Lots of new folks here from Blewski, and we’re glad to see you!
You might have noticed we’re kinda particular about adding alt-text to images (beige.party is among top performers when it comes to alt text, by the way), and I’d like to share why and what the benefits are.
Why: there are lots of amazing people on the fedi who are either blind or visually impaired, and alt text gives them access to the images shared here. Along with them, there are folks who have visual processing disorders, and there are folks who just who might not know what the hell they’re looking at. Alt text gives them access, too. A third reason why: creating things that are accessible from the start is just a great way to make your images available to everyone without having to go back to the drawing board. The concept is Universal Design, and it’s a great way to do pretty much everything.
Benefits: 1. People who frequently come up against barriers have a space where those barriers are reduced or eliminated, and they’re more likely to stick around. 2. Interaction improves, resulting in more and better connections, allowing for a social network that’s *actually* more social. 3. Other stuff that’s not occurring to me in the moment (I’m distracted by the workshop happening on my computer screen), but which I’m sure my brilliant friends can add.
Alt text is just the right thing to do.
A comment I’ve seen before is “But what if I don’t have the spoons?” Lots of folks on fedi, my own amazing wife included, have disabilities or conditions that limit their energy or capacity to engage in tasks such as adding alt text. That’s 100% understandable and okay. A great way to work with that is to write your alt text a little bit at a time in a notes app when you have the ability, then just cut & paste when you post your image. There’s no rush in interaction here, and we want *everybody* to have access to the amazing stuff shared. Please consider this when posting pics, charts, comics, etc. We all deserve a bit of beauty, learning, and laughter in our days.
This morning’s first workshop is about eating disorders, and the presenter mentioned poor interoception, or one’s ability to understand the signals the body is sending.
As a person with ADHD, I *really* relate to this. I’m not hot until I’m sweating, or cold until I’m shivering, or hungry until I’m starving, or in pain until I’m in agony. It’s a weird way to be.
I’ve always found it super impressive when someone has a really sensitive awareness of what’s going on in their body, like they’re immediately aware of how a certain food affects them. It often takes me literal years before I understand how certain foods make my body feel.
Are y’all smelling what I’m stepping in?
#ADHD
#neurodivergent
In light of the US President’s press conference in which he made ridiculous claims about autism and literally slandered Tylenol, America has but one question: when will the complete and unredacted Epstein files be released?
