This week’s profile is Paul Adam – one of our Accessibility Consultants and Evangelists.
I’m an Accessibility Evangelist/Sr. Accessibility Consultant/Developer and have been with Deque for one year.
How did you find Deque (or how did Deque find you)?
While working as an Accessibility Specialist at the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services I heard Deque’s name brought up many times as Health and Human Services was considering WorldSpace/FireEyes a possible alternative to IBM’s Rational Policy Tester. Deque also sponsored some Knowbility events, like AccessU, where I presented. As a follower of the WebAIM email list I saw Deque employees ask and answer questions there. They also sent out a few job openings, which got me to send in my resume. I also knew that Glenda Sims started working there so I figured I’d give it a shot.
What is your favorite thing about working at Deque?
I get to use a Macbook Air daily. I hate Windows! I get to travel to accessibility conferences to present and share my ideas with the community. I get to test mobile applications for accessibility and do fun things like write accessibility blog posts and participate in #a11ychat.
What interests you about accessibility?
Working in accessibility is a feel good job. You get to fight for equal rights, help people with disabilities gain an equal footing in our ever evolving, technologically connected world, and meet interesting, open-minded people who share your passion for equal access to technology while providing you with a different outlook on the world around you. I love Accessibility!
What current topic/debate in accessibility that has caught your eye?
For me the most interesting area in accessibility has always been mobile. I always wanted to get an iPhone for its amazing mobile web browser and after touring the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and hearing from our tour guide that the iPhone 3GS was accessible to the blind, I was hooked! To me the freedom to not be tethered to your computer or cubical is truly empowering and even more so for people who rely on assistive technology for business and personal communication and commerce. Mobile phones and assistive technologies allow us all to get off the computer and interact with the world around us while still being connected to the digital tools that make our lives easier like the web, maps, music, calendars, notes, reminders, and email. Apple’s iPhone made me realize that the future is mobile, PCs are the past, and including accessibility on the device at no extra charge is the only ethical solution.
Album: Marilyn Manson – Antichrist Superstar
Movie: Goodfellas
Book: Stephen King – The Dark Tower
Luxury item: Crossbow