MS is BS

This image says it all: “Accessibility is more than a ramp.” It’s such a simple statement, yet it’s one that needs repeating because society still tends to think of accessibility as just physical access—a ramp, a lift, a wide door.

But accessibility is complex. It’s nuanced. And it’s deeply personal.

Think about noise levels—often unbearable for neurodivergent individuals.

Accessibility also means considering color combinations that don’t exclude people who are colorblind or font choices that don’t overwhelm people with dyslexia. It’s about image descriptions and alt text, so a person who is blind can know what’s happening on a webpage through a screen reader.

Imagine what accessibility really looks like in a world that thinks inclusively:

⏰ Flexible time constraints – Not everyone runs on a 9-to-5 schedule. For those with chronic fatigue, mental health struggles, or disabilities that impact energy levels, flexible time means they can contribute without burning out.

💡 Lighting levels – Bright, harsh lights can be debilitating for many, from people with sensory processing issues to those who suffer migraines.

👐 Sign interpreters – Sign language interpreters ensure that the Deaf and hard of hearing can fully engage in events, discussions, and learning, without struggling to read lips or rely on inadequate audio.

🎵 Noise levels – Loud, unpredictable noises can be overwhelming, especially for neurodivergent individuals. Design quiet spaces or consider ambient noise in public spaces

⠶ Braille – Access to written information for those who are blind is crucial. Adding braille to signs, menus, and materials shows that blind people are considered part of the audience.

🖼️ Image descriptions and alt text – Alt text and image descriptions turn visuals into words, enabling people who use screen readers to engage with the full content of a webpage or document.

🔡 Font choices – Fonts that are too decorative or compact can be unreadable for people with dyslexia or vision impairments.

➰ Hearing loops – In public places like theaters and airports, hearing loops allow people with hearing aids to directly access audio, bypassing background noise.

🌈 Color combinations – Accessibility in design means everyone can see and understand the message, regardless of color perception.

🗨️ Subtitles – For Deaf individuals, people learning a new language, or even those in a noisy room, subtitles make content accessible and comprehensible.

[CC] Closed captioning – Closed captions provide a fuller experience, including non-speech elements like laughter, music, and sound effects, offering a richer understanding of content for everyone.

Accessibility isn’t just a checklist or an obligation. It’s about building a world where no one has to struggle just to keep up. We’re not there yet, but every small effort counts.

Credit: .on.wheels

I’m posting this again because it can’t be said too many times. The one bit that seems to stump a lot of people is camel case. For those that don’t know, take a look at my hashtags to see it in action. It is the capitalising of the first letter of every word, when words are conjoined without spaces. Accessibility wise, it makes words written in this way easier to read, and it means that screen readers will read each individual word as it was intended. [ID: A cute cartoon on the topic of access needs. In the centre are the words “accessibility is more than a ramp” which is then surrounded by examples of access needs. Starting from the top left corner and working clockwise… “flexible time constraints” with a drawing of an alarm clock. “camel case” with a drawing of a hashtag. “noise levels” with a drawing of musical notes. “Braille” with a drawing of the word Braille written in Braille. “image description + alt text” there’s no drawing with this one. “font choices” with a drawing of overly decorative font. “hearing loop” with a drawing of the hearing loop logo. “colour combinations” with a drawing of two examples of combinations, one clear and one very unclear. “subtitles and closed captioning” with a drawing of the closed captions CC logo. “lighting levels” with a drawing of a ceiling light and light beam. “sign interpreter” with a drawing of an arm demonstrating the way to say hello in BSL. The background of the slide is pale blue.] #Accessibility #AccessNeeds #Disabled #Disability #Accessible #Deaf #Blind #HardOfHearing #Braille #BSL #ASL #HearingLoop #ClosedCaptioning #SignLanguage #CamelCase #DisabilityAwareness #AccessibilityAwareness #Awareness #Wheelchair #Powerchair #HearingAid #MobilityAid #BabeWithAMobilityAid #Cute #Art #DigitalArt #Procreate #Illustration #Drawing #DisabledArtist

Thanks for another great year! 🧡 With the help of our generous players, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters, we raised $4,272 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at the golf outing this year. 🎉🥳🥹

It was a great day to Walk MS! Thank you all who showed up and/or donated to team MS is BS. We truly appreciate you all. 🧡