Building Empathy With Stakeholders to Drive Accessibility With Simon Miner ![rw-book-cover](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RY4VJmuyfY8/maxresdefault.jpg) Full Document Contents/Articles/Building Empathy With Stakeholders to Drive Accessibility With Simon Miner.md, Building Empathy With Stakeholders to Drive Accessibility With Simon Miner, Equalize Digital. > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: [WordPressAccessibility, DigitalAccessibility, EmpathyBuilding, WebDevelopment, Stakeholders] > Author: Simon Miner > Source: Simon Miner’s Talk on Accessibility > Reference: [Building Empathy with Stakeholders to Drive Accessibility](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8) > date created: 2024-09-13 10:00 > > # Title: Building Empathy with Stakeholders to Drive Accessibility > <!-- deep-read:sections start --> ## Table of Contents: - [Summary](#summary) - [Main Content](#main-content) - [Notes](#notes) - [References](#references) - [Paraphrase](#paraphrase) - [Newsletter](#newsletter) - [Action Items](#action-items) - [Hypotheses](#hypotheses) - [Methodology](#methodology) - [Questions](#questions) - [Future Research](#future-research) - [Implications](#implications) - [Learning Styles Assessment](#learning-styles-assessment) - [Accessibility Assessment](#accessibility-assessment) - [DEIB Assessment](#deib-assessment) - [Logical Validity](#logical-validity) - [SEO Evaluation](#seo-evaluation) - [Conclusion](#conclusion) ### References: - Simon Miner’s Talk on Accessibility at WordPress Meetup (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8) ## 📝 Summary: Simon Miner discusses empathy as a tool for driving digital accessibility, especially when working with stakeholders unfamiliar with accessibility. He shares strategies for helping organizations integrate accessibility efforts into ongoing processes, emphasizing that it’s not just a legal or technical issue but also a human and ethical responsibility. Miner encourages practitioners to use empathy-based tools and foster relationships that support sustainable accessibility. ## 📖 Main Content: ### 🗒️ Notes: - Empathy is essential to shifting perspectives on accessibility. - Use storytelling and personal experiences to help others understand the lived experience of disabled individuals. - Legal motivations often drive change faster than ethical or moral cases for accessibility. - Accessibility benefits all users, not just those with disabilities. - Practical empathy-building exercises, like keyboard-only navigation, help stakeholders understand accessibility challenges. ## 📖 References: 1. Building Empathy with Stakeholders to Drive Accessibility (YouTube) 2. Equalize Digital: WordPress Accessibility ## 🗣️ Paraphrase: 1. **Original**: "Disability and accessibility are about all of us... Eventually, you will need an accessible digital experience." **Paraphrased**: Accessibility isn't just for a select few; it's a universal need, and at some point, everyone will benefit from it. 2. **Original**: "Empathy is putting yourself in someone else's shoes and truly understanding their experience." **Paraphrased**: Empathy means mentally stepping into someone else's reality and gaining insight into their challenges. ## 📰 Newsletter: In our latest WordPress community highlight, we’re focusing on **accessibility**. Simon Miner, an advocate for web accessibility, shares invaluable insights on fostering empathy among stakeholders. He emphasizes that accessibility isn’t just a legal requirement but a tool to ensure inclusivity for all users. If you want to build websites that work for everyone, check out Simon’s talk on empathy in accessibility [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8). Stay tuned for plugin updates and ways to optimize your site’s accessibility. ## ✅ Action Items: As a Developer Advocate, incorporating **accessibility** aligns with your mission to engage and grow the open-source community. Educate stakeholders by using empathy-driven tools, advocate for accessibility integration, and foster an inclusive environment within WordPress. This article aligns with goals of onboarding contributors by showing empathy as a way to encourage engagement in open-source projects. ## 🧪 Hypotheses: 1. Stakeholders who undergo empathy-building exercises are more likely to prioritize accessibility. 2. Empathy-based training leads to better organizational buy-in for long-term accessibility goals. ### 📊 Methodology: To test these hypotheses, conduct surveys post-empathy exercises to gauge shifts in stakeholder perspectives. Track accessibility compliance over time, correlating it with empathy-building interventions. ### ❓ Questions: - How can organizations make accessibility an intrinsic part of their culture? - How can empathy be sustained as a long-term strategy for digital inclusivity? ### 🔮 Future Research: 1. Examine the impact of empathy-building on long-term accessibility outcomes. 2. Study cross-cultural differences in empathy-driven accessibility advocacy. ### 💡 Implications: If empathy-building proves effective, it can shift organizational priorities toward inclusive design, potentially creating more widespread adoption of accessibility practices. ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment: - **Visual Learners**: Screenshots of tools like **NoCoffee** or accessibility challenges could be added. - **Aural Learners**: Podcasts or audio summaries of the talk could benefit auditory learners. - **Verbal Learners**: Encourage participants to read and discuss the legal and ethical cases for accessibility. - **Physical Learners**: Hands-on exercises like keyboard-only challenges engage kinesthetic learners. - **Logical Learners**: Flowcharts showing the impact of accessibility compliance could strengthen logical reasoning. - **Social Learners**: Create discussion groups to foster collaboration on accessibility solutions. ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment: - **Screen Reader Compatibility**: Ensure semantic HTML and alt-text. - **Keyboard Navigation**: Practice what Simon demonstrated by making navigation fully keyboard-friendly. - **Text Resizing**: Responsive design for text adjustments. ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment: - **Inclusive Language**: Ensure all stakeholders feel represented, using gender-neutral terms. - **Cultural Relevance**: Integrate examples from various cultural perspectives. - **Neurodiversity Support**: Use clear, structured content to support different processing styles. ### ✅ Logical Validity: Simon’s talk presents sound reasoning based on real-world examples, especially the **business case** for accessibility. His approach to using empathy challenges like keyboard-only exercises builds a solid argument for accessibility as a human issue, not just a technical one. ### 🔍 SEO Evaluation: - **Keyword Integration**: "Web accessibility," "empathy," "stakeholders." - **Meta Description**: "Building empathy with stakeholders to drive accessibility." - **Title Optimization**: The title is concise and includes relevant keywords. - **Internal/External Links**: Add relevant links to external resources like **Equalize Digital** and **GoDaddy**. ## 🎯 Conclusion: Simon Miner’s insights on accessibility highlight the importance of empathy in driving organizational change. Through real-world examples and hands-on tools, he demonstrates how building empathy can lead to a more inclusive digital space for everyone. In "Building Empathy with Stakeholders to Drive Accessibility," Simon Miner highlights the critical role empathy plays in fostering accessibility within the WordPress community. By understanding the unique needs of individuals with disabilities, organizations can create more inclusive digital experiences. This talk not only promotes collaboration but also shares effective strategies for integrating accessibility into everyday practices. (This blurb will not be that good until you heavily personalize the prompt.) **Background:** My executives lack an understanding of the importance of accessibility and view the integration of accessibility tools negatively. As a developer advocate, I recognize the significance of addressing these needs. I am seeking a compelling and irrefutable argument for forming a partnership with Equalize Digital. --- ### Key Takeaways: 🌍 **Highlight the Business Case for Accessibility:** Emphasize that accessibility is not just a legal requirement but also a business opportunity. An inclusive digital experience can expand our customer base, enhance user satisfaction, and improve brand reputation. 📊 **Leverage Data and Metrics:** Present statistics and case studies demonstrating how accessibility tools can lead to improved user engagement and retention. Highlight the potential for increased revenue and market share by serving a broader audience, including individuals with disabilities. 🤝 **Foster Collaboration with Equalize Digital:** Advocate for a partnership with Equalize Digital to gain expertise in accessibility best practices. Their guidance can help our organization implement effective strategies and tools that align with our business goals while ensuring compliance and inclusivity. 1. How can empathy be effectively integrated into discussions about accessibility to foster a more inclusive digital environment for all users? 2. What specific strategies can be employed to educate stakeholders about the moral, ethical, and legal implications of accessibility? 3. In what ways can personal experiences and stories related to disability enhance the understanding and advocacy for accessibility within organizations? Short Summary for [Building Empathy with Stakeholders to Drive Accessibility with Simon Miner](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8) by [Merlin](https://merlin.foyer.work/) "Building Empathy with Stakeholders for Accessibility" [00:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=2) Building empathy with stakeholders for driving accessibility [02:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=152) Opportunities for sponsorship and participation in the Meetup [07:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=429) Empathy and accessibility go hand in hand [09:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=563) Empathy is essential in accessibility advocacy. [14:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=895) Accessibility is important for user experience, business, and legal reasons. [17:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=1055) Vendor used fearmongering