October 2022
Message from Chandra – October 2022
Kia ora
Celebrating 3 years on
It’s our third birthday and it’s been a busy few months – as always it seems.
On our third birthday as an independent digital accessibility company, Access Advisors is thrilled to announce some great news. Firstly, we now have offices in Ōtautahi (Christchurch), and are now based in the Garden Lounge at Blind Low Vision’s offices in Christchurch. Big thanks to all who made this possible.
Secondly, we are now officially working alongside several other key New Zealand accessibility service providers; namely the Accessibility Tick, Be Lab, CCS Disability Action and of course Blind Low Vision NZ. Access Advisors is no stranger to working with these other organisations in various ways over the years, but now it’s official and we’d like to shout it out. There is more information about this on our website.
Over the last few months Ross and I have also been to a couple of conferences. I was on a panel at the Disability Inclusive Pathways Conference in Rotorua and presented a keynote at the Tertiary ICT Conference.
Thanks to everyone who has helped us get this far, and let’s see what we can achieve in the next three years.
Happy reading
From Chandra and the team at Access Advisors
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Access Advisors’ Access Panel
Do you want to make a difference in our digital world?
Would you like to get paid to have your say about digital accessibility?
Come and join our research panel!
As part of our work as digital accessibility consultants, we often recommend that customers do some research, or test their products, with people with lived experience of disability.
We have a Research Panel of people with access needs who are keen to be part of the solution and provide first-hand opinions. We are looking for more people to join our research panel.
If you join the panel, you might be asked to answer a survey, or attend an interview asking questions about how you use technology, or maybe attend a workshop. These sessions could be online or in person. These projects happen every now and then, but you don’t have to participate unless it interests you. Whenever you are chosen you will be paid for your time and travel.
If this sounds like something you, or a friend you know, would enjoy, then please fill in our survey or contact Katherine at info@accessadvisors.nz. More information can be found on our website.
Access Advisors’ Access Panel – Panelist Profile
Introducing Krystle Crimmins
Access Advisors is honoured to work alongside a variety of wonderful people on our Access Panel.
Our panelists help with client facing research, usability testing, demo days and being the voice of lived experience.
In this newsletter we say specific thanks to Krystle, a member of our panel, who has helped us out on numerous occasions.
Krystle is a born and bred Wellingtonian and she was diagnosed with epilepsy at birth. Krystle also has hemiplegia which is a form of Cerebral Palsy. She has a passion for working with all types of people and can empathise with many people who are going through life struggles. Krystle’s background is in Exercise Science, Tourism and Retail.
Krystle came up with the idea to share Epilepsy First Aid with everyone when she realised there was a lack of awareness around what to do when someone has a seizure. People often comment that they are afraid of seizures and are not sure what to do.
Krystle wants to share her experience and knowledge of Epilepsy and most importantly inform the public that it is ok for people to assist when some has a seizure and not to just ignore them or walk away. Most of all she wants to empower people who have Epilepsy that anything can be achieved when you put your mind to it.
Krystle is the director of www.epilepsyfirstaid.com and has written 2 books, Epilepsy First Aid and Snowy’s Talent, both of which are available on her website.
November is Epilepsy Awareness month, for further information and support see Epilepsy New Zealand.Krystle is just one of our panelists from across the motu. If you would like to find out more about our Access Panel, please email Access Advisors or call Katherine on 027 265 4207.
Recent Blog posts from the Team
Ten tips for better accessibility
Five Top Things to Consider for Your Accessibility Statement
News from the Accessibility World
Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill
Access Matters have set up a quick submission form so that you can easily have your say on the ‘Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill’.Many disabled people don’t believe this legislation will deliver real progress or improvements, because the Government Bill:
* has no means of enforcement
* only applies to central government, and is NOT applicable to the private sector
* has no standard
* has no regulator
* has no dispute-resolution process
* has no obligations or timeframe
* only creates a new advisory committee which does not require an Act of Parliament and will only perpetuate the slow and fragmented system currently in place
* relies on the values, priorities and decisions of future Ministers.
You can let the Select Committee considering the bill know your thoughts by filling this Quick Submission Form – Select Committee
World Cerebral Palsy Day – October 6
Coinciding with World Cerebral Palsy Day on October 6, October is the month to show your support for people living with Cerebral Palsy.
Join Kiwis across the country who will be dressing up in green – the international colour for Cerebral Palsy awareness – to celebrate, to embrace diversity, and to help advocate for a more accessible future for everyone.
Be Green & Be Seen is running throughout the month of October.
What is Purple Tuesday?
Purple Tuesday is a global social movement and the #1 brand for improving the customer experience for disabled people and their families 365 days a year. Participating organisations make public commitments (a minimum of one new activity or initiative) each year that improves their accessibility and practice so that disabled customers have a better, more inclusive experience.
Purple Tuesday is 1 November 2022
Kev’s Top Tip – It Really Does Matter
Consistency is important, particularly when your have neuro-diverse customers. Try not to surprise, confuse or simply block them. When you design a process take the time to review it – are the titles of the buttons reflective of what they do – e.g. if the button says “buy Now” does it actually buy the item.In terms of consistency though look at how you have used phrases on each page of this, and on similar forms, if you use cart then don’t change to basket part way through. It really matters – if your customer is expecting a cart then changing to basket can throw them totally. Similarly when asking questions be sure that they are answerable if you read them literally.
Kevin Prince – Senior Accessibility Consultant
Please visit our website to meet the team, for more news and blog posts and details of all our services. You can contact us by calling 0800 300 099 or email us at info@accessadvisors.nz. You can also contact us through the form on our website to ask a question or request our help.