Accessibility is the 13-letter word that means a little to some – but everything to the people who depend on it.
I make no secret about it. I’ve had a visual disability since birth, eventually losing all of my residual vision in 2008. Accessibility, to me, means having the opportunity to engage, enjoy and experience all aspects of life as anyone else would have the opportunity to do so.
When we think accessibly, we create the most likely scenario for inclusion. When we work to include everyone, we make way for diverse perspectives, new ideas and bold creativity. Now doesn’t that sound like the kind of world you’d want to live in?
I spend my 8-5 as the Assistive Technology Coordinator for Texas A&M University, and recently earned the distinction as a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies through the International Association of Accessibility Professionals.
I’m always open to talk ways you can do what you do more accessibly, offer a training on access and inclusion to your group, or help audit your content or website to ensure it’s usable to the broadest population possible.