Accessibility Issues Drive employee departure
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For some,inaccessible software can be a minor inconvenience. For others, it can be a career-altering obstacle. This was the case for Emeline Lakrout, who left her position at Unilever in March after five years, not for a promotion or change of pace, but due to the inaccessibility of essential marketing software. According to Lakrout, who is blind, much of the software was unusable with her screen reader.
Lakrout recounted instances where she had to request alternative tools when colleagues suggested using Trello,a project management platform by Atlassian Corp. Software from Anaplan, owned by Thoma Bravo, required her to strain her limited vision by sitting extremely close to a large monitor. Creating presentations was especially challenging, as her screen reader often misinterpreted slide content as images, rendering them out of order and arduous to understand.
“PowerPoint broke me,” she said with a laugh.
The Impact of Inaccessible Technology in the Workplace
The experiance of Emeline Lakrout highlights a critical issue: the importance of accessible technology in the workplace. When software and digital tools are not designed with accessibility in mind, it can create meaningful barriers for employees with disabilities, hindering their productivity and career advancement.
“PowerPoint broke me,” she said with a laugh.
Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Accessibility
- What is digital accessibility?
- Digital accessibility means that websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them. More specifically, people can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web.
- Why is digital accessibility important?
- It ensures that everyone, regardless of their abilities, has equal access to information and opportunities online. It also makes good business sense, as it expands your potential audience and reduces the risk of legal issues.
- What are the key principles of digital accessibility?
- The four main principles are Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). These principles are outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
- How can I make my website more accessible?
- Start by following the WCAG guidelines. Use semantic HTML, provide alternative text for images, ensure sufficient color contrast, and make your website keyboard-navigable.
