Update to this post: Our vendor has been selected and our final fundraising goal has been set at $31,200. You can learn more about the entire project by attending The WPCampus Gutenberg Accessibility Audit session at WPCampus Online 2019.
Last month, WPCampus released a request for proposals to conduct an accessibility audit of the WordPress Gutenberg editor. This audit will help higher education institutions, and the whole WordPress community, make informed decisions about when and how to upgrade to the new editor.
We received numerous proposals and our selection committee is hard at work, reviewing and evaluating each and every one. We’re not ready to announce our selection, but we’re hoping to finalize the vendor and release an updated timeline for the audit soon.
We’re going to need your help to make it happen.
A professional accessibility audit is a large expense for a small nonprofit like WPCampus.
Accessibility is important to all of us in the WordPress community. We’re asking for your help to fund the audit and ensure this important research is completed.
Every dollar counts. If you’re willing and able to support this project, please consider donating.
Donate to fund the Gutenberg accessibility audit
Our initial fundraising goal
Here’s the awkward part: we don’t actually know how much money we need yet.
Each of the proposals we received approaches the audit a little differently, and each one comes with a different price tag. Until our selection committee chooses a vendor, we don’t actually know how much this will cost.
With that in mind, we’re setting a target fundraising goal somewhere in the middle, between the lowest and highest proposals: $30,000.
When we select a vendor, we’ll announce exactly how much the audit will cost. When you contribute, you’ll have the option of signing up for our newsletter, which will be the best source for updates.
If the final amount is more than what we raise, we may need to ask for more contributions. If we raise more than we need, we’ll designate the extra money for accessibility efforts like the following:
- Future accessibility audits (either of Gutenberg or of other parts of WordPress)
- Live captioning at our events
- Captioning all our recorded conference sessions and podcasts
- Accessibility professional development opportunities for WPCampus members
What you get when you donate
No fancy swag or Kickstarter-style rewards. But when the accessibility audit is complete, WPCampus will publish the final report, and any supporting documents, on its website. The report will be free and open to the public.
We’ll also post your name, company, or organization on our website to recognize and thank you for helping make this happen. You may also donate anonymously, if that’s your preference.
FYI: WPCampus is a nonprofit organization, but does not have 501c3 status. Your donation will not be tax deductible.
What happens next
We’re hoping to select and announce a vendor soon. Once that happens, we’ll update our fundraising goal and our project timeline. We’re still aiming to release the audit report by January 17, 2019, but that date may shift slightly as we work with the vendor.
Once the report is complete, we’ll be sharing its findings in as many different ways as we can. We want this to be useful for everyone in the higher ed and WordPress communities, whether you’re a designer, developer, manager, or content creator.
If that sounds useful to you (and we hope it does), please consider donating!
Donation form
The fundraising drive has ended. Visit the main audit page for more information.
This donation form is powered by the Give WordPress plugin. A big thank-you to Impress.org for donating a license.
Our Generous Donors
Saurabh Shukla
$11Why accessibility matters to me:
I like humanity.
CMS Web Solutions
$52Babs Saul
$11Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility should not be an optional extra, it should be standard. This is important.
Bet Hannon
$103Why accessibility matters to me:
WordPress is about making publishing and content available to everyone, including people who have disabilities. Accessibility and inclusion matters -- everywhere.
Mike Henderson
$11Stacie Arellano
Madison Area Technical College $11Why accessibility matters to me:
Focusing on accessibility improves the web experience for everyone.
Erjon Metohu
Eri Design $25Why accessibility matters to me:
At Eri Design, we care deeply about accessibility, and we want to do our part in making sure that every person can access the web.
Patrick Rauland
$10Christine Laikind
$25Why accessibility matters to me:
I am a deaf entrepreneur and speaker. As an advocacy speaker, I make the case not just for me but for others. The web is supposed to be inclusive for all - not exclusive. Today we depend on the "web" just as much as we cannot imagine being without our smartphones. We access our financial information, go shopping, get medical records or prescriptions, apply for jobs, order food and have it delivered, get education and so on - and when there are barriers or obstacles, it prevents access to opportunities and well-being.
