Foreword

First, I’d like to applaud you for buying, or borrowing, a book on web accessibility—not because learning about accessibility is something you should do, but because you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. Learning a new tool or framework is one thing, but rethinking who you are creating things for is quite another. It means accepting that you might have failed people in the past, and that’s equally challenging.

I’m also glad you chose this particular book. In less capable hands, writing about accessibility paints it as complex, tedious, and scary. While there are many technical challenges to face—which Laura deftly addresses here—the most important lesson is that everyone uses the web quite differently. And that’s whether or not they have what you may consider disabilities.

It’s a big deal, but don't worry. Laura’s book teaches you how to navigate accessibility, how to develop strategies for it, and how to embrace it as a fresh challenge. With practice, designing and building inclusive interfaces will become second nature. You won’t work any harder, you’ll just do better work—and better serve a more diverse group of people.

—Heydon Pickering