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Organizations can become confused on the best way to select a credible and competent ICT Accessibility vendor or consultant.  They also get confused on the best way to frame disability inclusion in their organizations.  Anyone can say they are an “expert” in Disability Inclusion, ICT Accessibility, WCAG 2.0 or Section 508 compliance, but what does that really mean?

Organizations complain that the laws and standards can be confusing and difficult to blend into their enterprise-wide policies, manage the processes and measure results. This is why they seek out experts in the field to help them navigate these issues and successfully implement ICT Accessibility throughout the enterprise.

We have also witnessed a rise in litigation in the United States because of inaccessible websites.  There as been several blogs on the topic including a recent blog The Next Class Action Threat: Web Accessibility by Stephanie Forshee, Corporate Counsel. [1]

Organizations are trying to blend accessibility into their websites, intranets, services and products.  They have spent money, brought in vendors, consultants, and even created teams to help them comply legislation and become accessible.  Some organizations despite efforts are still getting in trouble over disability inclusion issues, inaccessible websites, services and products.  For disability inclusion and accessibility to be a success it must be built into the processes of an organization and become part of the culture.   

I also worry about the unprofessional way some of the industry “professionals” speak to each other.  The negative comments made on IAAP community, the nasty comments made against companies on social media, the curse words used in our industry presentations.  These can send the wrong message about our industry.  I sat in a CSUN presentation where the presenter used the F word many times.  A woman sitting next to me was from another country and she was shocked and embarrassed.  I know it can be cool and hip to use these words but it can also send the wrong message.

Corporations tell me that they lurk on social media, webinars, training sessions, conferences and ICT accessibility events because they are afraid to say the wrong thing, ask the wrong question or accidentally use the wrong language.  The problem with these situations is that it can hurt our industry.  It has been hard to watch accessibility consultants and companies get savagely attacked on social media on Linked-In, Twitter, Facebook and in blogs.  I am not arguing the merits of the claims but worry that we are sending the wrong message when we air our dirty laundry in such a public way.  Many of the companies in this space are small, passionate companies that really want to see persons with disabilities fully included.

We need to mentor professionals entering the industry and conversations.  We need universities to create to teach ICT Accessibility in all of their courses.  We also need to allow people to make mistakes, learn from each other and be more supportive in online and professional situations.

Bottom line, this is about each of us doing our part to grow our industry, support our profession, mentor each other and welcome new comers to our industry.  Competitors need to be friendly competitors instead of attacking and bullying each other.  These behaviors terrify corporations and organizations.  We need a strong driving force to get accessibility skills recognized and give professionals and consultants more opportunity to grow and expand in this field.  Hopefully, IAAP can be at the heart of these efforts.

I am proud to be an accessibility professional and disability inclusion strategist. 

Join Neil Milliken, Antonio Santos and me on our weekly Twitter Chat. Just search the hashtag #AXSChat at 3pmEST and join the conversation. We chat about disability inclusion, empowerment, and accessibility.  You can learn more about AXSChat at www.AXSChat.com.

Stay tuned for my new book Uncovering Hidden Human Capital: How Leading Corporations Leverage Multiple Abilities in Their Workforce.  Will be published in early 2016 by G3ict

Debra Ruh is the CEO and Founder of Ruh Global Communications.  www.RuhGlobal.com and is active on social media @debraruh