A chef doesn't cook for themselves. They taste, adjust and consider who's going to savour the dish. They can't ignore dietary needs or rush the seasoning.
A chef keeps their knives sharp, yes. But a sharp knife can't replace tasting the dish as they cook. Adjusting the salt for someone with hypertension, swapping an allergen without losing flavour or noticing when a texture might be difficult for an elderly guest.
I know I should keep my skills sharp.
But accessibility isn't just about knowing the guidelines. Accessibility is about understanding people. And if I'm honest, I don't always put empathy first.
Sometimes I cut corners too. I know I'm not just being lazy. The small choices add up and they leave people locked out of what I've built.
Instead of just ticking WCAG boxes, I'd rather listen to users with disabilities and design and test with and for them. I certainly care, otherwise I wouldn't be doing all this. But it's still a work in progress.
This weekend, I started reading Resistance and Hope: Essays by Disabled People. It's an intriguing read so far. It's challenging my blind spots and makes me want to build products more thoughtfully.
If I'm not constantly challenging myself and getting better, I'm just getting worse.