Did you know it takes less than 8 seconds for a seasoned assistive technology user to decide if a site is inaccessible and take their business elsewhere? Here’s why and how: A sighted user with vision loss might try to…
It’s Easier to Remove Physical or Digital Barriers than Mental Ones
It’s a lot easier to remove physical or digital barriers than mental ones. When I encounter a planter blocking my wheelchair path, I can ask someone to move it. It’s a straightforward request where both the barrier and the solution…
Accessibility Meme: Progress Towards Perfection
The mantra “progress over perfection” is often uttered in the context of accessibility and inclusion. While this sentiment encourages movement and action, I feel the better approach is to strive for “progress towards perfection.” That one-word change is about two…
My disability is NOT a superpower. My superpower is my ability to solve problems when others create barriers by not including my disability
Disability is not a magical gift that grants the recipient extraordinary abilities. It is a condition that frequently creates barriers in a world not designed with us in mind. The true superpower lies in the ingenuity, perseverance, and resourcefulness that…
Accessibility Meme: The internet is biased. Generative AI is based on the internet
The internet is biased. Generative AI is based on the internet. Therefore, Generative AI output is biased. People crafting queries to input into to Generative AI (like ChatGPT, Gemini, Bard, or Co-pilot, just to name a few) must explicitly include…
Accessibility is Never Accidental
Accessibility is always intentional. It does not happen by accident. Here is a non-exhaustive list of some very intentional steps any organization can take to improve its accessibility. Plan from the beginning: Accessibility needs to be part of the initial…
Accessibility Meme: People often talk about “AI” in absolute terms
People often talk about “AI” in absolute terms, as if it’s a single entity: “AI is great!” “AI is the future” “AI is terrible!” “AI should be banned!” But AI is definitely not a single thing. AI is based on…
Compliance is a checkbox. Inclusion is a mindset. if your goal is meeting the standards, you are not truly accessible or inclusive
Compliance is a Checkbox, Inclusion is a Mindset. Compliance means following the law. True inclusion is about creating a space where everyone feels valued and included. If your goal stops at “meeting the standards” you’re not truly accessible or inclusive.…
Accommodations Fail: How Lack of a Sign Language Interpreter Led to EEOC Filing Discrimination Charges Against Amazon
Introduction Another day, another multi-billion dollar company fired an employee instead of providing a sign language interpreter. The EEOC takes a specific interest in discrimination against employees with hearing loss, which is the most common disability in the workplace. In…
Accessibility Meme: funding for disabled-led startups.
Startups and disability inclusion: Let’s talk numbers. For every $1 million invested in startups: $975,000 goes to startups without disabled leadership. $25,000 goes to a startup with a disabled voice. It’s time to change the narrative and ensure everyone has…
