Companies that view VPATs as a “checkbox” exercise frequently confuse the two. In reality, VPATs can be chock-full of exceptions that block people who use assistive technology from getting in the front door. I try to write thoughtful, sometimes geeky…
Accessibility and Open Source
Open Source projects can improve adoption and spread the “accessibility love” if they make their base code work for people with disabilities. Contributors can help. More and more companies are either consuming or producing open source software. However, very few…
Building a Robust Accessibility Program
VMware is building a new high-impact accessibility program for its customers with disabilities The number one reason why people with disabilities are frequently unable to use software is the failure of those that own and control the software or content…
Accessibility Bingo
This is not a game you want to win. Especially in Blackout mode You know that conference call Bingo meme? I adapted it for accessibility 🙂 I picked the 25 most annoying and impactful #AccessibilityFail behaviors that I could think…
A Happy Accessibility Article
Accessibility isn’t punishment, it is about helping others so they can do all the things people without disabilities take for granted A lot of accessibility articles (mine included) are negative and/or depressing. On any given day, at least half of…
How Tech has Changed Disability
The life of a person with a disability can still be difficult, but it is improved by tech — as long as you have access, and can afford it. Occasionally when I find myself in one of those “dammit why…
Life Before the ADA
The ADA turned 29 last week. These are things that people thought were acceptable before the ADA passed. This is what my life USED to be like No curb cuts My mother is 5′ 4″ and 120 lbs soaking wet.…
Accessibility Fail Fast — Execution
Second Part of a Two-part article Part one is located here Accessibility Fail Fast Step 1: Smoke test using an automated accessibility test suite A smoke test is a non-exhaustive set of tests that check to see if critical functions work. The…
Accessibility Fail Fast Testing Prep
Good planning will prevent the need to run multiple complete manual accessibility test cycles. It was Thomas Edison who famously said: I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work While Thomas Edison never had to deal…
Difficult conversations about disability and birth defects
Prenatal testing is directly linked to the sharp decrease in congenital medical conditions around the developed world. Is that a good thing? TRIGGER WARNING: This article includes discussions about pregnancy termination. Any off-topic, rude, or religious-based comments will be deleted.…