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Re: is digital accessibility the right path for me?

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From: L Snider
Date: Dec 4, 2023 1:26PM

Hi Victoria,

I applaud you for being so open and honest in your email. This is just my 2
cents after reading your email. Digital accessibility is a tough gig, it
takes years to learn the nuance of it. I would never dissuade anyone not to
do it, but in my view and experience it takes passion and persistence to
make it happen, and that isn't quick...If you aren't passionate about it,
being a consultant will be really hard. I read your email, and your passion
is in being a certified sexual health and wellness coach. Why not find
something that relates to disability, barriers, and that specific field?
That way you are working toward your dream career, and you work with
accessibility, but in a different way? Plus, it would give you 'difference'
in that field, that maybe others won't come to it with?

Just my 2 cents!

Cheers

Lisa


On Mon, Dec 4, 2023 at 10:20 AM Victoria Chan < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> Hi there.
>
>
>
> Could someone be honest with me and tell me if I'm trying to fit a square
> peg into a round hole? I think I need a reality check and some help
> contemplating life. LOL
>
> For those of you who work in the digital accessibility field, is it
> important to have a background in web design and development?
>
> I've been trying to freelance as a digital accessibility consultant for the
> last year, but I'm not sure if this is working for me. I thought my
> personal
> experience and the courses that I took through Deque University were
> enough,
> but after talking to some people who have worked in digital accessibility
> for some time, I recognize that I don't have the knowledge and skills that
> is needed in order to perform proper accessibility audits and
> implementation. I have never been tech savvy to begin with. I mean I can
> easily tell if a platform is accessible based on my own personal needs and
> experiences with screen readers, but I could not for the life of me explain
> the problem, nor could I offer a solution. If you asked me a question about
> html and css, I would be totally lost. I honestly don't remember much from
> the Deque University courses, other than how different screen readers work.
> I also tried to take the section 508 trusted tester certification course
> through DHS, but I was completely out of my element and found it way too
> overwhelming, thus I was unable to complete the program. My friend's
> brother
> who is a business coach suggested that perhaps I could go on Upwork and try
> to find somebody who knows how to implement accessibility, and I have
> actually looked into it, but still... If I'm being completely honest with
> myself, a tech career is not for me. I just needed something to tie me over
> so that I could generate some passive income while studying to pursue my
> dream career as a certified sexual health and wellness coach. What are
> y'all's thoughts? I will admit that my decision to freelance as a digital
> accessibility consultant was rather impulsive. I went into this with the
> mindset that I'd be able to make money quickly as I've had a hard time
> finding steady employment.
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
> Victoria
>
> > > > >