Thread by @birdundrstander

@ShellELittle has taken the stage to deliver a keynote/featured address: "It Takes a Village." She plans to talk about accessible product creation: making something & distributing it. What's involved? #MSUa11y #ALC19 #FAFMSU

@ShellELittle Little frames the idea of product creation and #a11y by describing user groups as a consideration in design.

It's a cool way for me to think about how different rhetorical phraseologies evoke similar themes -- types of abilities represent different user groups, etc.

@ShellELittle Little is talking about neurodivergence and reminds us all: "'Normal' is just a setting on a dryer!'"

Truth! Being neurotypical doesn't make you "normal."
Normal doesn't mean a thing.

@ShellELittle Little says that many challenges in product #a11y (including things that serve as barriers for her) come from

someone
else's
intentional
design
choice.

EVERY choice we make is a rhetorical stance. Who are we including/excluding in the programs we've created?

#FAFMSU #MSYa11y

@ShellELittle Something I'll be thinking about for content at @WCMSU -- @ShellELittle sharing that moving content/video content can be task-load breaking for folks with ADHD. What we've been trained (by non-#a11y-minded folks) is attention-grabby can actually ruin UX. #MSUa11y #FAFMSU

@ShellELittle @WCMSU Another helpful thought: Every time you change something to accommodate one person, you may be placing a barrier for another person. Little is using the example of microinteractions for this: for some, a MA is a helpful way to gauge contact. For others, distraction. #MSUa11y

@ShellELittle @WCMSU Little's #MSUa11y keynote summary:

1. Cognitive disabilities are NOT cut and dry (nor are #accommodations).

2. #Ability is a sliding scale. Needs can change.

3. Design is THE BIGGEST IMPACT to user w/ CogDis, in ways both + & -.

4. Usability = often just #a11y for Cognition.

(continued)

5. Code & design MUST work together for #a11y UX.

(And for the uninitiated: in a11y talk, UX is "user experience.")

6. Listen to Disabled users!

7. Hire Disabled People!

8. Do User Research.

9. Ask ADULTS with disabilities for input.