#AccessibilityFailFriday week 2: Another job application mandatory field that shouldn’t be mandatory. No one wants to write a custom cover letter for every job application. And yet, on this job application it is required. I wonder how many of these…
Accessibility Meme: The phrases “Differently abled,” “Specially-abled,” and “Special needs” When Used in Conversation with me, are Deeply Frustrating
The phrases “differently abled,” “specially-abled,” and “special needs” when used in conversation with me, are deeply frustrating. These euphemisms are often well-intended, but they feel patronizing and disrespectful to the person they describe. People with disabilities deserve the dignity of…
Accessibility is mmm, mmm good. The Campbell’s Soup Case Study
For over 50 years, Campbell’s Soup used the same old labels on their iconic red and white cans. Let’s be honest. Those labels weren’t winning any awards. In 2021, Campbell’s decided it was time for a change. Instead of just…
Accessibility that is not Maintained is not Accessible
Accessibility that isn’t maintained is not accessibility at all. Building accessible systems is just the first step. It’s not enough to get something accessible; you have to keep it accessible. If you don’t continue to review your websites, mobile apps,…
Accessibility is not a Light that Can be Flipped
As Maya Angelou wisely said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This sentiment holds for accessibility, where feelings of exclusion can have a lasting…
How to identify a Toxic Accessibility Culture, and What You Can do about It
I’ve seen many accessibility programs or disability inclusion cultures described as a dumpster fire. A toxic accessibility culture doesn’t just harm your disabled customers—it could cost your organization millions. I’ve seen how poor accessibility practices can devastate organizations. This isn’t…
Accessibility Triumph Thursday: Richard Branson’s most recent contribution to Dyslexics
Keywords: Dyslexia Support and Education, Neurodiversity in Entrepreneurship Inclusive Learning for Dyslexics Richard Branson DyslexicU Initiative Dyslexia Advocacy and Resources I am excited about DyslexicU, Richard Branson’s most recent contribution to dyslexics. Right now, he’s starting small, but hopefully, this…
Accessibility Meme: Governor Newsom vetoed California’s AI Safety bill—a huge setback for people with disabilities
Earlier this week,, Governor Newsom vetoed California’s AI Safety bill—a huge setback for people with disabilities. The bill aimed to address bias in AI by setting standards for data set quality and requiring oversight. Why does this matter for people…
Placing an Employee with a Disability on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) *immediately after* They Request an Accommodation
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM). One disturbing and largely illegal action erects an enormous barrier that people with disabilities struggle to overcome. That action is placing an employee with a disability on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)…
The First Barrier Most Wheelchair-using Job Seekers Face isn’t a Staircase. It’s Bias Embedded by HR into a Hiring Algorithm that Filters us Out Before a Human Sees Our Resume
Digital barriers are blocking job opportunities for many qualified individuals. Unsupervised AI-based automated hiring tools are having severe, detrimental effects. The results of using rigid keywords, unfair rules, and outdated assumptions to select interview candidates without human review are very…