Marcel Bootsman
nostromo.nl $13Why accessibility matters to me:
It matters to everybody
Fernando Tellado
$13Michael Torbert
All in One SEO Pack $1,030Why accessibility matters to me:
As developers of software with several million users, accessibility is very important to us. WordPress publishing should share the core value of inclusivity, and be available to all, regardless of physical ability.
Lauren Etheridge
$20Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility matters to me because the web is for everyone which means all people should have access to it.
Pressbooks
$200Why accessibility matters to me:
Pressbooks is committed to ensuring that our software is accessible to users and readers. An accessible editor is a critical part of this, and we applaud this community-driven effort to make Gutenberg accessible for all.
Mark Buskbjerg
$11Maddy Osman
The Blogsmith $20Why accessibility matters to me:
The internet should be free and open to anyone who wants to use it. We can always be improving on existing best practices!
Amanda Lundberg
$52Why accessibility matters to me:
I work with accessibility every day. You’d be amazed what people can accomplish when they have the same access to knowledge that many of us take for granted.
Micah Dailey
WPMU DEV $26Why accessibility matters to me:
I've been working on a podcast project, and on one of the episodes I spoke with a friend of mine who depends on assistive technology. In that conversation he spoke about how his disability becomes "less of a disability" as technology advances, and barriers are removed. I want to be somebody that helps remove barriers for others, and stands up with/for people who are in the margins.
Anonymous
$103Jeffrey Stevens
$15Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility ensures the web can be used by every person in our society. In democratizes information and sets a standard for which we all should strive for in a unified, caring society.
Rachael Kelly
$26Sé Reed
$100Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility matters to me because I want people to be able to participate and contribute however they can. We need everybody’s input to make something that works for everybody, both in WordPress and in society in general.
My question is, why doesn’t it matter to everyone?
shines & jecker laboratories
$258Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility makes better experiences for every user and code writer.
Craig Hyatt
University of Guelph $52Anonymous
$26Reaktiv Studios
$515Anonymous
$52Maryann Reissig
$52Daniel Messina
$11Why accessibility matters to me:
It's simply fundamental
Christina Hendricks
$26Why accessibility matters to me:
We all have various needs for technology to work so that it is accessible to us. It's just that for many people those needs are met but for some they are not. It doesn't make sense to me that that should be the case--why meet the accessibility needs of some (e.g., those with good vision) but not those of others? It's not like some people need something special to have technology be accessible; we all need special things for it to work but for some reason some of those become invisible as just "normal" needs and others seem "special." Also makes no sense to me.
Mike Kirby
$26Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility helps fulfill the promise of the Internet, making information available globally to all who want it, regardless of what personal accommodations they may require.
Daniel Spillers
$26Jayson T. Cote
GetWorkerFIT $103Why accessibility matters to me:
I’m a senior technology officer and WP developer, I work with many different demographics and target audiences where accessibility is critical. Information should be accessible no matter your physical or menta status or limitation.
Evan Mullins
$26Phil Barker
$21Danny Cooper
FontsPlugin $26Why accessibility matters to me:
WordPress should be accessible to everyone.
Peter Hebert
Rex Rana Design and Development Ltd. $35Why accessibility matters to me:
The web should be open to all people regardless of abilities - and everyone should have equal access to publish to the web.
Steel Wagstaff
Pressbooks $52Why accessibility matters to me:
There are lots of different humans in the world. I want to welcome as many of them as wish to be included into the spaces and tools we build and use online.
SkyVerge
$258Why accessibility matters to me:
Everyone should be able to experience the future of WordPress to the fullest and making Gutenberg more accessible is an important part of that.
Martin Dower
Connected-uk.com LLP $103Rachelle Soller
$11Renee Johnson
$26Why accessibility matters to me:
WordPress, the web, the world are better when all have access. Inclusivity is revolutionary.
