make this thing work with screen readers so we don't get sued. When I explained it's just better to be inclusive, they reply with, but will it prevent us from getting sued?

se-davidobrien.mastodon.scot.ap.brid.gy•7 days ago

Different realities, yeah.

I’m lucky enough to be in a public sector org in a regime that actually cares.

So, I’ll keep pushing it left.

Good luck, and don’t give up the fight.

@yatil

se-davidobrien.mastodon.scot.ap.brid.gy•7 days ago

But most people are decent, and kind.

And want to do the right thing.

Don't scold them. Help them understand, and find a solution.

(On this occasion, I published the content as html with a friendly URL, and the PDF as an optional download. Win/win. No idea how many visually impaired people […]

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