Articles FROM

Cathy Mitchell

  • Does Your Tiny Business Really Need to Worry about Accessibility?

    Cathy Mitchell Avatar
    Cathy Mitchell
    Does Your Tiny Business Really Need to Worry about Accessibility?

    I’ll admit it: when I started the research for this article, I expected to find stories of altruism or political grandstanding.

    I was surprised by what I found. For instance, did you know that back in 1997 our very own Royal Bank of Canada installed the world’s first talking ATM in an Ottawa branch?

    Table of Contents

    In 2024 RBC posted record earnings of $16.2 billion, and the bank credits the growth, in part, to their focus on accessibility standards.

    Accenture’s survey found that companies leading on accessibility, claim 28% higher revenue and double the net income of their peers!

    2022 paid report from Forrester Research  estimated that accessibility and user improvements bring back $100 for every $1 invested.

    I had also assumed that the market for accessible services would be too tiny for most small businesses to consider. But according to a 2022 Stats Canada survey, 1 in 20 Canadians runs into an issue online. That is 1.4 million adults.

    Side note: have you ever tried to convince an aging parent to admit they need glasses or a hearing aid?(She’d rather be the loudest person in the room than admit she has a hearing problem.) My point? Self-reported disabilities are severely under-reported.

    And one of our fearless WCEH Organizers pointed out that 100% of us will face a ‘disability’ at some point: a broken bone, hearing loss, sight issues, surgery or medical issues that force us to adapt. A flu that puts us in bed and off work. Every. Single. One of us.

    So now I’m convinced: we need to bake accessibility into our websites by default.

    So then the question becomes,what do we do? How? And how much will it hurt?

    The Accessibility Authority & Stakeholders

    The Accessible Canada Act aims to make Canada barrier-free by January 1, 2040. This is our country’s main advocate for accessibility, made up of elected and appointed politicians and people with lived experience.

    ACA also has the means to enforce the standards. They can levy penalties of up to $250,000 per violation!

    ACA is basing their digital standards and plans on the worldwide standards known as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – recently changed to W3 Consortium Accessibility Guidelines). It bundles 13 guidelines under four principles. They are listed below and copied verbatim from WCAG.

    Perceivable

    • Deliver text alternatives for non-text content.
    • Deliver captions and other alternatives for multimedia.
    • Create content that can be presented in different ways, including by assistive technologies, without losing meaning.
    • Make it easier for users to see and hear content.

    Operable

    • Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
    • Give users enough time to read and use content.
    • Do not use content that causes seizures or physical reactions.
    • Help users navigate and find content.
    • Make it easier to use inputs other than keyboard.

    Understandable

    • Make text readable and understandable.
    • Make content appear and operate in predictable ways.
    • Help users avoid and correct mistakes.

    Robust

    • Maximize compatibility with current and future user tools.

    WCAG Version 2.2 added 9 more criteria for success. (Listed here)

    That covers what we ought to do. Putting it all into practice, and learning about all the iterations takes time and effort. And this isnt going to happen by accident. Troy does an excellent job inspiring us – regardless of our technical or editing ability. When we know why, we are far more likely to enjoy (read:do) the thing.

    Now, lets get practical.

    Make it Practical: A Warning

    At my agency last week we heard two very different requests from clients. One sent us a 20+ page report (from a paid plugin) of accessibility issues that needed fixing.

    Ironically, the button the Accessibility plugin added, was part of the problem!

    The second, a worried plea for help because a business colleague was just fined for not meeting accessibility standards (in Florida) online.

    Which brings me to the golden rule (as I have dubbed it) of accessibility: do not rely on computer scans and tools.

    You can only get a full picture of your site’s issues by assessing how real people with disabilities, who use assistive technologies and who don’t, use your site.

    Be wary of promises and automated services selling a quick fix. With accessibility, if it is cheap or quick – it likely isn’t real.

    Make it Practical: A Checklist

    Here are some tasks anyone can do today:

    Are you the writer?

    Are you the developer?

    • use clean, accessible themes & plugins
    • add titles and aria-labels to links and icons/buttons
    • scan and test pages with browser extensions
    • tab through every page
    • add voice readers
    • keep up with new WCAG versions (I just learned this aria-labelled by tonight!)
    • WCEH 2025 Session: Audit and Remediate a Site for Accessibility

    Are you browsing, as a user?

    • when your favorite sites don’t have accessibility statements, ask for them
    • when you encounter issues with a website, let its team know—it is invaluable to find out about issues!

    So that’s my research this week. Disclosure: I’m off to craft my accessibility statement! If you have experience in this area, please share your tutorial in the comments. Let’s make our sites usable for everyone.

    And, of course I’ll be at all the Accessibility talks this October! See you there?