Audras Jean-Baptiste
Whodunit $52Why accessibility matters to me:
As WordPress accessibility team reps, I'm deeply engaged in WordPress, Web Standards and Web Accessibility.
Joe Devon
Diamond $103Why accessibility matters to me:
It’s 2018. This should be self evident. Looking at popularity of frameworks, Wordpress accessibility would have about as big an impact as you can get.
Matt Graham
$52Why accessibility matters to me:
I’m a WordPress junkie, but not so much lately, due to the flippant attitude of accessibility in Gutenberg.
My son is blind. He has expressed that he wants to “work with daddy and build websites.” What are his options to work with his dad if the tools his dad uses aren’t accessible?
That, Matt Mullenweg is the “imaginary bar” that I’ve set for the 5.0 team.
Anonymous
$26Mark CIotola
$11Why accessibility matters to me:
1) I care about people with disabilities. 2) I believe universal design is good for everyone. 3) Accessibility is legally required for my university.
Alison Knott
Eraserheader Design $39Why accessibility matters to me:
No one should be barred from accessing information because of the shortsightedness of website creators, designers or developers. Everyone should have fair access. Period.
Jennifer McFarland
NC State University $78Phill Coxon
$11Why accessibility matters to me:
When we are fully enabled we often fail to notice the struggles that others face online on a daily basis. It's important we make the extra effort to understand and acknowledge our privilege and create inclusivity so that as many people as possible can access and effectively use online services.
Chris Teitzel
Lockr $40Why accessibility matters to me:
We believe the foundation of the web lies in its ability to level the playing field so anyone can do and create whatever they want. It's critical that we continue to keep the web accessible to keep that foundation intact. Our hope is that by making the web accessible, it can influence the offline world as well.
Brian DeConinck
NC State University $103DAWN PEDERSEN
Painted by Dawn $26Shawn Hooper
$26Why accessibility matters to me:
Ever since I saw two users with disabilities *attempt* to use a website I built in the late 90s, I've understood that we can do better in making websites that are accessible to everyone. Whether you have a permanent disability or are just temporarily disabled, you should have the same access to information as everyone else.
Roy Sivan
ARC CTRL, INC. & YouTooCanBeGuru $103Why accessibility matters to me:
#a11y matters to us because we dream of a web as we dream of our world, experiences open to everyone. Exclusivity doesn't have a place anymore in our society, Inclusivity does.
Dan Dulaney
$26Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility is something that is dear to my heart. My wife uses a screen reader to access the web, and the ability to build and interact without limits is something that should be available to everyone. As a developer, I want to be able to help provide that same experience to every user.
Pantheon
$2,060Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility matters to us because the importance of inclusivity is very important at Pantheon. We feel that everyone should have an equal opportunity to content and overall experience while on online and beyond. <3
Kathy Zant
$30Why accessibility matters to me:
The web is about accessibility of information, and the power of WordPress has been built upon these principles. Ensuring WordPress supports accessibility going forward is an important part of securing the platform in these principles.
Joan Concilio and Dan Herman
Technical Penguins $37Why accessibility matters to me:
We have a daughter with perceptual differences (autism) and it matters a ton that she can get information in an easy-to-understand way. We want to change the culture around accessibility - so that people see it as the right thing to do, not "the letter of the law" or "extra work," and about way more than just automated closed-captioning.
Steffen Dressler
11byt.es $26Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility makes sure that everyone can take part in the online world.
Bradley Allen
$11Jeremy Felt
$103Happy Prime
$258Why accessibility matters to me:
Building a web for everyone is the cornerstone of democratizing publishing. The first step to making information available is making it accessible.
Miles Elliott
NC State University $21Jeremy Butler
$25Mark Root-Wiley
MRW Web Design / Nonprofit WP $25Why accessibility matters to me:
We will never recognize the dream of a web that connects the world without including the needs of everyone in the products we build.
John Johnston
$11Why accessibility matters to me:
WordPress should be for all.
Michelle Schulp
Marktime Media $11Why accessibility matters to me:
It's an investment in the future of the internet.
