Assisting web developers

[Kerwin]

I'm building a website and while I was doing it I came up with an idea that might be something I could freelance in and assist other web developers.

The idea is simple. Provide consulting services for web developers teaching them how to make websites usable by people with disabilities. As someone who is disabled myself this is a topic that I find really important and unfortunately, most web devs don't spend as much time making their websites usable by people with physical and mental disabilities as they should.

What do you think? Is this something that could work?

 

[Fagin2021]

Immediate thought is that there are lots of people already providing this service and lots of free resources for developers who want to learn about it. What could you offer that's different ?

 

[Kerwin]

Immediate thought is that there are lots of people already providing this service and lots of free resources for developers who want to learn about it. What could you offer that's different ?

I guess the main thing I could offer is access to people with real disabilities to give feedback to the web developer(s). You can learn how to do accessibility but having someone able to test it out for you I would have thought would be quite useful.

 

[Fagin2021]

I guess the main thing I could offer is access to people with real disabilities to give feedback to the web developer(s). You can learn how to do accessibility but having someone able to test it out for you I would have thought would be quite useful.

Mmmm..... From memory, there are numerous bodies representing disabled people who have developed a set of standards against which websites can be judged. Even Google has an accessibility checker - as have other commercial companies.

That surely, is better than having one or two individuals check it out ?

Sorry, but I don't think your idea is going to fly.

 

[Kerwin]

Mmmm..... From memory, there are numerous bodies representing disabled people who have developed a set of standards against which websites can be judged. Even Google has an accessibility checker - as have other commercial companies.

That surely, is better than having one or two individuals check it out ?

Sorry, but I don't think your idea is going to fly.

Fair enough. It was just a quick idea I had while doing some work this morning. Thank you for the useful feedback!

 

[Shopclicks]

I think you'll come across a fair amount of apathy until it becomes compulsory.

I have installed the ReciteMe plugin on council websites as they are obligated. It really is very clever and easy to use.

Google's Page Speed Insights has a score for accessibility which includes text/background contrast and checks for links that don't look like links amongst other things.

 

[fisicx]

@Kerwin whilst I applaud your idea (which I think is great) accessibility is a huge and complex area which very few manage to fully encompass.

More and more people use site builders for their websites and accessibility guidance is already widely available. for example:

Accessibility is more than a technical problem

Debunking these 3 myths will help you rethink your accessibility work

ux.shopify.com

If a site owner wants to find out how to make their site accessibly there is lots of existing material.

The problem seems to be a lack of awareness or a reluctance to do anything about it. That's maybe a better place to begin: raising awareness.

 

[Kerwin]

@Kerwin whilst I applaud your idea (which I think is great) accessibility is a huge and complex area which very few manage to fully encompass.

More and more people use site builders for their websites and accessibility guidance is already widely available. for example:

Accessibility is more than a technical problem

Debunking these 3 myths will help you rethink your accessibility work

ux.shopify.com

If a site owner wants to find out how to make their site accessibly there is lots of existing material.

The problem seems to be a lack of awareness or a reluctance to do anything about it. That's maybe a better place to begin: raising awareness.

That is a good point. Thank you.

I'm building my own platform for various reasons and will be integrating accessibility features as I go. Perhaps it would be worthwhile blogging about it at the same time to bring it to people's attention more?

 

[Socio South West]

I can see this being a useful service to a lot of developers, but something I don't think you will achieve by launching as a consultant.

My thoughts would be to channel your blog to get awareness of the inclusive aspect of website development, and blog about the includability (is that a word?) of various sites, good and bad.

Maybe devise your own scoring system to apply to sites that you blog about?

If your blog can get traction it is likely that developers will start sending in sites for review, and with the usual blog monetisation routes you could build something which ultimately could build into a consultancy round - but that is going to be a little way down the road.

 

[Kerwin]

I can see this being a useful service to a lot of developers, but something I don't think you will achieve by launching as a consultant.

My thoughts would be to channel your blog to get awareness of the inclusive aspect of website development, and blog about the includability (is that a word?) of various sites, good and bad.

Maybe devise your own scoring system to apply to sites that you blog about?

If your blog can get traction it is likely that developers will start sending in sites for review, and with the usual blog monetisation routes you could build something which ultimately could build into a consultancy round - but that is going to be a little way down the road.

Thank you! That is a really useful message. I'll be sure to think about it.

 

[phil192]

I think you should give this a go. Set up a profile on Upwork as a freelancer offering this service, you never know, someone may search for this exact service and you'll be listed. It'll take half an hour to set this up, so you might as well give it a try.

Good luck!

 

[SportsTrophyUK]

You could show your knowledge and experience with a top five points that get missed by web devs. I'm sure there are hundreds more but not to give the game away.

 

[whv]

You could offer white label dev service for agencies. Accessibility is huge and not a lot of web devs do it well. Might I suggest looking up Kevin Geary on YouTube as a starter.

 

[Kerwin]

You could offer white label dev service for agencies. Accessibility is huge and not a lot of web devs do it well. Might I suggest looking up Kevin Geary on YouTube as a starter.

Thank you. I'll have a look.

 

[Bryan Waddington]

It's one thing to test for accessibility yourself but to observe someone navigate your new design with a screen reader, for example, you realise it is more than just passing a few automated accessibility tests. So, I think there is something in your idea even though it is already being done.

On the other hand, accessibility should not be an afterthought, it should be part of the website design and build, so there is an education aspect here.