Mike Gifford: Accessibility, Sustainability, and Content Management
Oct 1, 2024
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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.
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.
Building Frameworks for Digital Sustainability
The development of web sustainability guidelines is underway, reflecting a proactive approach to mitigate the environmental impact of digital products. These guidelines aim to create a standardized framework akin to established accessibility standards, providing governments and organizations with a clear path for reducing their digital carbon footprints. The initiative addresses a common challenge: measuring the effectiveness of sustainability efforts, which often requires user engagement and interactions that cannot be easily quantified. By establishing these guidelines, stakeholders hope to create a robust framework to collaboratively advance digital sustainability.
The Importance of Collaboration in Digital Practices
Collaboration among various stakeholders—including content creators, developers, and design teams—is essential for achieving both accessibility and sustainability in digital content. Engaging content authors in the technical development process can ensure that tools are optimized for both user experience and environmental efficiency. This collaboration can lead to practical solutions, such as interface improvements that promote accessible content creation and reduce resource demands. The integration of diverse perspectives will enhance overall product quality, benefiting all users and the environment alike.
Where web accessibility, digital sustainability, content management, open-source software, and web standards intersect, you'll find Mike Gifford.
Mike is the open standards and practices lead at Civic Actions, a company that helps governments deliver better digital services.
Through his practice, Mike ensures that the content systems they deliver are built as sustainably as possible, deliver accessible experiences to citizens, and work well for authors and others who use the system.
https://ellessmedia.com/csi/mike-gifford/
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