to sell accessibility product [22:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=1342) Empathy drives accessibility through innovative inventions for disabilities. [24:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=1483) Discovering the power of music theory transformed the way I understood and played music. [29:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=1744) Building empathy with stakeholders for website accessibility [31:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=1878) Enhancing empathy through interactive activity [37:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=2226) Using different tools to build empathy for accessibility challenges [39:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=2367) Empathy building with accessibility simulations [44:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=2655) Understanding accessibility features for user navigation [46:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=2804) Expanding people's definition of disabilities [51:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=3115) Challenges in maintaining focus due to daily distractions [54:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=3256) Aligning with organizational culture for effective accessibility implementation [58:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=3531) Encouraging empathy and stakeholder involvement in accessibility. [1:01:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=3674) Building a network of accessibility champions across different departments can drive empathy and contribute to accessibility. [1:05:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=3955) Empower stakeholders by inviting ownership and participation in decision-making. [1:08:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=4092) Take small actions towards accessibility to drive progress [1:12:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=4340) Including people with disabilities in empathy activities is important for effective understanding. [1:14:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=4468) Challenges in creating empathy lab experiences for accessibility [1:18:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=4713) Compensate people with disabilities for their time and input. [1:20:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=4846) Understanding stakeholder empathy in driving accessibility --------------------------------- Detailed Summary for [Building Empathy with Stakeholders to Drive Accessibility with Simon Miner](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8) by [Merlin](https://merlin.foyer.work/) "Building Empathy with Stakeholders for Accessibility" [00:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=2) Building empathy with stakeholders for driving accessibility - Join the Facebook group for connectivity and support within the community - Stay updated on events, recordings, and resources through the website and email list [02:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=152) Opportunities for sponsorship and participation in the Meetup - We welcome sponsors for the Meetup, contact us via email for sponsorship inquiries - Opportunities to speak or suggest topics for the Meetup are open, we are happy to accommodate [07:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=429) Empathy and accessibility go hand in hand - Simon Miner has over 10 years of experience in training on web accessibility for corporations, colleges, and community organizations. - Simon emphasizes the importance of empathy in adopting accessibility in organizations and with clients. [09:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=563) Empathy is essential in accessibility advocacy. - The speaker discusses their role as a website architect and founder of Pedal Point Solutions, providing insight and expertise on accessibility strategies. - The agenda includes discussions on Eureka experiences, injecting accessibility into organizational processes, and practical empathetic strategies. [14:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=895) Accessibility is important for user experience, business, and legal reasons. - Accessible digital experiences benefit everyone and are backed by data. - Accessibility is important for business growth, brand reputation, and compliance with laws. [17:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=1055) Vendor used fearmongering to sell accessibility product - Vendor claimed legal problems due to accessibility issue on website - Sender confronted vendor and discussed the ethical and moral aspects of accessibility [22:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=1342) Empathy drives accessibility through innovative inventions for disabilities. - Empathy is inherent in the adoption of assistive technologies and design features by individuals regardless of ability levels. - Legislation like the ADA promotes accessibility, but true empathy is essential for valiant accessibility efforts. [24:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=1483) Discovering the power of music theory transformed the way I understood and played music. - Struggled with sight-reading due to blindness but learned to play by ear and through mechanisms. - Music