The Beauty of Accessibility, at WordCamp Boston

Blog

July 26, 2018 by Harry Jackson

I just returned from a great weekend at WordCamp Boston. Last year I had the pleasure of speaking at the very same camp—but this year we tried something new. I brought along our Charging Station to keep attendees powered.

Accessibility was a common focus at this year’s WordCamp Boston, and it enriched the event experience for attendees.

Accessibility

When you think of accessibility, what comes to mind? Do you think of ramps and elevators for those with mobility issues? Do you think about web standards such as the WCAG 2.0 AA and AAA? One of the best talks I ever heard on accessibility was by Kevin John Gallagher at the 2013 Joomla World Conference: That was five years ago. These days, accessibility is an even hotter topic, as lawsuits are emerging amidst the rush to make websites accessible. But to this day, many websites still don’t comply with accessibility laws.

“No One Asked for It Yet.”

Whenever I ask a website owner why their website isn’t accessible, the answer is typically along the lines of, “No one asked for it yet, so it must not be a problem for our users.” I get a similar answer whenever I ask live event organizers why their event isn’t more accessible. I truly hope this changes.

All Events Should Strive to Be Like WordCamp

WordCamp is different. I have a huge list of allergies. Every WordCamp, I get an email asking what they can do to accommodate my allergies. I understand what it’s like to have limited options, so that nice touch by WordCamp is deeply appreciated. Also, it’s important to me to include others with dietary restrictions in the fun too. I remember the WordCamp organizers asking, “Do you have any accessibility needs, such as a sign language interpreter or wheelchair access, to participate in WordCamp?” WordCamp Boston had Live Captioning available, which helps those with hearing issues—but it also helps visual learners absorb the information easier. In speaking with others who went to this WordCamp, I know the Live Captioning was really appreciated. It’s also seriously impressive how skilled the captioners are. The contractors, White Coat Captioning, had an unrivaled level of accuracy. https://twitter.com/BrianDeConinck/status/1020656379042902017 It’s considerations like the above that makes a tremendous difference in the lives of event-goers. Of course event organizers aren’t out to make their events inaccessible. But they have a responsibility to consider the entire community, and not just those who are outspoken about their needs. On a recent BoldLife Episode we talk about accessibility and inclusion at events that’s worth listening to. We all can learn from other events and make our communities welcoming and available to everyone. WordCamp is leading by example and this makes their events a pleasure to attend. I highly suggest you check out a upcoming WordCamp near you.