In 2008, banks and mortgage lenders "hoped" that housing prices would continue to rise indefinitely.
Instead of doing due diligence and having proper risk assessment, they simply hoped borrowers could refinance when adjustable rates increased. When the housing bubble burst, this hope-based strategy led to a global economic meltdown, with millions losing their homes and jobs.
Hope isn't a sound plan.
I had to sit through quite a few meetings hearing people say they "hoped" to make things more accessible in the future.
"We hope to address accessibility in the next update."
"We hope it works for everyone."
"We hope no one complains."
That hope never materialised into much.
Real accessibility requires deliberate action on their part:
- Build it into designs from day one
- Test it with actual users with disabilities
- Set specific, measurable targets
- Assign responsibility and accountability
But what's really driving me nuts?
When hope doesn't pan out, I hear complaints how accessibility is difficult and expensive.
The thing is that making it accessible from the start costs dramatically less than slapping it on later.
Hope is not a plan. What's yours?