Introduction
Since we are both totally blind, we both have the necessary lived
experience to understand how frustrating it can be when those of us who
use assistive technologies receive inaccessible digital content. On the
other hand, we both have experienced the feelings of inclusion that come
when those of us who use assistive technologies are provided digital
content that is accessible to us. Since we are committed to doing what
we can to ensure the world is more accessible to and inclusive of those
of us with disabilities, we want to work with you to ensure your digital
content is accessible to those of us with disabilities who use assistive
technologies.
Why Our Testing of Digital Content is Unique
Usability Verses Accessibility
Sadly, so-called accessibility in the digital world has become
synonymous with compliance with standards like the Web Content
Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 (Section 508). Our view is that compliance with sets of
standards developed without meaningful participation from those of us
with disabilities has resulted in large amounts of digital content
passing automated testing tools, being deemed accessible, but not actually being usable by those of us who use assistive technologies.
What is Different About Our Approach to Testing
When we test your digital content for usability, we aren’t trying to
see if a tool developed by a company to determine if criteria developed
largely by corporations and government officials believes your content
is accessible to those of us with disabilities. Instead, we (as disabled
people) use screen readers and braille displays to see if we can
interact with and use your content as you intend your users to interact
with and use your digital content.
When we agree your digital content is usable to those of us who use
assistive technologies, you will know that native users of assistive
technologies are able to get out of and do with your digital content
what you intend all of your users to get from and do with your digital
content.
Becoming Your Digital Usability Partner
Since we aren’t going to merely run your digital content through
automated testing tools and send you reports generated by those
automated testing tools, we need to charge more than do the companies
who have sighted people run your digital content through automated
testing tools you could run yourself. And since our approach to testing
digital content is more time consuming than simply running digital
content through automated tools, we cannot provide our digital content
testing services to every potential client. So, we are only interested
in being hired to test the digital content of those entities who are
truly interested in partnering with us to ensure native users of
assistive technologies, like us, have similar experiences when using
your digital content as people who don’t use assistive technologies have
when using your digital content.
What we Don’t Do
Since we are both totally blind, we cannot test your digital content
for things (like color contrast and keyboard-only navigation) that are
important. Even though we cannot directly test your digital content for
strictly visual issues, we can suggest automated tools and testing
techniques you can use to ensure your digital content is accessible to
people with low vision, color blindness, and other visual
disabilities.
Working with Your Customers
Since we are striving to be your digital usability partner, we aren’t
simply going to send you an automated report and cash your check. Once
we certify your digital content can be used by native users of assistive
technologies, we will work with your users/customers who use assistive
technologies to ensure they can use your digital content as you expect
it to be used and how we know it can be used by users of assistive
technologies. We can work with your customers by developing podcast-like
audio files you can post to your website designed to help users of
assistive technologies understand how your digital content can be
interacted with and used by users of assistive technologies. If some of
your users/customers need additional assistance, we will individually
work with them to help them understand how to interact with and use your
digital content. In this way, we will not only be helping users of
assistive technologies learn how to interact with and use your digital
content, we may also help them develop skills that can help them make
better use of a host of digital content.