Originally published in the Spring/Summer 2021 issue of Diversability Every day in the US, a conversation like the following one occurs: Employee with disability: I can’t do X because of Y. Some examples of this might include, “I can’t use…
ITI announces free training on authoring and reading ACRs/VPATs
This training will quickly teach you how to produce and consume essential documentation on product accessibility. The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) is the premier global advocate for technology, representing the world’s most innovative companies. ITI promotes public policies and industry standards…
Sustainability starts with disability inclusion and accessibility.
For starters, for every 1 % increase in people with disabilities working, $25 billion would be added to the US economy. Many people start the year with New Year’s resolutions: Reduce, reuse, recycle Purchase more sustainable solutions Buy local But each of…
If somebody can use it, somebody can misuse it
Software development and the “doctrine of foreseeable misuse.” There is a portion of the American legal system under the category of negligence called “strict product liability,” also referred to as SPL. Under SPL, anyone in the product chain (seller, distributor, or…
Is an “identity model” replacing the charitable, medical, and social models of disability?
The next stage of evolution in how the global community views disability Part one of a three-part article. See part two on language choices associated with disability/accessibility here. Language is a strange and powerful thing. So are sociological models for traits…
Technology doesn’t make accessibility hard. People who don’t care do.
Everything that makes accessibility difficult ties back to one root cause: People not giving a damn about others who are different. These are the different categories of people you will run into in corporate settings that will make life difficult…
Four corporate disability equity truths
Permanent improvements in disability equity are impossible without understanding and dealing with these categorical truths. People with disabilities do not have access to equal business opportunities. If you don’t believe that, I ask you to look at Exhibits 1 and…
Ten Tips for Creating Effective Accessibility Workshops
For starters, re-imagine your all-day workshop in an “all you can eat buffet” format, not a single 12-course dinner. 1. Short 5–10 minute segments in repetitive “learn-do” cycles generally work better than live workshops It is challenging for people to take a…
Got sued under the ADA for inaccessibility? – Part 2
Here is what you can expect. Part 2 of a two-part article Read Part 1 of this article here about recouping costs for accessibility lawsuits when others are at fault. This article is not legal advice. This is a general opinion article…
2021 accessibility predictions
Yeah, machine learning and personalization made the list, but I also have a couple of other thoughts. It’s time for the annual “Year-End” accessibility predictions. Machine Learning Machine learning is going to continue to be exceptionally important to the advancement…