Typically, the question of accessibility online is considered in technical terms: How does this website need to be designed? What ALT text is appropriate for this image? Are captions available for this video? And obviously, knowing the technical aspects of accessibility is important.
But if accessibility stops at the technical requirements, we forget that there are people on the other side of those checklists and manuals. We forget that even the most rigorous checklist can’t account for everyone and their experiences. We forget to ask critical questions that seem obvious when it comes to a backstage pass but are readily dismissed when it comes to most other social spaces.
In the 3rd episode of my 5-part series on Decoding Empathy, I talk with Erin Perkins, an accessibility educator and the founder of MabelyQ, and draw on the work of disability studies scholar Tanya Titchkosky to theorize the overlap between access and empathy—and what it means for you.
Footnotes:
Every episode of What Works is also available in essay form at whatworks.fyi
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EP 310: Unlearning Default Thoughts With Financial Coach Keina Newell
EP 309: How To Change Your Perspective
EP 308: Leveraging Old Skills & Learning New Ones With Bouquet Stock Photography Founders Dana Kaye & Felton Kizer
EP 307: Mastering A New Model With The Light House Founder Christianne Squires
EP 306: Finding A New Way To Communicate With Writer Kris Windley
EP 305: How To Keep Speaking Up (Even When Things Go Wrong)
EP 304: Speaking To New Audiences With Rebel Therapist Founder Annie Schuessler
EP 303: Creating A Curated Newsletter With #jesspicks Creator Jessica Williams
EP 302: Connecting With Confidence with Brand Builders Academy Creator Suz Chadwick
EP 301: Taking A Stand With Tell Me A Story Founder Hillary Rea
EP 300: Celebrating A Milestone With Emily Thompson, Elsie Escobar, Jessica Kupferman & Tara McMullin
EP 299: How To Design Your Own Sales System
EP 298: Creating A Less Harmful Sales System with Wanderwell Founder Kate Strathmann
EP 297: Selling A New Program With Proof To Product Founder Katie Hunt
EP 296: Putting The Humanity Back In Sales With Lawyer Autumn Witt Boyd
EP 295: It’s Always A Work In Progress
BONUS: Refining How I Offer Business Support Over The Long-Term
EP 294: Refining Your Offer With SpeakEasy Cooperative Founder Michelle Markwart Deveaux
BONUS: Why We Chose Productized Services For YellowHouse.Media
EP 293: Offering Bespoke Services With Flaunt Your Fire Founder India Jackson
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