Accessibility Blueprint

23/01/2025

This week, I want to highlight the BrokenLifts.org website: https://www.brokenlifts.org/.
BrokenLifts is a grassroots initiative providing real-time information about out-of-service elevators in Berlin’s public transportation system. For wheelchair users and others who depend on elevators, this resource saves people from wasted trips and gives them back some control over their commutes. It's a shining example of accessibility innovation and community problem-solving.

But here’s the bitter irony: while Berlin excels in transparency with resources like this, the city falls short where it truly matters—safety. Last week, a man d1ed after his wheelchair became trapped between metro carriages. This preventable tragedy highlights a systemic failure that utterly failed to address the needs of wheelchair-using passengers. This makes my blood boil because countless times, I have discussed with a nearby passenger about what to do if I get stuck. You can read the heartbreaking story [here](https://www.anews.com.tr/world/2025/01/19/man-dies-after-wheelchair-trapped-between-berlin-metro-carriages).

This contrast between doing an above-average job in one area and allowing catastrophic failures in another speaks volumes. You aren't done until the entire experience, from convenience to life-and-death safety, is accessible, inclusive, and designed to protect everyone.

If Berlin can create something as impactful as brokenlifts.org, it can address the gaps that led to this tragedy. This isn’t just about lifts or gaps in trains. It’s about valuing all human lives, even disabled ones.

Alt: BrokenLift.org landing page.

Finde heraus, welche Aufzüge im Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg funktionieren und welche momentan außer Betrieb sind.

22/01/2025

Stop accepting "At Least They Tried" as an excuse for inaccessibility.

How often have you heard someone say, “At least they tried,” in response to something related to disability that was incomplete, inaccessible, or created more problems than it solved? This phrase may sound supportive, but it does more harm than good. "At least they tried" lowers the bar for accessibility and reinforces the idea that half-hearted efforts are enough to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Progress over perfection only works when the progress continues and when participation from people with disabilities is included and their feedback incorporated.

Accessibility isn’t optional or an afterthought—it’s a civil right. Treating it as anything less perpetuates exclusion and sends a harmful message: that some people deserve full access while others should settle for scraps.

In this blog, I explain why we must move past empty praise for “trying” and focus on creating real change. Learn how accessible design improves experiences for everyone and why it must be embedded from the start, not half-heartedly implemented later.

Let's stop applauding mediocrity and start celebrating meaningful progress. Be the Accessibility Yoda. Accessibility isn’t about trying; it’s about doing.






Read the full blog here.

Football flying through the air to the right of the field goal posts We've all heard it before: "At least they tried." I’ve heard this phrase so often,...

21/01/2025

One day down, 1,460 to go.

We know what happened last time. Pending accessibility regulations were killed, and the Department of Justice went silent on critical issues. The message was clear: accessibility and disability rights were not a priority.

This time, we cannot wait for change from the top. The president has no authority over state courts, and disability activism needs to move there. Local action drives real progress. State-level lawsuits, legislation, and advocacy can force the change that federal inaction tries to block.

And before you comment, “LinkedIn isn’t a place for politics,” let me remind you: disability is political. All civil rights are political. When my civil rights are harmed by the executive branch, it is absolutely political. You can't talk about disability or accessibility without being political. If you think this is the wrong place for this post, you should be asking yourself why you are only noticing now that I am political when I have been political all along.

Alt: Now, more than ever, Americans need to double down on accessibility. 85 million of your friends, co-workers and neighbors are counting on you.

17/01/2025

Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to call the 5% of employees facing layoffs "low performers" reflects a failure to consider systemic barriers that affect many workers. This disproportionately impacts employees with disabilities, those returning from FMLA, and people affected by war or natural disasters.

Facebook recently gutted its DEI program, so I don’t expect inclusivity from them. But nothing stops readers here from ensuring their workplaces are more equitable. Let’s discuss how ableism shows up in performance reviews and layoffs.

I also foresee litigation. Labeling people in this way creates bias and dismisses real-world challenges employees face. It’s time for leaders to build transparent, inclusive systems that value potential over rigid metrics.

For his ableist behavior this award goes to Mark Zuckerberg

News Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/bloomberg-reports-meta-lay-off-5-staff-117695870 #:~:text=Catch%20up%20on%20the%20developing,new%20workers%20to%20replace%20them.