theory class in college was an enlightening experience, enabling me to articulate the language of music and understand chord progressions and harmonies. [29:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=1744) Building empathy with stakeholders for website accessibility - Discussing the principles of website accessibility with a realtor client, and demonstrating the use of a mobile screen reader to build empathy. - Exploring tools to build empathy for disabilities, including the importance of keyboard navigation and highlighting an accessibility challenge called 'put your mouse down'. [31:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=1878) Enhancing empathy through interactive activity - Engaging stakeholders in a keyboard-based email activity to promote empathy and accessibility. - Encouraging participants to explore keyboard shortcuts and utilize technology effectively. [37:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=2226) Using different tools to build empathy for accessibility challenges - Screen readers can help simulate challenges faced by visually impaired users - Trying to navigate with just a keyboard can also provide insight into accessibility issues [39:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=2367) Empathy building with accessibility simulations - Extensions like Color blindness and Dyslexia simulators help in understanding user experiences with disabilities - Engaging with usability groups and labs provides firsthand insights into the challenges faced by users with disabilities [44:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=2655) Understanding accessibility features for user navigation - Interactive controls like tab, arrow keys, and peak button assist in navigating digital platforms - Utilize keyboard commands for efficient navigation through elements using screen readers [46:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=2804) Expanding people's definition of disabilities - Building empathy by highlighting different types of disability, including temporary disabilities and situational disabilities. - The importance of accessible digital experiences for temporary and situational disabilities. [51:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=3115) Challenges in maintaining focus due to daily distractions - Frustration, fatigue, stress, hunger, multitasking, and other common challenges affecting focus - Approaches to integrating accessibility considerations in client discussions, such as emphasizing mobile usability for better understanding [54:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=3256) Aligning with organizational culture for effective accessibility implementation - Advocating for accessibility by aligning with existing organizational culture can be more effective than pushing for immediate change. - Understanding an organization's values and mission statement can open conversations about accessibility and help in positioning strategies. [58:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=3531) Encouraging empathy and stakeholder involvement in accessibility. - Asking questions instead of making recommendations can lead people to think deeper about accessibility and their stake in it. - Using 'and' instead of 'but' can validate both ideas and encourage the ability to hold opposing perspectives in attention. [1:01:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=3674) Building a network of accessibility champions across different departments can drive empathy and contribute to accessibility. - Empathizing with stakeholders' diverse needs and concerns leads to more inclusive and effective solutions. - Engaging with individuals with personal connections to accessibility challenges can provide valuable insights and support in driving accessibility initiatives. [1:05:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=3955) Empower stakeholders by inviting ownership and participation in decision-making. - Encourage making small incremental steps in accessibility to make a huge difference over time. - When working with people new to accessibility, focus on doing one thing to avoid feeling overwhelmed. [1:08:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=4092) Take small actions towards accessibility to drive progress - Even one small action aligned with your work can fuel momentum for accessibility efforts. - Progress and accessibility require persistence, patience, and commitment, rather than quick fixes. [1:12:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=4340) Including people with disabilities in empathy activities is important for effective understanding. - Involving people with lived disabilities in conversations and activities can provide a more effective understanding of their experiences. - Simply using a keyboard or other activities may not fully impart the experience of living with a disability. [1:14:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=4468) Challenges in creating empathy lab experiences for accessibility - Exploring the idea of using the inclusive Bill challenge for empathy building - The importance of word choice when discussing disabilities and empathy [1:18:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=4713) Compensate people with disabilities for their time and input. - Many people with disabilities are asked to test things for free, which can be unfair. - Spread awareness and find champions within the company to prioritize accessibility even with limited budgets. [1:20:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4VJmuyfY8&t=4846) Understanding stakeholder empathy in driving accessibility - Key performance indicators play a crucial role in connecting accessibility to stakeholder objectives. - Addressing accessibility issues early can significantly reduce costs compared to post-launch fixes. <!