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Content Strategy Insights

Mike Gifford: Accessibility, Sustainability, and Content Management

Oct 1, 2024
Mike Gifford, the open standards and practices lead at Civic Actions, dives into the vital intersection of web accessibility and digital sustainability. He highlights the environmental impact of online practices and the importance of integrating accessibility from development's start. The conversation stresses collaboration between content creators and engineers to ensure resource-efficient systems. Mike covers the role of user testing, especially with individuals with disabilities, and advocates for a holistic approach that includes all disciplines in content management.
31:26

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Accessibility and sustainability should be addressed from the beginning of the development process to avoid increased costs and inefficiencies.
  • Developing standardized web sustainability guidelines is crucial for effectively measuring and reducing the digital carbon footprint of organizations.

Deep dives

The Intersection of Accessibility and Sustainability

Accessibility and sustainability share crucial similarities in their implementation challenges and goals. Both are often considered only at the end of a development cycle, which can lead to increased costs and inefficiencies if not addressed from the outset. Additionally, there is a prevalent attitude that while everyone desires an accessible and sustainable online presence, organizations are often reluctant to allocate budget for these initiatives. This reluctance can result in the need for internal leadership or regulatory support to drive meaningful change, similar to existing frameworks for accessibility standards.

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