News reports say that social media company Meta Platforms is planning to cut 5% of total staff this year by terminating staff based on performance and hiring new workers to replace them

16/01/2025

When organizations make unsubstantiated marketing claims and sell into markets that protect consumers, the company making the claims should not be surprised when the pendulum swings back and bonks them in the head.

Companies selling accessibility overlays have frequently promised "instant compliance" and "automatic fixes" to ADA compliance and digital accessibility requirements. After years of accessibility subject matter experts calling this out, these claims are finally now under scrutiny by regulatory agencies and judges.

According to the just released 2024 UsableNet report, over 25% of accessibility-related lawsuits now target companies using overlays. That report comes on top of:

- A million-dollar FTC fine against Accessibe for misleading marketing claims.
- A class action lawsuit against UserWay (now part of Level Access) by one of their customers, a company that sells online flowers.
- A class action lawsuit filed last summer against Accessibe by one of their customers, a medical practice.
- A settlement between ADP and Lighthouse for the Blind regarding ADPs use of AudioEye.

Overstating product capabilities is like speeding. You might not get caught the first 50 times you speed, but eventually, you will likely get caught. Consequences can range from small, such as the expense of a ticket and training, to potentially losing insurance, the right to drive, perhaps injuring another driver and even jail time. The same goes for relying on overlays as a shortcut to accessibility. Cutting corners may seem easy now, but it may come at the cost of more significant and vastly more expensive problems down the road.

People with disabilities are the winners on this , whose voices and lived experiences have long exposed these harmful practices. Lawsuits and fines are necessary to hold businesses accountable and ensure accessibility solutions genuinely deliver on their promises. Otherwise, the cycle of exclusion continues.

Alt: Vector illustration of people with disabilities. showing a man in a wheelchair, a blind girl with a guide dog, a girl with psoriasis and others in a group photograph.

15/01/2025

Hope for the best and prepare for the worst is how many disabled people navigate life.

As DEI programs shrink or disappear entirely at companies like Facebook, McDonald’s, and Harley-Davidson, the responsibility of advocating for workplace inclusion increasingly falls on disabled employees. This shift is disheartening, but it doesn’t mean options are gone.

Taking proactive steps can help safeguard your rights and needs. Document feedback to clarify expectations and record conversations. Formalize accommodations to ensure they are protected regardless of leadership changes. Build external support networks through advocacy groups, mentorship, and community events.

The rollback of DEI programs is a challenge, but the disability community has always found strength through resilience and collective action. Together, we can push for equity and thrive in uncertain environments.


➡️ Read the full article for practical strategies:

Chain of paper cut out figures with one missing in the middle Over the past few years, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs have become more...

14/01/2025

Consent, by its very definition, means agreeing to something with a complete understanding of what you are agreeing to. But what happens when information isn’t presented in a way that someone can understand?

- If a person with vision loss can’t access text via a screen reader or magnification
- If a person with cognitive disabilities can’t process the language because it’s filled with jargon
- If a Deaf person isn't provided access to sign language interpretation in a doctor's office

Informed consent does not exist under these circumstances. That’s not just unethical; it’s somewhere at the intersection of negligence, breach of contract, and illegal behavior.

Accessible communication is the cornerstone of consent. If the information isn’t available in a way everyone can understand, it’s not valid, enforceable consent.

Consent forms, terms and conditions, cookie notices, and privacy policies, and GDPR forms need to follow WCAG at a minimum. Otherwise, we’re failing those who need protection the most.

Alt: informed consent that is not accessible is not consent.

13/01/2025

January 1st is when a lot of new laws regarding hiring take effect. This one will significantly improve inclusion for applicants with disabilities

California’s new law prohibits mentioning a driver’s license in job descriptions unless driving is an actual part of the job. Requiring a license excludes qualified candidates who can’t drive, like many people with disabilities.

Did you know that 1 in 3 people with disabilities cannot drive? This includes individuals with conditions like epilepsy, low vision, or blindness who may have every skill and qualification needed for the job but can't drive due to medical reasons. A driver’s license should never be a barrier to applying for a job where driving isn't required.

This law is a step forward in creating equitable opportunities and ensuring job descriptions reflect what’s truly needed for the role. Focus on including real requirements in jobs, not arbitrary meaningless exclusions.

https://www.littler.com/publication-press/publication/california-limits-discretion-employers-have-insist-drivers-license

Alt: Stop SignSign with the caption: It is now illegal in California to mention drivers licenses in a Job Description unless driving is part of the job.

