update: they have fixed a few of the issues I pointed out on the site, hopefully with a bit more too and fro we can get the site to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) AA rating as a minimum. All credit to them they have responded quickly and positively!
orignal: A great campaign idea and launched in tandem with the 2020 Paralympics, "We The 15" is a campaign I could get behind. And while the video is great, the website is a mess!
What is the campaign?
WeThe15 is a global movement, which was founded by a coalition of organisations from sport, human rights, policy, communications, business, arts and entertainment, uniting to change attitudes and create more opportunities for persons with disabilities, as well as improve mobility and accessibility.
Source: https://www.wethe15.org/the-campaign
In essence it is a campaign designed to start the conversation around accessibility, disability and inclusion and then drive that conversation into action!
A 10 year long campaign to remove barriers that people with disabilities face every day.
Why am I excited by this?
Well you probably know I love accessibility.
But more importantly their promotion video is, without doubt, the single best video (advert) on disability I have seen and I hope it will resonate with people.
It puts the point across that I believe deeply in.
People with disabilities do not want sympathy, they are not "special" or "inspiring".
They are people, with lives, jobs, desires and wishes.
All people with disabilities want is:
✅ A conversation to happen around accessibility and inclusion..
✅ That leads to consideration when designing products and services or policies...
✅ That leads to a more accessible and inclusive world.
They basically want you to stop being so absent minded and think about disability and accessibility so they can get on with life without having to face the barriers your shoddy code creates.
The video!
Absolute perfection if you ask me!
Although the website leaves a lot to be desired....
update, I am in contact with someone there and they are fixing the issues with a little guidance from a wonderful accessibility expert 😉. Let’s hope I get a shoutout at least!
original
I am disappointed that the website makes a load of accessibility mistakes though!
I am not going to list them all but for a 7 page website there are a lot of issues:
- They use userway overlay - overlays are not accessible
- You can't access the drop down menu with the keyboard so 70% of the site is not accessible to keyboard users.
- There are colour contrast issues.
- Their subscribe form doesn't have visible, permanent labels!
- They have missed a couple of alt attributes...yes really!
- Their social media links to not have any text that a screen reader can access.
- They start at heading level 2 on the home page, heading level 3 on others!
- Some of the buttons do not have visible focus indicators.
These are accessibility basics.
So could you do me a favour?
Can you tweet this article to @wethe15 and see if we can get their attention so I can help them fix this problem before the campaign gets momentum!
More information
And of course, you can always brush up on your accessibility skills with my mega reference piece:
Top comments (11)
Hello InHuOfficial,
thanks for your article.
Your determination to help with your professional skills is heartwarming!
I am glad that you were able to reach them as I read in one of your comments here.
Thanks!
Not only have I reached them but they have half fixed the focus indicators, the contact form is much better and the menu is now pretty usable with a keyboard!
The problem is that me being a bully worked...so now I will have to unlearn that behaviour 😋🤣
Done
Thanks Shawn, followed on the bird app!
Followed back. Tweet tweet.
Seriously, batter the Twitter account for @WeThe15 (or any other method you can!), they cannot launch a campaign about accessibility and inclusion with that crappy site...I really don't care if I get the work, I just want them to succeed in their campaign and they should be setting the example!
Guys please "@" WeThe15 on twitter 🙏, we need to get their attention!
Also if you can email them:
hello@wethe15.org
Ah where did you spot that! I missed it!
on their website
wethe15.org/contact-us
I am actually in touch with them and helping them fix stuff thanks to you finding the email address (it was easy to spot once I knew it was there 😋).
Who knows I might get some actual work out of it (or perhaps a shout out at least) but thanks either way!