1. YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG Matt May

2. We have an image problem Part of it is our fault Part of it isn’t, but life’s not fair

3. Our reputation (earned or not) We demand too much We offer too little We underestimate the work involved We make idle threats

4. x is not accessible! To whom? For what? With what hardware/software? What is the impact?

5. x is not accessible! …is a judgment against someone …and possibly a claim that they have violated –Policy or law –Civil rights

6. ad·vo·ca·cy (n.) The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support.

7. Who can be an advocate? Developers Designers Users Citizens in any combination with any level of ability

8. Advocacy to colleagues Encouraging continuing education Sharing best practices Contributing code

9. Advocacy across disciplines Asking for help –designers from devs, devs from managers… Seeing who’s paying attention Showing leadership

10. Advocacy for (and by) users Finding and showing real problems –while explaining severity/reproducibility Filing bugs (and following up) Not knowing what’s wrong isn’t a problem –but underestimating the fix is Listening for a response

11. The Sentence This is a problem and this is how it affects people and you can solve it and if you don’t, these are the consequences

12. The Sentence This is a problem (Convert) and this is how it affects people (Compel) and you can solve it (Convince) and if you don’t, these are the consequences (Combat)

13. Convert This is a problem. These are your most valuable contacts Make them your best advocates –aka “force multipliers” Give the all the info/support they need

14. Compel This is a problem, and this is how it affects people. Teach them the problem set: –how PWDs use technology –where problems are usually found Give examples that apply concretely Make yourself available to follow up

15. Convince This is a problem, and this is how it affects people, and you can solve it. Explain their role and responsibility –especially when they’re the only ones who can fix the problem Contribute where possible –code –resources –Q&A

16. Combat …and if you don’t, these are the consequences. Don’t overplay your hand –idle threats will end your relationship Use the law, but don’t bluff Don’t vilify your contact or their organization Keep the door open

17. “Complain” is not a step Venting does not equal advocacy Nobody wants to hear they “don’t get it” Frustration is understandable –even justifiable but it can’t lead you to alienate the people you need to help you

20. The Sentence This is a problem (Convert) and this is how it affects people (Compel) and you can solve it (Convince) and if you don’t, these are the consequences (Combat)

21. Sidebar: is this tone policing? Some of what we do is emotionally charged It’s not wrong to be angry about this issue But we control how we channel that anger

22. Final thoughts It is not up to “them” alone to solve We need our own expertise –and we need to keep it current We need to support, sustain, and rebuild our own movement