Most of us are born with our limbs, fingers and toes, eyesight, and hearing intact. But that’s not true for 1 in 4 American adults or more than 40% of post-9/11 Veterans who have some type of disability. I was one of the lucky ones. I didn’t have a care in the world and didn’t really understand the need for it personally, but I cared about those who did. As a VA employee and one who became involved with the web, as accessibility was becoming an important issue, I started learning about all the things we could do to assist those who needed it. Accessibility isn’t just about the web, though. It is about all digital or electronic assets. Anything we do electronically — email, documents, web, kiosks — anything considered “information and communications technology.”
It is everyone’s responsibility
Accessibility is everyone’s responsibility. We all need to know how to make our work accessible. Don’t depend on others to do it for you. Learn what needs to be done to make your products or services accessible yourself. Why? You never know when it may become personal. I was diagnosed with diabetes as an adult about 12 years ago. This past year, it started affecting my eyesight. Now, I am having difficulties with color contrast (or perception) and other issues associated with the disease. It really makes you understand why this is so important.
It Matters
When you can’t see something on a screen because you can’t see the text color on the background — it matters. When you can’t hear a video, and there is no closed caption to help you understand the message — it matters. It matters to the person being impacted and should matter to the person providing the product or service. And if you can’t figure out why, maybe you shouldn’t be providing that product or service, especially for this agency! Our Veterans put their lives on the line for our freedom. If that doesn’t matter, I really don’t know what does anymore!
Fortunately, I still consider myself one of the lucky ones. I can control the progression of what is happening with my eyesight and will not lose it. And yes, honestly, this is my own fault for not doing what I should have done after being diagnosed, I’ll take that on myself. This has made me even more focused on making sure that the work that I, and those that I support, produce is accessible by everyone who wants to use, view, or read it!
If you or your co-workers are responsible for document preparation or website creation and maintenance, it is crucial that you understand not only Section 508-compliance but accessibility in VA. If it hasn’t already, it may eventually impact you or your family. Please do your part!
