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Re: enterprise-level accessibility evangelism

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From: Jewell, John H
Date: Jun 9, 2010 12:27PM

Katherine,

I would suggest that one of the first steps is understanding at least at
some level how the company works, both in general and specifically with
its web operations. Some corporations - like some large government
agencies - are highly structured so that identifying where to introduce
web accessibility is key. Others are highly diversified, with each part
considering themselves relatively independent and unique; their web
operations can be just as diverse with many web masters who may have a
varying degree of autonomy. It helps to have a sense of both the formal
organization chart and the real power structure, how decisions are made,
how management and staff want or need to see the business case for
decision making, etc. There may be previous projects - either successes
or failures - that help you understand what works within that company.

It may also help you identify useful examples of relevant corporate web
accessibility or lack of accessibility. For example, the Target lawsuit
and subsequent settlement make a good case for web shopping models.

It is my experience that you begin best by listening and understanding
the business/community, then developing the model and approach for
digital accessibility that works for that setting, whether in the
corporate or government world.

John Jewell