My mom will be turning 80 this month. My aunt and I are cookin’ up some great plans to make her birthday as special as she is. I’ve arranged to have a hot air balloon ride on the morning of her birthday. And my awesome aunt is flying in from California to help us celebrate… Continue reading Mom’s 80th Birthday Cake
Design with Accessibility in Mind
I’m often asked to create the business case for building accessibility in to your web process. Most organizations are very responsive when I explain the benefits of universal design, the crossover between accessibility and usability, as well as accessibility and mobile design. By the time I explain the search engine optimization benefits, they are often salivating and ready to commit to accessibility. But, what happens when I’m working with a company that is inaccessible but already has decent SEO? I remind them that the litigation risks are real and the cost of retrofitting for accessibility is significantly higher than designing with accessibility in mind from the beginning. The thoughts I want etched into their minds are:
Dreams Come True at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
I have always wanted to go to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. In fact, it has been on my list at 43things.com for over 5 years. Then, my dear friend and colleague, Sharron Rush, asked me to speak at the Southwest Conference on Disabilities (which just happens to occur in Albuquerque during the International Balloon Fiesta). I could hardly contain my excitement, as I planned my trip.
Sight Sound Soul – Accessible Performing Arts that will Knock Your Socks Off!
Can you imagine a live music performance that is fully accessible…even if you cannot hear or see? Well, you don’t have to imagine, you can experience it by coming to Sight Sound Soul in Albuquerque for the Southwest Conference on Disability. The Sight Sound Soul event will center on performances by the New Orleans jazz… Continue reading Sight Sound Soul – Accessible Performing Arts that will Knock Your Socks Off!
Plain and Simple
A lifetime ago, or so it seems, I read a book that became a part of my heart. The book is “Plain and Simple” by Sue Bender. It is about the journey Sue took to live with the Amish and what she learned. For me, “Plain and Simple” was a breath of fresh air. I… Continue reading Plain and Simple
Equal Opportunity for Learning: Accessibility and Education
Today I read very powerful words about the right for everyone to have equal access to education from the U.S. Office of Civil Rights. If you are in edu, do all your students, regardless of disabilities, have equal access to course content? See what the Office of Civil Rights has to say: All school operations… Continue reading Equal Opportunity for Learning: Accessibility and Education
When Should You Invite tabindex to the Accessibility Party?
I am a minimalist. I believe that simple solutions are better. So, when it comes to tabindex, I rarely invite “him” to the accessibility party. Why? Because if you will just write the source code in the same order you need the items for the visual presentation, then tabindex is not necessary. But there are… Continue reading When Should You Invite tabindex to the Accessibility Party?
Vodka Gummy Bears
I recently went to see my dear friends, Rhonda & Lindsey, play in a softball tournament with the Son’s of Pitches. It was seriously the most entertaining softball tournament I’ve ever been to in my life. While I was there, I got to try Vodka Gummy Bears for the very first time. It will probably… Continue reading Vodka Gummy Bears