I've been working in digital accessibility for a couple decades. I've been using screen readers for testing a "fair bit" over those years. But I'm not a daily user of this AT. I'm not blind and don't have low vision.

#a11y

1/10

I do not know what it's like to rely on a screen reader to be able to function online. It's not part of my lived experience.

While I leverage years of accumulated knowledge and discussions with blind screen reader users, I have knowledge gaps. We all do!

2/10

I appreciate being able to reach out to blind screen reader users and ask their opinions on things when I'm unsure. I am privileged to know folks willing and able to assist with the odd question.

This goes back to "Nothing about us without us".

3/10

That is, don't build accessible things without getting input from disabled users. Don't do it FOR disabled users, do it WITH disabled users.

And realize that every disabled person generally can only talk to their own lived experience.

#a11y

4/10

Disabled folks are rarely experts on all experiences for all disabled people. Some, like me, have had the opportunity to work closely with, and learn from, thousands of interactions with other disabled folks. We. Still. Have. Knowledge. Gaps!

5/10

If you're a designer or developer and you haven't interacted with disabled folks, you may not even know where your accessibility knowledge gaps are. Or that you have knowledge gaps. I guarantee you - you do!

#a11y

6/10

Do yourself and disabled users a favor: Learn about accessibility. Realize digital accessibility is not about "conforming to WCAG", but about making use of digital assets inclusive, usable, and easy for disabled users.

#a11y

7/10

Read up on the disability experience. Listen to podcasts with disabled users (plug for my own show: Check out https://a11yrules.com/series/a11y-rules-soundbite/ for disabled folks talking about the barriers they encounter on the web). Follow disabled users here on Twitter.

Become a true ally! #a11y

8/10

Realize that while a lot of disabled folks are happy to answer questions, sometimes we aren't. Sometimes you may be the 25th person to ask a question that day and there's only so much time and energy people have to help others. Don't get offended if the person won't help.

9/10

Consider paying disabled folks to give you feedback or test your product.

Do actively take steps to remediate your knowledge gaps. You'll be a better designer or developer for it. Heck, a better person altogether!

10/10