Kuba Zwolinski | Snowdog | Accessibility is a process. Make it an easy part of your team's routine.

Summary

At MMUK 2024, Maiik introduces the first speaker, Kuas Volinski, who discusses web accessibility's importance in business, emphasizing its impact on e-commerce, the need for a legal framework, and the potential for accessibility to benefit all users. He advocates for building an accessibility culture within organizations to avoid costly audits and make accessibility a standard part of development processes.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The importance of accessibility in web development is highlighted, emphasizing its impact on inclusivity and business success.
• 💼 Accessibility is not just a moral imperative but also a business necessity, with legal regulations driving its necessity in e-commerce.
• 💡 The speaker's initial optimism about building accessible web solutions has evolved, recognizing the challenges and complexities involved.
• 💰 The cost of accessibility is discussed, noting that while it was once seen as expensive, it can be integrated effectively into business processes to avoid costly audits.
• 🛠️ Building an 'accessibility culture' within organizations is crucial, ensuring that all aspects of development, from content creation to maintenance, consider accessibility.
• 🔍 The speaker advocates for education and awareness about accessibility within teams, noting that it's not just a front-end developer's responsibility but a collective effort.
• 👥 Decision makers are urged to understand the business case for accessibility, recognizing its role in expanding the customer base and improving user experience.
• 👴 Aging populations and the increasing number of older online buyers are highlighted as a significant factor that underscores the need for accessible web solutions.
• 🛑 The speaker warns against the common misconception that accessibility is a one-off task, stressing that it is an ongoing process that must be integrated into regular development cycles.
• 🛍️ The potential for accessibility to benefit all users, not just those with disabilities, is emphasized, showing how it can improve usability for everyone.
• 🌐 The speaker encourages collaboration and contribution to open-source tools and initiatives, suggesting that a collective approach can make accessibility more attainable and less costly.

Q & A

Who is the host of the technical track at MMUK 2024?

The host of the technical track at MMUK 2024 is Maiik, the head of development at JH.

What is the role of the first speaker, Kuas Volinski, in the web industry?

Kuas Volinski is a web standards and accessibility enthusiast, a former developer working with Magento since 2008, a several-time Magento Master, Market maker, organizer of Meet Magento Poland, and a former board member of the Magento Association.

Why is accessibility important in the context of e-commerce?

Accessibility is important in e-commerce because it not only complies with legal regulations and avoids financial penalties but also because it opens up the market to a large group of potential customers with disabilities, making the web more inclusive and usable for everyone.

What are some of the legal implications for e-commerce sites that are not accessible?

Non-accessible e-commerce sites risk facing financial fines due to regulations such as the American with Disabilities Act in the US, and similar laws in the UK and the upcoming laws in the European Union.

How has the internet changed the lives of people with disabilities?

The internet has opened doors to a normal life for people with disabilities, allowing them to participate in activities that were previously inaccessible to them, such as earning money and being regular customers.

What is the common misconception about the cost of accessibility in web development?

The common misconception is that accessibility is expensive, often due to the costs associated with audits and rebuilding existing solutions. However, integrating accessibility from the start can make it a cost-effective part of the development process.

What is the key to making accessibility a common practice in web development?

The key is to build an accessibility culture within every organization, ensuring that everyone understands the principles of accessibility and incorporates them into their everyday work, from content creation to maintenance.

Why is it important for developers to care about accessibility guidelines?

Developers should care about accessibility guidelines because if they don't, even the best designs and user journeys will not result in an accessible solution, which can lead to the exclusion of users with disabilities and potential legal issues.

What role do decision makers play in promoting accessibility within an organization?

Decision makers play a crucial role in promoting accessibility by understanding its importance, allocating budget for training and development, and supporting the integration of accessibility into the organization's processes.

What are some tools that can assist in making web development more accessible?

There are various tools available, including plugins for design software like Figma, machine learning solutions for code analysis, and open-source libraries that can help developers and QA specialists ensure accessibility during the development process.

How does Kuas Volinski suggest contributing to the field of accessibility?

Kuas Volinski suggests contributing by discussing accessibility within organizations, integrating it into everyday processes, and considering open-source contributions to improve and share accessibility tools and knowledge.