Working in accessibility can be tough.
I spent a lot of time pushing a change recently. But all I got was outright resistance and then slow progress. It wore me down.
I've sat in meetings where basic accessibility was treated as an afterthought. I've had to explain, again, why keyboard navigation wasn't a "nice-to-have" but essential. It's exhausting.
Lately, I've been running mostly on frustration and caffeine. I fear I won't have the patience to explain once more why keyboard navigation matters.
Here's what helped me:
- Set some clear limits. I don't answer emails after 6 PM. If the team ignores accessibility until the last minute, I won't rush to fix their oversight at the cost of my own sleep.
- I try to talk to people who get it. A colleague and I have a standing coffee chat where we vent and swap advice. It stops the frustration from festering.
- I step away properly from my desk. A break isn't just browsing Youtube or Bluesky. I take my dog for a walk. I take a proper lunch, standing down.
- I try to do something unrelated. I love cooking. For some reason, chopping vegetables forces my brain to focus on something else for a while.
You can't fight for accessibility if you're drained. Taking care of yourself today means you'll still be there to keep pushing tomorrow.