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That's definitely a good idea. I didn't think about that. Although it seems difficult to leverage my "disability" as a marketable asset - or at least how to fra

That's definitely a good idea. I didn't think about that. Although it seems difficult to leverage my "disability" as a marketable asset - or at least how to frame it constructively.

bipson 5y ago
Oh, I would argue that it is a marketable asset. Depends on your prospective employer. In e.g. Austria regional or communal government, or agencies working with them, would gladly pick you up, give you a protected workplace and enlist you to help make all the e-government sites and processes more accessible. I'm not simply claiming this. I used to work with a 100% blind developer, that had a degree from Uni Innsbruck in either Computer Science or Mathematics, I don't remember really. I could not understand how he managed to get a degree (in the 80ies or 90ies nonetheless), but even if he needed special tools, he was a very important asset in the whole e-government push, especially because he was apparently a very valuable software developer, albeit his challenges.
rognjen 5y ago
> how to frame it constructively At the very least, you would need to run websites with an increased zoom which would give you an insight into what sites look like at non-standard sizes. You'd also understand better than most the difficulty with but also how to improve tap targets or set better contrast, etc. I think you can start just by making existing sites easier to use for yourself. You can follow that up with learning how to improve sites for users with ever more difficulty seeing and then branch into hearing.
infamia 5y ago
Lots of higher ed institutions won't even consider purchasing a new piece of new software unless it passes WCAG. It's a part of the bidding process now. Lot of Universities have been sued because the software they use is not accesible. This is a huge deal in higher ed. Also, software vendors lack accessibility talent. If you can find your way into this niche, it could be lucrative for you. I would suggest you do a ton of research on the various types of accessibility issues, participate in web-dev accessibility communities, and start posting content on how to develop attractive and accessible sites once you feel very knowledgeable. Maybe even make some simple tools for your site/whereever you start posting content. There is definitely a lack of developer tools and quality content around accessibility.
- mouzogu 5y ago
  Thanks for the actionable advice.

That's definitely a good idea. I didn't think about that. Although it seems difficult to leverage my "disability" as a marketable asset - or at least how to frame it constructively.

bipson 5y ago

Oh, I would argue that it is a marketable asset. Depends on your prospective employer. In e.g. Austria regional or communal government, or agencies working with them, would gladly pick you up, give you a protected workplace and enlist you to help make all the e-government sites and processes more accessible. I'm not simply claiming this. I used to work with a 100% blind developer, that had a degree from Uni Innsbruck in either Computer Science or Mathematics, I don't remember really. I could not understand how he managed to get a degree (in the 80ies or 90ies nonetheless), but even if he needed special tools, he was a very important asset in the whole e-government push, especially because he was apparently a very valuable software developer, albeit his challenges.

rognjen 5y ago

> how to frame it constructively At the very least, you would need to run websites with an increased zoom which would give you an insight into what sites look like at non-standard sizes. You'd also understand better than most the difficulty with but also how to improve tap targets or set better contrast, etc. I think you can start just by making existing sites easier to use for yourself. You can follow that up with learning how to improve sites for users with ever more difficulty seeing and then branch into hearing.

infamia 5y ago

Lots of higher ed institutions won't even consider purchasing a new piece of new software unless it passes WCAG. It's a part of the bidding process now. Lot of Universities have been sued because the software they use is not accesible. This is a huge deal in higher ed. Also, software vendors lack accessibility talent. If you can find your way into this niche, it could be lucrative for you. I would suggest you do a ton of research on the various types of accessibility issues, participate in web-dev accessibility communities, and start posting content on how to develop attractive and accessible sites once you feel very knowledgeable. Maybe even make some simple tools for your site/whereever you start posting content. There is definitely a lack of developer tools and quality content around accessibility.

mouzogu 5y ago
Thanks for the actionable advice.