Barriers to embracing accessibility
Throughout my work on NewsA11y, I've strived to make it as approachable as possible, which is hopefully reflected in the execution of the prototype web app. Doing so required me to identify certain accessibility myths and how to best address them:
Myth #1: Accessibility is hard Solution: Make accessibility approachable
NewsA11y focuses on humanizing the concept of accessibility. Instead of regurgitating insurmountable “best practices” checklists, it creates an environment where heartfelt and thoughtful dialogue can flourish. It defies the industry misconception that accessibility is hard and cumbersome.
When most people try to learn more about accessibility, they stumble upon the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The W3C’s website can be incredibly overwhelming and intimidating to the accessibility newcomer because of its dense information and verbose, technical language. The W3C’s Accessibility Standards, called “Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0” (WCAG 2.0), alone total around 700 printed pages.
A developer might start out with the best intentions to implement accessibility per the WCAG 2.0, but eventually hits a roadblock and surrenders.
Despite the shortcomings of the WCAG 2.0, they are a solid starting point because creating my own accessibility standards would only fragment and slow down progress. NewsA11y supports the WCAG 2.0 and incorporates it into the information architecture of the site.
With the help of Luke McGrath’s book, How to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, I broke each guideline standard into categories and subcategories. I interpreted the original definitions to the best of my ability and wrote plain-language versions.
Myth #2: Accessibility means alt text and captions Solution: Craft an inclusive environment that encourages an iterative design cycle
It has been both delightful and incredibly frustrating to see an increase of articles, videos and podcasts championing accessibility. While I love the awareness it provides, it seems the author’s focus is often on quick fixes for blind people. Little focus is placed on cognitive disabilities or on accommodations for different degrees of disabilities.
NewsA11y has taught me that accommodating for disabilities is always ongoing, and we should aim for constant improvement. Although concrete barriers exist, I have learned that there are also putty-like barriers that yield to flexible solutions. I have learned that the industry experts do not always have the answers.
Myth #3: Accessibility means sacrificing creativity Solution: Serve as an example that challenges disability stereotypes
For every category (accessibility guideline), I designed an accompanying icon to help visually illustrate its meaning. I considered every aspect of NewsA11y as an opportunity to demonstrate the creativity that an accessible-first mindset fosters. I pushed myself to create artwork that was as non-representational as possible, because I want NewsA11y to set a stage for reevaluating what we traditionally associate with the term “disability.”
For instance, the word itself might trigger mental pictures of someone in a wheelchair despite the myriad of disabilities types. Because many of the categories are incredibly abstract and complex ideas, this was an opportunity to challenge myself as a designer and push myself beyond my first few ideas.
Myth #4: Accessibility testing is expensive and cumbersome Solution: NewsA11y’s individualized accessibility testing
Currently, accessibility testing doesn’t fit well into the newsroom production cycle. Not only can it be expensive, but it can also be a slow-moving process. It also doesn’t yield itself to small unit testing.
NewsA11y will differentiate itself by allowing organizations to test projects of all sizes rapidly and privately.