Dec 06 2024 45 mins
In White Canes Connect episode 117, co-hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein welcome Kennedy Zimnik and Karl Belanger from the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) to discuss the Accessibility Toolkit, a resource designed to empower blind and low-vision individuals to advocate for accessible technology. Kennedy, an Access Tech Specialist, and Karl, a Non-Visual Accessibility Analyst, share the story behind the Toolkit, which evolved from a 2018 Braille Monitor article to a comprehensive, step-by-step guide now available on the NFB’s website.
The Toolkit equips users with practical advice on reporting accessibility issues to companies, emphasizing professionalism and collaboration. Karl and Kennedy highlight the importance of clearly describing problems without needing technical jargon. For example, users can report that a screen reader reads "edit, edit, edit" instead of identifying form fields. They stress that most companies are open to accessibility improvements but often lack awareness, making user feedback essential.
The episode also explores the growing role of AI in accessibility, the persistent challenges with PDFs, and the importance of self-advocacy. Listeners are encouraged to use the Toolkit, share feedback through the NFB’s Inaccessibility Tracker, and engage with Karl and Kennedy for guidance. Whether you're part of the NFB or not, this episode is a valuable resource for making technology more inclusive.
Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/117
Learn More About the Accessibility Toolkit
Find the toolkit at https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-accessibility/self-advocacy-toolkit-and-tracking-form. Call Kennedy and Karl at (410) 659-9314, option 5. Have a look at the Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Accessibility at https://www.nfb.org/cena. Email them at [email protected] or individually, reach Kennedy at [email protected] and Karl at [email protected].
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