Giving a Damn About Accessibility review

Our August 2024 read, Giving a Damn About Accessibility by Sheri Byrne-Haber, hit the mark. This short but impactful handbook for designers is packed with practical insight and makes complex concepts easy to grasp and apply.

What I loved

I loved the simplicity and the encouragement throughout. The book is a great reminder that accessibility is not just important, it is non-negotiable. It is useful, easy to share, and best of all, free, so there is no excuse for not reading it. Find the details on our Giving a Damn About Accessibility book page.

Friendly peer pressure for a good cause

I hope everyone in the book club is not just giving a damn about accessibility, but also spreading the word and making sure others give a damn too. Who doesn't love a little friendly peer pressure for a good cause?

On a personal note, posting about this book all month gave me a weird sense of satisfaction. Ranting a little, cursing a little, and calling out those who don't give a damn turned out to be oddly therapeutic.

Put it into practice

The book is a perfect springboard into the standards. Keep the WCAG 2.2 specification (opens in a new tab) handy, and if you work in design, our post on 7 core accessibility areas every designer must consider pairs nicely with Sheri's advice. Sheri's thinking on procurement also shows up in a later read, our Digital Accessibility Ethics review.

My rating: 9 out of 10

My only critique is that it is a bit short. For what it sets out to do, it is a solid 9. Thank you, Sheri Byrne-Haber, for sharing this with the world.

Join the conversation

Are you giving a damn, and helping others give one too? Tell us how you are spreading the word. Share your thoughts in the Accessibility Book Club LinkedIn group (opens in a new tab).