-- deep-read:sections end --> ## Highlights - in the context of accessibility advocacy, and then we're going to switch and talk about Eureka experiences and what those are and how they can help with empathy. Then we'll spend a little bit of time talking about how to inject accessibility into what's already happening in an organization. Then we'll wrap up with some empathetic strategies that I found useful in my travels. Just so we're honest here, this is not something that I've done ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j4eshzb56pn4zwceqxbefnmj)) - and reduce the risk of litigation. Honestly, in thinking about these, I began my very hopeful and a little bit naive journey on the far left of this spectrum, thinking that accessibility is the right thing to do. Most people want to help, and it's just an awareness thing. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j4eshzgxttkbz69n4z98bggq)) - All four of these approaches to accessibility advocacy are valid and have their place. In fact, we can inject empathy into each of these approaches, because at the end of the day, somebody you know or somebody you love or eventually you yourself will need an accessible digital experience. We are all in the process of growing older, and with that just comes wisdom and perspective and glitches ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j4eshzm7rtcv962xgzy7a5k5)) - That's a really good way, when you're talking with a client, to broach the subject of accessibility and how it applies to all of us. Thank you for your participation in that activity. All right. I wanted to-- I'll speed up here, because we're running a little short on time, talk about how to inject accessibility into stuff ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j4eshzzh0cr5nkd4q2mygd65)) - you endorse their needs and their concerns without invalidating or throwing out your own, and it just makes way possible conversations for all the ideas. Thank you for that typo call out. I will look at that. [chuckles] Now, one thing I found that's really useful is if you're able to build a network of accessibility champions. These are people who are already empathetic towards accessibility, ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j4esj0pd9z0pwt811zztdcb4)) - All these departments can have key contributions to make to accessibility. There was one woman that I met in our customer service department. Anytime someone had an issue related to not being able to see or understand how our website works, she would get that call. The reason was that she was a screen reader ninja. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j4esj170ra18ey1pqae347zz)) - A lot of the folks who were having trouble navigating our site were using screen readers. I reached out to her and it turned out that she knew this stuff backward and forward because her brother was blind. We began chatting and I encouraged my teammates, and did this myself, to send-- Anytime we were pushing out a web accessibility feature or fix to our production website, we would ask her to test it first with a screen reader, because she knew how to do it hands down, ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j4esj1nzyaefhr068segkww6)) - how to advocate, educate, and integrate accessibility into projects and whatnot, because it's easy to feel alone when you're doing accessibility. It's a lot of work, and sometimes it can seem like it's thankless. With that, I just want to wrap up with a few strategies for keeping empathy at the forefront when you are discussing and advocating for accessibility. If you attended Axe-Con 2024, there was a guy named Jonah Berger ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j4esj2jafsy2bwyrksna85an)) - chances are some other people or circumstances have already been nurturing that effort for some time. What I find is to remember how long it took me to become an advocate for accessibility. It wasn't overnight. I'm legally blind for, I don't know, 10 years of my web development journey. I really didn't give it any thought because I could see well enough. I could get around with the mouse, and it showed me that-- ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j4esj3ks8j75kkngrpd6cre4)) - in a way that will be helpful for others to implement accessibility and stuff. It's a give and take, but I definitely hear what you're saying. I've actually gotten comments about that with Sight Unseen, and I did change some of my language about it as a result. That's what I've seen, but I would encourage you to keep exploring that because despite the-- There are naysayers, but I mean, as someone with a disability, I'm going ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j4esj4y606kpna13d8rxvr45))