YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG

Matt May

We have an image problem• Part of it is our fault• Part of it isn’t, but life’s not fair

Our reputation(earned or not)• We demand too much• We offer too little• We underestimate the work involved• We make idle threats

x is not accessible!• To whom?• For what?• With what hardware/software?• What is the impact?

x is not accessible!• …is a judgment against someone• …and possibly a claim that they have

violated– Policy or law– Civil rights

ad·vo·ca·cy (n.)The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support.

Who can be an advocate?• Developers• Designers• Users• Citizens• in any combination• with any level of ability

Advocacy to colleagues• Encouraging continuing education• Sharing best practices• Contributing code

Advocacy across disciplines• Asking for help– designers from devs, devs from

managers…• Seeing who’s paying attention• Showing leadership

Advocacy for (and by) users• Finding and showing real problems– while explaining severity/reproducibility

• Filing bugs (and following up)• Not knowing what’s wrong isn’t a

problem– but underestimating the fix is

• Listening for a response

The SentenceThis is a problemand this is how it affects peopleand you can solve itand if you don’t,these are the consequences

The SentenceThis is a problem (Convert)and this is how it affects people (Compel)and you can solve it (Convince)and if you don’t, these are the consequences (Combat)

ConvertThis is a problem.• These are your most valuable

contacts• Make them your best advocates– aka “force multipliers”

• Give the all the info/support they need

CompelThis is a problem, and this is how it affects people.• Teach them the problem set:– how PWDs use technology– where problems are usually found

• Give examples that apply concretely• Make yourself available to follow up

ConvinceThis is a problem,and this is how it affects people,and you can solve it.• Explain their role and responsibility– especially when they’re the only ones who can

fix the problem• Contribute where possible– code– resources– Q&A

Combat…and if you don’t, these are the consequences.• Don’t overplay your hand– idle threats will end your relationship

• Use the law, but don’t bluff• Don’t vilify your contact or their

organization• Keep the door open

“Complain” is not a step• Venting does not equal advocacy• Nobody wants to hear they “don’t

get it”• Frustration is understandable– even justifiable

• but it can’t lead you to alienate the people you need to help you

The SentenceThis is a problem (Convert)and this is how it affects people (Compel)and you can solve it (Convince)and if you don’t, these are the consequences (Combat)

Sidebar: is this tone policing?• Some of what we do is emotionally

charged• It’s not wrong to be angry about this

issue• But we control how we channel that

anger

Final thoughts• It is not up to “them” alone to solve• We need our own expertise– and we need to keep it current

• We need to support, sustain, and rebuild our own movement