Fascinating talk - I'd really love to start a conversation about some of the content you discussed. At the moment, I'm trying to solidify my opinions about the web, for better or worse, and I've been thinking a lot about some of the topics you spoke of. I want to believe that accessibility is extremely important; that it is, as you quoted, 'The. Most. Important. Thing.' But, pardon my tone, is it more than just a speaking point for you? You dedicated such a small amount of time to accessibility in your lecture, and spent so much time talking about the benefits of modern browsers. But I wonder, to that blind individual who you mentioned, the one who is ignored by 'dickish' developers, of what importance is the modern browser? Am I missing something?
This is the sense that I have about frontend developers proselytizing about accessibility: it seems to me like a rhetoric; something that few of us actually have first-hand experience suffering through the consequences of neglecting to take into account. Now, I definitely don't know enough about you or your work to assume that you fall into this category, so please take no offense; this is less an accusation and more an honest entreaty for dialogue. Personally, I've never used a screen-reader; in fact, I doubt I've ever talked to anyone who uses a screen-reader. I have a theory that well-meaning if slightly misguided developers carry the banner of accessibility for reasons that perhaps relate quite little to accessibility: it is a framework, a set of rules, an architecture within which to work; nerds like systems and like being able to criticize those who foolishly ignore the etiquette. Perhaps this doesn't matter; accessibility is indeed important, so what do I care about the rationale that promotes it? I think what really bothers me is the lack of humility, and the feeling of being bullied. Almost any Stack Overflow search will yield snarky, self-righteous, impatient comments. OK, so this is a bit of a tangent, but I don't think it's unrelated to the accessibility thing. Anyway, if you're interested, I'd love for you to shed some light on this for me. I've only been working in this field for the past couple years, and I'm still trying to figure out my place in it. I am constantly inspired and awestruck by the bold and generous work that I see; I'm also regularly disappointed by a surprising pettiness that masquerades as something grander.
I'd love to have a frank discussion about this if you're willing. I really don't mean to be picking on you; you are obviously a very intelligent and thoughtful person and I'd love to hear your perspective about this issue. Thanks!
This is the sense that I have about frontend developers proselytizing about accessibility: it seems to me like a rhetoric; something that few of us actually have first-hand experience suffering through the consequences of neglecting to take into account. Now, I definitely don't know enough about you or your work to assume that you fall into this category, so please take no offense; this is less an accusation and more an honest entreaty for dialogue. Personally, I've never used a screen-reader; in fact, I doubt I've ever talked to anyone who uses a screen-reader. I have a theory that well-meaning if slightly misguided developers carry the banner of accessibility for reasons that perhaps relate quite little to accessibility: it is a framework, a set of rules, an architecture within which to work; nerds like systems and like being able to criticize those who foolishly ignore the etiquette. Perhaps this doesn't matter; accessibility is indeed important, so what do I care about the rationale that promotes it? I think what really bothers me is the lack of humility, and the feeling of being bullied. Almost any Stack Overflow search will yield snarky, self-righteous, impatient comments. OK, so this is a bit of a tangent, but I don't think it's unrelated to the accessibility thing. Anyway, if you're interested, I'd love for you to shed some light on this for me. I've only been working in this field for the past couple years, and I'm still trying to figure out my place in it. I am constantly inspired and awestruck by the bold and generous work that I see; I'm also regularly disappointed by a surprising pettiness that masquerades as something grander.
I'd love to have a frank discussion about this if you're willing. I really don't mean to be picking on you; you are obviously a very intelligent and thoughtful person and I'd love to hear your perspective about this issue. Thanks!