10/01/2025

Today's award goes to Kirk. This post will provide a short and long explanation of why he won this week's award.

If you don't know the name, he is the latest in Trump's right-wing evangelical supporters.

He thinks we should get rid of interpreters. Here's a quote from one of his discussions:

“Can we please just go away with half the screen during these emergency briefings to the sign language interpreters? ... This is just over the top.”

Short explanation: Charlie, I'm going to point you to a Bible verse that makes you a hypocrite.

Leviticus 19:14
"You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord."

Now for the long explanation. Before my deaf daughter was born, I did think that ASL and captions were redundant. Now, I know better. Here are some reasons why they are NOT the same

Providing sign language interpreters and captions serves distinct accessibility needs. ASL is not English. It is an independent language with grammar and cultural nuances, making interpreters essential for deaf individuals who use ASL as their primary language. Interpreters provide real-time, dynamic communication that aligns with Deaf culture and reduces cognitive effort by delivering information directly in the user’s native language.

Captions are valuable for those fluent in reading but may present challenges for many deaf individuals with lower English proficiency. While helpful, real-time captions are prone to errors, especially with fast-paced or technical language or captioning people who are non-native English speakers, which can lead to mistakes. Captions lack ASL's cultural context and emotional depth, making them less effective.

While captions are great for pre-recorded content, interpreters are crucial for live interactions, ensuring inclusivity and engagement. Choosing the right approach depends on the audience’s needs, emphasizing that accessibility isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Alt: A video of Charlie Kirk addressing an audience with the statement calling for eliminating sign language interpreters during emergency briefings: “It's a distraction”

Charlie Kirk calls for eliminating sign language interpreters during emergency briefings: “It's a distraction” Kirk: “Can we please just go away with half the screen during these emergency briefings to the sign language interpreters? ... This is just over the top.” Written by Media Matters S...

09/01/2025

This post goes to a company that has developed great accessibility resources and made them free.

Intopia is an Australian-based accessibility consultancy creating a more inclusive digital world through thoughtful design, consulting, and tools. Their Figma Accessibility Annotation Kit is a fantastic resource for designers and developers looking to improve collaboration during the design handoff process. See it at https://www.figma.com/design/hzomWOcSdpP7LBODv7bS5m/Intopia's-accessibility-annotation-kit-(Community)?node-id=0-1&p=f&t=ziVxvEC53WbdwpI0-0

Using Figma to annotate accessibility choices ensures that key details such as color contrast, keyboard focus, and screen reader instructions don’t get lost. Embedding accessibility into design workflows makes it easier for developers to implement inclusive features and create better experiences for everyone.

Creating accessible products starts with accessible design. If that is your goal and your organization uses Figma, check out Intopia’s annotation kit and enhance your collaboration and inclusivity.

Alt: Landing page of Intopia on figma.com with the caption: Accessibility annotation kit.

Created with Figma

07/01/2025

Disability narratives are deeply personal. For some, viewing a disability as a “superpower” is empowering. It reframes the experience in a positive light. But it’s critical to acknowledge that not everyone with the same disability has access to the same opportunities or support systems that make that perspective possible.

Saying your disability is a superpower often reflects privilege. It may mean you had:

- Access to money that covered adaptive technologies, therapies, or services.
- A support system that helped you navigate barriers and succeed.
- Resources that allowed you to mitigate challenges others with the same disability face daily.

I want to emphasize that that doesn't mean your life wasn't hard. It does mean that you had easier circumstances than some others.

Framing your disability as a superpower can be empowering for you. Still, from the perspective of other people with similar disabilities, you risk ignoring or minimizing the systemic inequities that may have prevented them from thriving. It can inadvertently shift focus from the real need for societal change to personal triumph, perpetuating the idea that “success” is an individual achievement rather than the result of dismantling barriers for everyone.

When people with disabilities don’t have access to adequate healthcare, education, employment opportunities, or accommodations, their experiences look very different. For many, disability isn’t a superpower, it’s a constant fight against systems that exclude and undervalue them. Add in intersectional identities such as gender, ethnicity, and LGBTQ+ status and the burden only grows.

Instead of leaning into narratives that center privilege, we should focus on creating equitable systems. We need to ensure that every person with a disability has access to the tools and opportunities that allow them to live full and independent lives—whether they view their disability as a superpower or not.

Alt: When you say your disability is a superpower, your are showing your privilege. It means you had access to money, resources, or support that others with your disability didn't have.