Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Steep stairs, big elephant

This year I'm working with the Washington Council of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind on public relations. There is a keen interest in using social media to drive traffic to affiliate websites. Websites are the conversion point to make contact, get members, and donations.

We face a few challenges:
1. Not one social media platform is completely accessible for people using screen reading software.
2. Many affiliate websites are not user-friendly for sighted or low-vision people.
3. Many affiliate websites are being used as filing cabinets or online brochures--no actionable items and no current content.
4. Many affiliates need help with design and there are some turf fighters in the organization.

This isn't much different than working as a designer with text people in a newsroom. (Just a different elephant to push up the stairs.)

Kowabunga!