Matt Ryan
$10Why accessibility matters to me:
The promise of the WordPress platform is that anyone can create and manage their own website. Therefore, WordPress authorship should not be limited to any particular set of people.
GravityView
$258Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility benefits everyone. WordPress should remain a leader in accessible publishing.
Anonymous
$103Lorna Campbell
$21Sara Clark
$26Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility is about making the world a better place where everyone can learn, contribute and grow.
Anonymous
$10Rich Tabor
ThemeBeans $26Why accessibility matters to me:
A more accessible WordPress (and Gutenberg) is better for everyone. As the leading website CMS powering millions of sites, it is paramount that WordPress is the bar for accessibility. And as a community, we have a responsibility to build for accessibility.
WPExplorer
$250Josh Pollock
CalderaWP $26David Ryan
Bluehost $30Why accessibility matters to me:
Internet access is a human right and modern necessity for most people. I support us the WordPress Community being informed about where we can improve to make the internet a powerful tool for everyone to make a difference and be heard.
Carleton College
$500Ned Zimmerman
Pressbooks $103Why accessibility matters to me:
Thirty percent of the web includes many differences in experience and ability, and the work we do building WordPress and the open web should strive to be inclusive of all!
Adrian Roselli
Adrian Roselli LLC $103Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility matters to everyone — injured, encumbered, distracted, disabled everyone. Accessibility in WordPress matters to my clients because some of their people require it in order to use the tool and therefore stay gainfully employed.
Robin Cornett
$52Why accessibility matters to me:
When I was navigating stores with three small children, stores which helped me with automatic doors, wide aisles, and shopping carts for a crowd often made the decision for me as to whether I could shop at all. As we create content and build tools for the internet, we should be doing all we can to ensure the best online experience we can for everyone.
Michelle Ames
$26Why accessibility matters to me:
I believe that WordPress needs to be available and accessible to every user.
Lori Packer
$52Rachel Cherry
WPCampus $103Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility matters because we should be working to ensure equal access to technology and information for all users. A focus on accessible technology also means a focus on a high-quality and highly usable web, which means a better experience for all.
Nate Conley
$26Kevin Hoffman
$25Joni Halabi
$21Jason Bahl
WPGraphQL $26Mike Little
$103Why accessibility matters to me:
As the platform that democratises publishing, we can't allow new features in WordPress to take that away from users with accessibility needs.
Sukil Etxenike
$26Kyrie Tompkins-Overlock
Overlock Design Co. $11Jason Woodward
State & Plain $52Carole Olinger
$52Why accessibility matters to me:
I care a lot about inclusion, accessibility and diversity inside the WordPress project and in general.
I help to create welcoming and accessible events for everybody whenever I can.
I am not a coder which means I can't really help when it comes to improving the accessibility of the software itself.
This is an opportunity for me to contribute in some other way to point WordPress in the right direction (again).
Mike Richwalsky
Gas Mark 8, Ltd. $5Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility is a basic human right, and especially technology, which touches so many parts of our lives.
Amanda Rush
Customer Servant Consultancy $50Pagely, Inc.
$1,030The WP Steward
$103Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility is human rights. And human rights are important.
Pgogy Webstuff
$258Why accessibility matters to me:
Hate to think of a world in which people are stopped from doing things because they've been overlooked or neglected
Bridget Willard
You, Too, Can Be a Guru $26Why accessibility matters to me:
It matters to me because I'm someone who a) uses keyboard navigation a lot (old-school secretary training) and I watch TV with captioning. Not only that, but I spend a considerable amount of time reading websites online (10-12 hours a day) and find many sites difficult to read even with my blue-tinted reading glasses.
John Hawkins
The University of Alabama, College of Arts & Sciences $26Paul van Buuren
WBVB Rotterdam $26Why accessibility matters to me:
I am not my user.
Anonymous
$100Catherine Derecki
$11Why accessibility matters to me:
Accessibility is at the heart of a free and open web.