{"id":6694,"date":"2022-03-08T07:00:47","date_gmt":"2022-03-08T07:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maestrolearning.com\/?p=5229"},"modified":"2023-04-20T18:21:10","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T18:21:10","slug":"accessibility-resources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maestrolearning.com\/blogs\/accessibility-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Want to Adopt an Accessibility Mindset? 5 Resources to Inspire Self-Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the learning world, we\u2019re all motivated by the desire to inspire positive change and help people grow. That means we want to create learning experiences that serve all people, but our society is built in a way that creates barriers which disable people. That\u2019s why design is so powerful: through design, we can create a more accessible world.<\/p>\n

Accessibility (sometimes abbreviated as a11y<\/a>, which is shorthand for the 11 letters between the \u201ca\u201d and the \u201cy\u201d) is a complex topic, and you might be unsure about where to turn to start learning more. At Maestro, we\u2019re working on adopting an accessible mindset for our work and along the way, we\u2019ve encountered many great resources for building empathy, often from the voices of disabled people who are activists, storytellers, and changemakers.<\/p>\n

The more we learn about the needs of all learners, the better equipped we are to deliver learning that truly offers the support they need. We like to use self-learning resources like Ted Talks, books, podcasts, and even social media to gain knowledge around disability and connect with those who choose to share their perspectives. If you\u2019re looking for resources to inspire your own self-learning, here are five empathy-building resources to kickstart your journey.<\/p>\n

1. \u201cDemystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally\u201d<\/h2>\n

Book: Emily Ladau<\/h3>\n

Have questions about disability etiquette? You\u2019re not alone, and this book answers many of the most common questions. It inspired our team to participate in a quick thought exercise around disability and language. Let\u2019s try it out. When you see Emily, what words come to mind?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

According to disability rights activist and writer Emily Ladau, none of these words are necessarily appropriate to use when referring to someone who uses a wheelchair or has a physical disability, but they are all words she has heard used to describe her.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

More appropriate options would be to say she is a disabled person, or a person with a disability. But while these are both considered appropriate options to refer to Ladau, these two labels are not always interchangeable for everyone. What\u2019s most important to remember is that it all comes down to individual preference.<\/p>\n

In her book \u201cDemystifying Disability,\u201d Ladau offers an approachable guide for becoming a more informed and proactive ally to the disabled community. In her book, you\u2019ll find answers to the questions you have about the complex world of disability as well as tools to improve your understanding and combat ableism. Topics include the history of disability, understanding disability as part of the whole person, and disability etiquette 101. You can buy the printed, digital, and audio versions of Ladau\u2019s book here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2. \u201cI\u2019m Not Your Inspiration, Thank You Very Much\u201d<\/h2>\n

TEDx Talk: Stella Young<\/h3>\n

The late comedian, writer, and advocate Stella Young wanted to live in a world where disability isn\u2019t the exception, but the norm. In her popular TEDx Talk<\/a>, Young challenges society\u2019s habit of objectifying disabled people for the benefit of nondisabled people and invites viewers to imagine a more accessible world. The low expectations we often hold for what disabled people can accomplish\u2014Young recalls being praised for remembering her own name\u2014reflects a world that responds poorly to disabilities.<\/p>\n

Tune in to Young\u2019s light-hearted, thought-provoking talk to hear her personal story and learn about the social model of disability, which asserts that we are more disabled by the society that we live in than by our bodies and our diagnoses.<\/p>\n

3. Making the World\u2019s Software More Accessible<\/h2>\n

Design tools: Stark<\/h3>\n

Stark\u2019s suite of tools<\/a> live in your design and development software to make your work more accessible and compliant. Stark\u2019s tools integrate into products like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD\u2014for example, we use Stark\u2019s contrast checker plug-in when we work in Figma.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re already a fan of their tools, but Stark also creates and shares helpful resources<\/a>, including accessibility stories, resources, and guides. The more you expose yourself to smart resources around accessibility, the easier it gets to design with accessibility in mind.<\/p>\n

Looking for answers to some of the accessibility questions you\u2019re most curious about? Check out Stark\u2019s blog for straightforward explainers on common a11y topics\u2014we bookmarked this article on accessible contrast ratios<\/a>. There\u2019s also Stark\u2019s Public Library of accessibility resources and guides, like this collection of tips and tricks for inclusive social media<\/a>. And If you\u2019re looking for a deeper dive, browse Stark\u2019s webinars for tutorial-style learning. One of our favorites: a session on creating an inclusive illustration system<\/a> with Aldo de la Paz and Stark\u2019s CEO Cat Noone.<\/p>\n

4. \u201c13 Letters\u201d<\/h2>\n

Podcast: By My Eyes<\/h3>\n

Whether you\u2019re accessibility-curious or already a pro, the 13 Letters podcast<\/a> from By My Eyes offers a wealth of knowledge on universal design, ADA, inclusivity, and digital a11y best practices.<\/p>\n

Tune in for a diverse range of accessibility perspectives from industry leaders who are working every day to build a more accessible world. Recent episodes dive into how Spectrum is making television more accessible (it\u2019s about more than closed captions!) and what it really takes to embrace inclusive design methods.<\/p>\n

Here are a few episodes to start with that our team loved:<\/p>\n