Hello, friends!
My name is Katie James, and I am taking over your inbox today!
Christen has granted me the privilege of writing to you, her wonderful subscribers, colleagues, and friends, to tell you a little bit about me and the exciting collaborating we are doing together.
But first, a little “get-to-know-me.” I am a marketing and communications professional who has spent 15+ years in the non-profit, corporate, and church communications sectors. I am also involved with The Church Network and am presenting at their regional conference in October (come say hi if you’re in the ‘burgh!).
I am currently working at a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that serves nearly 9,000 children and families each year through in-home and community-based support services, therapies, and education. Many of the children we see have a disability, which makes accessibility one of the important components of my job. Not only do our physical campuses need to be accessible to people with disabilities, but our digital spaces must be accessible, too.
The Americans with Disabilities Act celebrated 34 years on July 26, and since this act was signed into law, we’ve been learning, growing, and adapting our physical and digital spaces to reach more people and provide accessibility equity.
Digital spaces are ever-changing. New rules, new platforms, new algorithms. Yet making sure your digital presence is accessible is one way to up your game and convince the Googles of the world that your content matters!
One repeating theme I’ve heard from the members of Christen’s classes is this goal: I want to reach more people. One thing I can help you with: making sure your content can reach those with and be accessible to people with disabilities.
Christen and I are collaborating on a class about accessibility in digital spaces coming up on September 12. Together, we’ll be talking about the web standards and guidelines for accessibility, plus providing easy, actionable advice to kick your digital presence up a notch! I guarantee you’ll be able to make at least one change that will improve accessibility in the very next email you send after our class.
I hope to see you on September 12!
Katie
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