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If you work mostly on the back-end of the tech stack, it’s easy to assume that your role is disengaged from accessibility concerns. After all, that’s the front-end’s job! However, there are multiple, specific ways back-end devs can impact accessibility - not just for users, but also for colleagues.
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The video features Hilary Stohs-Krause at RailsConf 2024 discussing how back-end developers can contribute to accessibility within tech environments. The session aims to broaden the understanding of accessibility and its importance beyond just front-end development, emphasizing that inclusivity should be an overarching goal for all developers. Key points covered in the talk include: - **Definition of Accessibility**: Accessibility refers not only to external users but also internal colleagues who may face various challenges, emphasizing the broader need for inclusivity. - **Statistics on Disabilities**: Presenting statistics showing that a significant portion of the population has disabilities—including 16% globally—and many of these conditions can affect younger individuals as well. - **Impact of Accessibility Improvements**: Historical examples such as the invention of text-to-speech and electric toothbrushes underline how accessibility features often benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities. - **Readability in Code**: Hilary stresses the need for code clarity by avoiding abbreviations and acronyms, enhancing readability, and making documentation more understandable for all developers, including those who may use screen readers. - **Use of Linters**: Linters are highlighted as valuable tools for maintaining coding standards and consistency, making code more accessible and easier to follow. - **General Tips for Improvement**: Recommendations include keeping lines of code shorter for easier comprehension, proper indentation, and using descriptive method names. - **Catering to Diverse Needs**: The session acknowledges that disabilities can be invisible and that accommodating various working styles and preferences—especially in remote settings—is critical. - **Fostering a Supportive Culture**: Encouraging open discussions about accessibility challenges creates a more inclusive environment. The speaker concludes with a call for actionable steps toward improving accessibility at work, focusing on kindness and communication. Hilary wraps up the talk by inviting attendees to reach out for further discussion on the topic and by offering fun swag as an engagement tool. The overarching message is the necessity for back-end developers to engage with accessibility to improve inclusivity across the board! This session serves as a reminder that accessibility is not merely the responsibility of front-end developers, but a collective responsibility that ultimately benefits everyone in the tech community.
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