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Accessibility Challenge 2022: Nurture More Champions Part 1

Proven tips to expand your accessibility community

2/16/2022 10:25:28 AM

Hands extending from monitor applauding and giving thumbs up to a hand from another monitor hoisting champion's cup with label

By: Jennie Delisi, Office of Accessibility

This is the first of a two-part article.

Do you ever ask yourself: how can I get more people to learn about digital accessibility? How can I get more people to create accessible: 

  • Digital documents.
  • Websites.
  • Apps.
  • Software.

Accessibility champion groups can be both formal and informal. Modeling after successful accessibility champions programs may be the answer for you. Recently, we spoke to leaders of accessibility champion programs and accessibility task forces at state of Minnesota agencies. Their groups have been meeting between six months and seven years! They shared key tips for expanding your accessibility community. With so many great ideas, we’ve divided the article into two parts for January and February. 

Want to get a few interested colleagues together or start a more formal group? Their tips will help.

Thank you to the contributors of both parts of this article:

  • Tamara Sawyer, Accessibility Coordinator, Minnesota Management and Budget
  • JoAnn Rautio, CSM, DHS Certified Trusted Tester v5, Quality Assurance / Digital Accessibility Coordinator 
  • David Andrews, Chief Technology Officer, State Services for the Blind
  • Samantha Fischer ADS, CPACC, Accessibility Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development 
  • Kim Wee, CPWA, DHS Certified Trusted Tester v5, Webmaster and Digital Accessibility Coordinator, Minnesota IT Services Partnering with the Minnesota Department of Education
  • Allison Loomis, CPACC, State Program Administrative Tech Specialist, Minnesota Department of Education
  • Jackie Stiehl, CPACC (Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies), Minnesota Department of Education
  • Rebecca Oestreich, Electronic Information Accessibility Coordinator, Department of Natural Resources

Use Your “Why” to Inform Your Goal

Each person and organization has different reasons for wanting accessibility champions. For some it is their mission. Fischer shares that “The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) provides a number of services to persons with disabilities. Because of our programs, it’s vital we have accessible digital content for both staff and customers.”

Rules and regulations can also play a role. This may be important to include even when it is not the only reason. Wee shared how they included this “why” in their charter. “As state employees, we have an obligation to improve the accessibility and usability of all information technology products and services for all state of Minnesota government end-users. Some of us have an interest in accessibility because it’s a part of our job, others have an interest in discussing enhanced policies and procedures, and others have an interest in it all.”

There are many other potential “whys” for the group itself.  Be sure to also consider the “why” potential champions will want to join. Wee explains that, as an accessibility champion, you can: 

  • Learn new things and develop professionally and personally.
  • Improve communication by sharing new knowledge, skills and abilities with others. 
  • Increase productivity/efficiency and quality of work. 
  • Network with peers and meet new people.

Write a clear answer to “why” for yourself, potential champions, and your workplace. This will help you write better objectives and find potential champions.

Consider Your Experience

You may be just starting out or starting a new position. You may or may not be a digital accessibility coordinator. Or you may be newer to some areas of digital accessibility. Enthusiastic and ready to start? Oestreich says, “the sooner the better” is when to start. “Yes, it will add to your workload, but the rewards are enormous.” Loomis adds, “If you are new to accessibility, I encourage you to seek out other accessibility professionals, join groups and start networking. Accessibility professionals enjoy sharing their knowledge and excitement with others.”

The answer to “when” may also depend on you, and how well you feel able to answer the “why.” Sawyer advises, “I would give yourself some time to get settled in and understand the specific needs of your agency.” Fischer adds, “Accessibility is ever changing and updating. There are the core parts that remain the same. If someone knows those core parts and how to achieve them, I don’t see why they couldn’t start a champion program.

Some groups may need a strong leader who is a subject matter expert. For these, Rautio advises, “I recommend a couple of years of learning and getting to know the other accessibility leaders.”

Start with a Confident Step

When is a good time to start? Advice from our contributors varied. Considerations include: 

  • The size of the group you want to start.
  • The size of group you would like to build.
  • The type of culture where you work – what will work best.
  • Refer back to the goals you have for the group.

For more formal groups, Rautio shares that sometimes it may be best to wait. You may want to first “have a group that is committed to participating with knowledge and time.” Fischer adds, “it really helps when you have someone in Senior Leadership and/or management to not only support a champion program, but become a champion themselves.”

For less formal groups, or some workplaces, Wee advises the best time is, “As soon as possible. I wish we would have started this group sooner in our journey. The earlier on in the process that you have an opportunity to develop a positive mindset around accessibility, the better.”

No matter which type of group you have, some advice is the same. Oestreich shares, “You'll want have some planning done, but the champions can help with implementation.”

Identify Potential Champions

Qualities of potential champions are pretty broad. Several responses from our contributors included “everyone!” You may need more specifics for the group you are trying to start. Sawyer suggests finding coworkers “at your agency (with an) interest in providing better accessibility for our customers. I don’t feel prior knowledge or experience is necessary – they just need the desire to learn and help others.” Depending on the “why” you identified, you may have other qualities to add. For the group at DEED, Rautio adds people who are “committed to learning and mentoring.” For DEED’s group this is important. Their charter includes “accessibility champions will serve as the first point of reference for accessibility questions within their unit.”

Next you want to find these potential champions. Sawyer shares, she has recruited “others with interest in accessibility for specific events (Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Empathy labs, etc.). We don’t have an ‘accessibility champions group’ but I joined the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) group hoping to get others involved. Once I joined, they added the accessibility task force. I’m so excited to have others working with me to ensure an accessible and more equitable environment for both our employees and outside customers.”

Having the specific qualities identified will help you gather the right people. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources accessibility champions program has been running for seven years. Oestreich shares that when they started “our champions were voluntold. This worked out for some, but not for all. Don't force this work on someone who isn't interested.”

Part 2 Coming in February

Watch for Part of Accessibility Challenge 2022: Nurture More Champions in February. This section will cover creating objectives, organizing your effort, powering your program, and supporting learning. In the meantime, you may want to connect with other champions. 

Don’t Wait for Part 2! Chat With Other Accessibility Champions

Another great way to work on challenges is to talk about them with other people. While many of us cannot get together at conferences right now, there are still many ways to connect. People use #a11y on social media for conversations and postings about digital accessibility. This is one way to find others that have accessibility champion groups. Tell them your goals and ask about theirs. Together we can greatly increase the amount of digital accessibility know-how. Your goal is a great step!


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