    Get your tickets, bring your curiosity, and join us in Ottawa this fall for an unforgettable celebration of WordPress, community, and the open web! 🌐

    🎟️ Tickets are on sale now, and we’ve secured discount rates for you at area hotels. 🏨

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  • Amplifying Diverse Voices in WordPress: A Conversation with Winstina Hughes, Founder of Support Inclusion in Tech (SiNC)

    Cathy Mitchell Avatar
    Cathy Mitchell
    Amplifying Diverse Voices in WordPress: A Conversation with Winstina Hughes, Founder of Support Inclusion in Tech (SiNC)

    At WCEH, we believe Canada’s greatest strength is its mosaic of perspectives – and that spirit extends across the global WordPress community.

    One advocate living out that value every day is Winstina Hughes, MCRP, founder of Support Inclusion in Tech (SiNC). Over virtual coffee, we chatted with Winstina about why diverse representation matters, how SiNC funds speaker travel to WordCamps, and what’s next for her rapidly growing initiative.

    A Defining Moment

    WCEH: Let’s start with a personal story. When did you realise more diverse voices were needed in tech, and what moved you to get involved?

    Winstina: Black women are rare yet invaluable in tech. As outsiders, we deeply understand the intentionality needed for truly inclusive spaces where all diverse voices thrive. We bring rich perspectives, innovation, resilience, and strong community-building.

    As a graduate student pursuing an advanced degree in transportation planning, I was a rarity in WordPress. I remain involved in the WordPress New York City community because Cami Kaos and Steve Bruner recognized this in me and encouraged me to contribute to the Make WordPress community team as a Meetup and WordCamp Organizer.

    The Birth & Future of SiNC

    WCEH: How did that experience evolve into SiNC, and where do you see it in five years?

    Winstina: This background gave me the insight to support inclusion in technology in a way that increased black voices and sent underrepresented speakers from five continents and the Caribbean to WordCamps through partnerships. In five years,

    1. Increase the number of diverse speakers at WordPress events worldwide.
    2. Expand our mentor – mentee programme.
    3. Launch contributor cohorts across all regions – Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America.

    The Dollars and Cents of Inclusion

    WCEH: Funding travel isn’t cheap. How do you keep the lights on, and how can the community help?

    Winstina: My consulting company covers SiNC’s operating essentials and my partners provide in-kind donations like marketing, design, web hosting, and plugins for our website. Several partners have covered diverse talent’s travel expenses, enabling them to speak at WordCamps.

    It’s super kind of you to express an interest in helping. Since we launched three years ago, I’m frequently asked how we sustain our work. Donating to SINC’s Open Collective Tiers directly helps our mission to foster inclusion in the WordPress community. This month, I created the “Maintainer” tier, where a $16.38/month contribution covers 100% of SiNC’s operational essentials. The number of monthly donors is capped.

    How the Grant Process Works

    WCEH: Walk us through a typical grant – from application to reimbursement.

    Winstina: A diverse speaker has to receive their WordCamp acceptance email to apply for support. That’s it. The application for support is on our website. After applying they are paired with a partner. They then submit their travel expenses for reimbursement.

    From 2022-2023, we paired speakers directly with partners, each with their own budget. Yoast currently remains an active partner accepting applications. In 2024, I began fundraising on Open Collective for speaker support.

    Right now, 6 Open Collective grants are available on a first-come basis.

    The Ripple Effect of Representation

    WCEH: How would tech – and WordCamps – change if we fully lived out SiNC’s vision?

    Winstina: A commitment to all backgrounds, perspectives, and skill sets directly translates to superior tech products, services, and an undeniably better WordCamp.

    A Word to the Hesitant

    WCEH: What would you say to someone who’s hesitant to contribute or get involved?

    Winstina: Trust me. You offer something no one else has.  

    How You Can Support Increased Representation

    Donate: Join the Maintainer tier (or any tier) on SiNC’s Open Collective.

    Partner: Offer in‑kind services – design, hosting, plugin licences, marketing.

    Mentor: Volunteer time to guide emerging speakers and contributors.

    Share: Spread the word about SiNC grants to under‑represented voices in your networks

    Conclusion

    From Vancouver to St. John’s – and across the globe – WordPress thrives when every voice is heard. Winstina  Hughes reminds us that inclusivity isn’t just the Canadian way; it’s the future of tech. If you’ve ever wondered whether your contribution matters, consider this your invitation to jump in, eh?

    Interested in virtual coffee with Winstina? Drop her a line – she’s brewing up change, one conversation at a time.

    Winstina Hughes

    Winstina Hughes is an experienced transportation planner and passionate community builder, educated at Rutgers University. She’s adept at creating inclusive and equitable communities, leveraging her expertise in transportation and technology for positive impact. As an open-source leader passionate about inclusion, she founded Support Inclusion in Tech (SiNC) with partners to fund travel for diverse WordPress speakers, fostering a more equitable open-source community. In 2024, she was a Yoast Care fund recipient for SiNC’s impact and her work organizing WordCamps.

