Diving into Accessibility
I have a confession to make. Accessibility has been a topic that I have been aware of for the longest, but I didn't pay attention to it. It was always a topic on the periphery, something I knew was necessary, but it never became a focus until a few weeks ago when I had an opportunity to work on a Section 508 project. Section 508 is a federal law mandating that all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities.
To prepare for the project, I decided to dive into the world of Accessibility by taking an online course, reading books and articles, and even joining a Slack #a11y group for accessibility professionals. Learning the stories of people with disabilities has opened my eyes and my heart to make sure I pay attention to their needs.
It doesn't take much to make the web more accessible for everyone. As designers, we must make sure the products we create are accessed, understood, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability, or disability.
The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.
Tim Berners Lee
Here are some links to help you get started with Accessibility:
Deque Web Accessibility Course
Introduction to Web Accessibility
I am grateful to have started my journey in Accessibility and will keep sharing more on this important topic so we can build thoughtful and inclusive experiences.
Stay safe out there and see you tomorrow.