At the very beginning of my career, heck as I was studying to start it, in web design and development I took a course on the laws surrounding web design. It was a short course and really only covered how Section 508 applies to building software for the government and their contractors. But during that course something happened. I took what it had to say to heart and tried to incorporate it in all my work as best as possible.
With Great Transitions
Websites that have lots of movement have always bugged me a bit, but lately they are bugging me a lot more. I don’t know if this is because something in me is different or because or because I have become sympathetic to those that have disorders where motion affects them (Like Marissa).
Goodbye Steve
I grew up on Apple computers. They encouraged me to drawn, animate, write prose and code. they were easy to use and were the thing that I always came back to. Now, I use the beautiful tools he has designed (well lead the design of) every day. He has given me a career that makes life for my family comfortable.
Vestibular Disorders and the Internet
5by5.tv hosts Jeffrey Zeldman’s “The Big Web Show”. Episode #55 from September 1st had on budding web designer Marissa Christina of abledis.com to talk about living with and trying to become a web designer with a vestibular disorder. The program went back on forth on what it is like, becoming a designer and what we as a community can do to make this hidden disability easier to live with while on the internet. I have extracted a few of the important things on building a better web for this group.
Mike: an Interview
I needed new tires on my car. Instead of waiting inside the stale waiting room of the auto repair shop with the greasy chairs and burnt coffee, I decided to head across the lot to the mall for some food, tea, and free wifi to get some work done. While eating my lunch, I noticed a gentleman with severe motor control issues using an eReader to enjoy a book. Being a developer focused on user experience and accessibility, I thought this was a prime opportunity to conduct a short user interview. Looking back, this was pretty selfish of me. The next 10 minutes were an awakening for me.
I Love Retro Cameras
I have a collection of 18 cameras (for now) ranging in manufacture date from 1936 through the 2010. I have twin lens reflex, medium format, Polaroid, range finders, folding, 35mm and digital cameras. I can’t get enough. And I still shoot film. The problem is the scanning and post processing of the film.
Every Good Cook Needs a Few Good Tools
To do good cooking you need the right tools. The tools don’t need to be expensive, but they have to work. They need to be an extension of yourself, comfortable and reliable. They should also make your job cooking easier to maximize your time with family.Here is my list of tools that I use to make my dishes, and a good place for you to start.
Do’s and Don’ts for Web Accessibility
While at this time the federal government has not made it mandatory or criminal if you do not, the larger your company is the more likely it could face a civil trial. Target Corporation has been through a suit filed by the American Council of the Blind in which the ACB won $6 million dollars and forced Target to accommodate the blind and visually impaired on their website. The ACB isn’t suing everyone, but they are pushing to make Section 508 a civil rights law rather than a government regulation.