    Newsletter:  Sign-up
    Linkedin:     Connect Follow SupportInclusioninTech
    Website:  Support Inclusion in Tech

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  • Conference Rates at Ottawa Hotels

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    Cathy Mitchell
    Conference Rates at Ottawa Hotels

    In addition to our travel planning guide for WordCamp Canada attendees, we also have a “Recommended Hotels” page. There you can find some limited-time offers for discounted rates at several hotels near the conference venue:

    🎟️ Get your WCEH tickets early and lock into a discount rate at Ottawa hotels near our venue. 🏨


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  • Lipstick, Lanyards and Laptops: Introverts Belong at WordCamp too!

    Cathy Mitchell Avatar
    Cathy Mitchell
    Lipstick, Lanyards and Laptops: Introverts Belong at WordCamp too!

    It was a long, anxious drive to WordCamp 2010. I was early: too early? I really didn’t want to show up late and be the one person who opens up the creaky auditorium side door, in the middle of the keynote. All eyes on me. I felt sick even thinking about it.

    Now I was wishing I hadn’t been early. I look like an eager beaver. My stomach turns.

    I look in the rear-view mirror, adjust my suit jacket (’cause nothing says confidence like a sports jacket). Add some lipstick.

    Still 15 minutes early. Add more lipstick.

    I check the ticket — yep. This is right. And it feels soooo wrong.

    15 years ago I attended my first WordCamp, and I still remember it like yesterday.

    At registration, volunteers were trying desperately to be heard over the crowd. Dozens of voices were calling out to old friends—or making new ones. It was an energetic, disparate bunch.

    The strangest thing, though, were the people in ripped jeans and worn t-shirts. If I had to guess, I thought to myself, those are the coders. Oddly enough, they were gracious and kind. They didn’t judge me or my sports jacket.

    Coffee and muffins were served. I was on my own. So I found a woman sitting on her own, by a plant. (Why do our brains remember the strangest things?) I asked if the seat beside her was taken, and I introduced myself. That was hard.

    The thing is — I do like people. But just one at a time.

    So a WordCamp might sound like a dumb idea for someone like me. But it was so worth it! I’ll explain.

    @john bollwitt That’s me with the red curly hair.

    The lady by the plant very kindly asked about my experience with WordPress. She was doing work very much like mine! I don’t remember much else, but it was nice to belong. It was nice to talk to someone.

    The next thing I remember are the classrooms: far more casual than the auditorium. I’m not sure how, but I found myself in a brainstorming session. Everyone was participating – except me, obviously. I’d rather have had balloons popped randomly behind me. But it did strike me just how much everyone felt comfortable contributing their ideas or chatting with their neighbor.

    @john bollwitt

    Even though I was the quiet one, I wasn’t ostracized! No one looked at me oddly, or expected me to talk. They just had things to say. They were happy about it. In a group, no less.

    And then there’s the lunch lineup. Is there any way to wait in line, looking at someone’s back, and feel less awkward? I doubt it.

    Just know that everyone else is also looking someone’s back.

    After I got my plate, I found an open seat at a table with some approachable-looking people. I asked some questions. I heard some stories. Some of the people I met that day became part of my network for the next ten years.

    That same WordCamp, I did meet some big names in our sphere. But the most important ones are the names you won’t recognize. They are using WordPress, running agencies, writing plugins, helping friends, and just trying to learn stuff. You’ll meet lots of folks just like you at WordCamp.

    @john bollwitt

    It was a herculean effort for me to go to a WordCamp.

    If you’re on the fence about it, I hope this encourages you to give it a try. You won’t find a nicer, more approachable group of people. They are ridiculously smart, but they’re friendly and welcoming, too.

    And here’s the important part: WordCamp was one of three events that propelled my WordPress Agency from struggling solopreneur to thriving agency.

    After that WordCamp, I had friends in the industry. It is definitely weird to meet someone once or twice and call them friends — but I kid you not, it happens at WordCamp:

    I was discussing all things WordPress with a lady I had just met. She invited me to her place between the conference and after party! I remember this vividly because she had one of the first little electric cars (this was 2010). I thought I was gonna die.

    Smart Car - 2010
    (Source)

    Know what else? I mentioned to a client (non-WordPress type of gal) that I’m writing this post, and she mentioned meeting someone in a WordPress t-shirt at a dog-walk in 2010. They started talking, and for a couple years they worked together on projects… They We are a ridiculously friendly bunch. I promise!

    Attending WordCamp as an Introvert

    I have no suggestions for introverts that will make WordCamp not hard. You will be exhausted. But… it is worth it!

    These tips worked for me — I hope they do for you too!

    1. Don’t worry about what to wear. You will fit in. No sports jacket necessary.
    2. Get ready to answer, “What do you do with WordPress?”, “Do you knit?”, and “When did you get started?”
    3. Know that lots of other people are just as awkward as you feel. Make an effort to help someone else feel at home.
    4. There is no cure for the lunch line. Bring a kazoo for attention. (I did not).

    Do you have something that worked your first time at WordCamp? Share with me — I need all the encouragement I can get!

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