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From Developer to Advocate: Building an Accessible Future in Germany

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Manage episode 508591868 series 3474034
Content provided by Antonio Santos, Debra Ruh, Neil Milliken, Antonio Santos, Debra Ruh, and Neil Milliken. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Antonio Santos, Debra Ruh, Neil Milliken, Antonio Santos, Debra Ruh, and Neil Milliken or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Marc Haunschild joins AXSChat to share his experiences as an accessibility consultant helping companies navigate the European Accessibility Act and comply with modern digital inclusion standards. Drawing from nearly two decades as a developer, Mark offers practical insights into the challenges and opportunities that arise when organizations commit to accessibility.
The conversation explores how the German government implements an innovative scoring system for evaluating vendors that goes beyond binary pass/fail accessibility metrics. This transparent approach considers multiple factors including team diversity and pricing alongside accessibility requirements, creating a more holistic evaluation process. Mark explains why this system encourages progress without demanding unattainable perfection - using a brilliant car safety analogy to illustrate how baseline requirements can ensure usability without overwhelming organizations new to accessibility.
We delve into generational differences in accessibility adoption, with Mark noting how younger developers often embrace these principles enthusiastically once exposed to them. The discussion tackles the misconception that AI will solve all accessibility challenges, with Mark clarifying where automation helps and where human expertise remains essential. He also emphasizes the value of collaboration among accessibility professionals to tackle larger projects and gain diverse perspectives.
As Germany faces the challenges of an aging population with increasing accessibility needs, Mark's work represents the practical, measured approach needed to create sustainable progress. His insights demonstrate how thoughtful implementation of standards can drive meaningful inclusion without overwhelming organizations just beginning their accessibility journey.
Ready to learn more about implementing accessibility in your organization? Connect with Mark through his website or the "Accessibility by Default" project to benefit from his practical, balanced approach to digital inclusion.

Support the show

Follow axschat on social media.
Bluesky:
Antonio https://bsky.app/profile/akwyz.com

Debra https://bsky.app/profile/debraruh.bsky.social

Neil https://bsky.app/profile/neilmilliken.bsky.social

axschat https://bsky.app/profile/axschat.bsky.social

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniovieirasantos/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/axschat/
Vimeo
https://vimeo.com/akwyz
https://twitter.com/axschat
https://twitter.com/AkwyZ
https://twitter.com/neilmilliken
https://twitter.com/debraruh

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Introduction to Mark Hounschut (00:00:00)

2. European Accessibility Act Impact (00:01:46)

3. Government Scoring System Approach (00:03:18)

4. Accessibility vs Perfection Balance (00:06:31)

5. Young Developers and Accessibility Education (00:10:10)

6. AI's Role in Accessibility (00:16:18)

7. Collaboration in Accessibility Work (00:20:53)

8. Closing and Contact Information (00:22:10)

284 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 508591868 series 3474034
Content provided by Antonio Santos, Debra Ruh, Neil Milliken, Antonio Santos, Debra Ruh, and Neil Milliken. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Antonio Santos, Debra Ruh, Neil Milliken, Antonio Santos, Debra Ruh, and Neil Milliken or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Marc Haunschild joins AXSChat to share his experiences as an accessibility consultant helping companies navigate the European Accessibility Act and comply with modern digital inclusion standards. Drawing from nearly two decades as a developer, Mark offers practical insights into the challenges and opportunities that arise when organizations commit to accessibility.
The conversation explores how the German government implements an innovative scoring system for evaluating vendors that goes beyond binary pass/fail accessibility metrics. This transparent approach considers multiple factors including team diversity and pricing alongside accessibility requirements, creating a more holistic evaluation process. Mark explains why this system encourages progress without demanding unattainable perfection - using a brilliant car safety analogy to illustrate how baseline requirements can ensure usability without overwhelming organizations new to accessibility.
We delve into generational differences in accessibility adoption, with Mark noting how younger developers often embrace these principles enthusiastically once exposed to them. The discussion tackles the misconception that AI will solve all accessibility challenges, with Mark clarifying where automation helps and where human expertise remains essential. He also emphasizes the value of collaboration among accessibility professionals to tackle larger projects and gain diverse perspectives.
As Germany faces the challenges of an aging population with increasing accessibility needs, Mark's work represents the practical, measured approach needed to create sustainable progress. His insights demonstrate how thoughtful implementation of standards can drive meaningful inclusion without overwhelming organizations just beginning their accessibility journey.
Ready to learn more about implementing accessibility in your organization? Connect with Mark through his website or the "Accessibility by Default" project to benefit from his practical, balanced approach to digital inclusion.

Support the show

Follow axschat on social media.
Bluesky:
Antonio https://bsky.app/profile/akwyz.com

Debra https://bsky.app/profile/debraruh.bsky.social

Neil https://bsky.app/profile/neilmilliken.bsky.social

axschat https://bsky.app/profile/axschat.bsky.social

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniovieirasantos/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/axschat/
Vimeo
https://vimeo.com/akwyz
https://twitter.com/axschat
https://twitter.com/AkwyZ
https://twitter.com/neilmilliken
https://twitter.com/debraruh

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Introduction to Mark Hounschut (00:00:00)

2. European Accessibility Act Impact (00:01:46)

3. Government Scoring System Approach (00:03:18)

4. Accessibility vs Perfection Balance (00:06:31)

5. Young Developers and Accessibility Education (00:10:10)

6. AI's Role in Accessibility (00:16:18)

7. Collaboration in Accessibility Work (00:20:53)

8. Closing and Contact Information (00:22:10)

284 episodes

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