Accessibility is More Than Disability Accommodation

For WordPress and the WordPress ecosystem to be truly accessible, it has to be available to everyone. When we talk about accessibility, we do mean accessible to those with disabilities (and we often focus on screen readers, etc.). But what if I told you that people in the BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergent, and even older communities (like me), often find the way to success paved with roadblock after roadblock? And just like the tales of our parents and grandparents “it’s uphill both ways.”

This talk will bring forth the struggles that people in our community experience in finding success, as well as ways we can all be advocates for one another, and make room at the table for all.

Speaker

By Michelle Frechette

Michelle Frechette is the Director of Community Engagement for StellarWP at Liquid Web. Michelle was called "The busiest woman in WordPress," by Matt Mullenweg at WCUS 2022. In addition to her work at StellarWP, Michelle is the Podcast Barista at WPCoffeeTalk.com, cofounder of underrepresentedintech.com, creator of WPSpeakers.com creator of wpcareerpages.com, the Executive Director at PostStatus.com, co-host of the WPMotivate podcast, co-host of the Audacity Marketing podcast, host of the WP Constellations podcast, author, and a frequent organizer and speaker at WordPress events. Michelle lives outside of Rochester, NY where she’s an avid nature photographer. You can learn more about Michelle at meetmichelle.online. Director of Community Engagement at StellarWP Director of Community Relations at Post Status Creator of WPCareerPages.com and WPSpeakers.com Organizer: WordCamp US 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Organizer, WordCamp Europe 2022 Organizer: WordCamp Buffalo 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023 Organizer: WordCamp Rochester 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, 2024 Organizer: Rochester WordPress User Meetup Organizer: WordFest Live 2021, 2022 Organizer: WP Career Summit 2022 WordCamp Mentor WordPress Photo Team Podcaster: WPCoffeeTalk.com, Underrepresented In Tech, WPMotivate, WP Constellations Speaking History: (2024) WordCamp Asia; WordCamp Montclair; WordCamp Canada. (2023) WordCamp Asia; WordCamp Phoenix; WordCamp Europe; WordCamp Montclair; WordCamp Buffalo; WPCampus; WordCamp Rochester, WordCamp Montreal. (2022) WordCamp Montclair; Atarim Digital Agency Summit. (2021) WordCamp India; WordCamp Northeast Ohio; WordCamp Santa Clarita Valley, WordCamp Taiwan. (2020) WordCamp Miami; WordCamp Kent; WordCamp Denver. (2019) WordCamp Buffalo (keynote); WordCamp Hamilton; WordCamp Kent (keynote); WordCamp Ottawa; WordCamp Montreal, WordCamp Rochester; WordCamp Niagara. (2018) WordCamp San Diego; WordCamp Buffalo; WordCamp St. Louis; WordCamp Kent, WordCamp Boston, WordCamp Hamilton, WordCamp Rochester, WordCamp Montreal. (2017) WordCamp Portland, Maine; WordCamp Ottawa; WordCamp Montreal, WordCamp Toronto, WordCamp Providence, WordCamp Rochester. (2016) Hiring Your New Superintendent: Process, Stakeholders, and Applicants, Oh My!, New York State School Boards Association Annual Convention and Tradeshow in Buffalo, NY; The Hidden Features of WordPress, WordCamp Buffalo, WordCamp Ottawa, WordCamp Toronto, WordCamp Pittsburgh; Writing Better Email, Genesee Valley BOCES District Clerks Conference; (2015). Effective School Board Study Sessions, New York State School Boards Association’s Annual Convention and Tradeshow in New York City, NY; (2010). Board Self-Evaluation - How Are We Doing? New York State School Boards Association’s Annual Convention and Tradeshow in New York City, NY; (2013-2016) Rochester Business Alliance/Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce: Customer Service, Writing, Business Communication, Presentation Skills, Listening Your Way to Increased Productivity.