Scope

My portfolio is the Can That Be Accessible? website.

This is solo exploration of whether certain things can be made accessible. I fundamentally believe that when you plan properly, you plan for accessibility.

In Can a Medieval Fayre be accessible?, I explore whether a rustic, loud, and crowded event can be immersive while being accessible. In Should accessibility ever be de-linked from disability? I explore an underlying tension in justifications for accessibility. This blog post is based on a real conversation I had at work about how we frame accessibility to a wider audience.

Introduction

One time at work, a colleague suggested that I change a Slido quiz answer that read: “Universal design benefits everyone, not just people with disability.” They said this shouldn’t be the primary framing. At the end of the day, universal design is about removing barriers affecting people with disability—when you centre it on anything else, you lose that focus.

You don’t get far if you don’t give yourself a good colour palette.

That’s why one of the first things I did was set up one of my own.

The main colours used would be Dark Blue and Light Blue (as you can see on my logo). While it would have been fine to stick to a blue gradient, I added Dark Purple and Pale Yellow in case if I ever needed more colours.

William explores whether the Blacktown City Medieval Fayre was accessible for people with disability.

Relevant links

• Blacktown Medieval Fayre page
• Blacktown City Council Disability Inclusion Action Plan

Other Versions

Bonus facts

• The “cool weapon” is the Tsar Cannon, which is a gigantic cannon that was built in 1586. The cannon was likely fired once in its history, but because of its ornate and intricate design, it’s best to not fire it—especially on its current carriage.
• The ship featured in the video is HMS Victory, the oldest ship that is still currently commissioned in a navy.
• The image used to depict the “Sarumen” and “Saurons” is just Merlin the Wizard.
• I wore a blazer and my two high school HSIE medals as an outfit. I wanted to look like a well-read gentlemen. However, I ended looking more like someone stealing valour.

Introduction

William Luu: Ever since starting my current role at an unnamed government agency, I’ve taken quite an interest to accessibility. I also consider myself someone interested in nerdy stuff.