While attending and speaking at WordCamp Europe earlier this month, I had the opportunity to sit down with Nathan Wrigley and fellow Core Committer Joe Dolson to record an episode of the WP Tavern Jukebox podcast.
I’m happy to share that the episode, #174 – Joe Dolson and Jonathan Desrosiers on WordPress Accessibility: Core Commitment or Canonical Plugin, has been published.
One of my favorite parts of any WordCamp is connecting with thoughtful, dedicated contributors who choose to spend their time making WordPress better for everyone. I always enjoy crossing paths with Nathan (this was not the first time being on the WP Tavern Jukebox podcast) because he asks such thoughtful questions. And Joe is always high on my list of people to connect with. Our conversations consistently spark fresh ideas and renewed inspiration.
Accessibility as a Canonical Plugin
When Nathan first reached out, his intended topic was “should accessibility be built and provided through a canonical plugin or included in WordPress by default?” I’m not an accessibility expert like Joe, but I have written about why accessibility is important to me in the past. It’s also something I must consider every time I make changes to the WordPress code base.
While we did touch on the original premise for the episode a bit, we also spent a good amount of time discussing the many surrounding factors.
- Why isn’t the answer straightforward?
- What exactly is a canonical feature plugin?
- How do they fit into WordPress’s software lifecycle?
- How do they benefit users and the broader ecosystem?
- What limitations do they have?
- What are some examples of successful canonical plugins, past or present?
Figuring It Out Together
Oftentimes, there’s no single “right” answer. This is especially true when working on software that powers over 43% of the Internet. When you approach conversations with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to listen, they can offer immense personal and professional growth. They certainly have for me.
Collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to find the best path forward for our users remains one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
Have a Listen
Having an opportunity to sit down with both Nathan and Joe at the same time was one of my highlights of the event. Thankfully, there were microphones so you can hear what we talked about! Below are a few ways you can listen.
I hope you take away some new perspective, ideas, or inspiration away from our conversation. If you have any follow up questions, I’d love to hear them!
Featured image credit: Roberto Vázquez (source)
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