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Re: Advice for those interested in accessibility

for

From: chagnon@pubcom.com
Date: Jan 21, 2020 9:00AM

Good question!
For starters, accessibility is about more than websites, so someone needs to
have at least a basic understanding of all media: websites, PDFs, Office
documents, EPUBs, social media, apps for mobile, apps for online education,
and new future technologies. Then they can focus on one or two for their
specialization.
Any certifications in these technologies is very useful as well, such as MOS
(Microsoft Office Specialist) and Adobe's PDF accessibility certification.
And, of course, accessibility certificates such as those from IAAP and DHS'
Trusted Tester.
Working directly with people who use assistive technologies is also
invaluable.
Degrees in computer science are good, but they focus mainly on programming
and leave out accessibility and basic functionality for the humans that use
computer technologies. Wish that wasn't the case!
Regarding the standards, I don't know how helpful they actually are today.
Too long, complex, and overwhelming. Over-engineered to the point that those
who must use them are stymied. The KISS principal has been lost!

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PubCom: Technologists for Accessible Design + Publishing
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-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> > On Behalf Of
Michael Ausbun
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 10:27 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Subject: [WebAIM] Advice for those interested in accessibility

Greetings,
If you had someone, or a series of someones, interested in a
career in accessibility, what advice might you give them to prepare or to
ease their gaining, maintaining, or advancing a career in accessibility?

* College/university degrees in computer science, software development,
instructional design or educational technology?
* Bootcamps designed around web development?
* Just read the specifications!
* I.A.A.P. is a good place to start!
* Education around, and exposure to, training disabled people in the use
of their technology?
* A combination of these?
* None of these!
* Something else?
I know a lot of disabled people who are unemployed or under employed,
interested in a career in accessibility. Time and time again though, they
are turned away from the table and provided little to no feedback in what
specifically they can do to be better prepared to get a place at the table.
I thought it might be a good idea to have others thoughts what it would
take, so when I give advice to my network I can do so confident in the
collective knowledge of experts who have, collectively, been around
improving access for generations.
Thanks for any thoughts!
Respectfully,
Michael
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