Unlocking Inclusion: How accessibility benefits everyone
WellSky Client Success Executive Angela Peterson recently presented at All Things Open, a prominent open-source technology conference drawing designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and technologists globally. Angela was selected as one of only eight speakers for All Things Open’s Inclusion + Diversity in Open-Source event, which launched the annual conference.
Her presentation, “Unlocking Inclusion: The Vital Importance of Accessibility,” explored the critical role of digital accessibility and its positive impact on user satisfaction. Angela illustrated the "curb-cut effect" using everyday examples like audiobooks, text messaging, and electric toothbrushes. This effect describes how products initially designed for individuals with disabilities often find broader appeal and adoption due to their inherent practicality. In the digital realm, building products inclusive of users with permanent disabilities often results in a more streamlined and less complex user experience for everyone, ultimately leading to higher satisfaction.
Angela highlighted how seemingly small changes to digital products can make a significant difference. Adding page titles, headers, captions, and alternative text not only improves accessibility for users with disabilities but also enhances the overall user experience for all. These improvements contribute to a more organized, understandable, and navigable digital environment, benefiting everyone regardless of ability. By prioritizing accessibility, developers can create products that are not only inclusive but also more user-friendly and effective for a wider audience.
At WellSky, we recognize the vital importance of digital accessibility and are committed to incorporating it into our software solutions. We believe that everyone deserves access to technology, and we strive to create products that are usable and inclusive for all our clients and their users. We are inspired by presentations like Angela's and continue to learn and improve our approach to accessibility.
