SOFTWARE ENGINEER? YOU CAN BE A SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION!

Writing software applications to attract large customer base is no longer an easy task when whole industry focusing to adapt sustainability measures to improve their carbon footprint!

According to United Nation's Sustainability Development Goals (SDG), building digital technologies with optimized energy usage and reduced resource utilization are going to be a critical problem statement for organisations that serve customers through native mobile applications and websites.

In my experience, enabling one among the SDGs as "Reduced Inequalities" (Goal 10) is a key enabler to facilitate better for customers which is no longer an optional feature but a mandatory element within application development!

An estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disability that includes physical disabilities, arthritis, mental disabilities, vision impairments and not all the disabilities are visible hence supporting accessibility needs through KPIs are essential for any digital transformation.

Where to start Sustainability measures through Digital Accessibility?

Empathize with user base by enabling software engineers with accessibility simulators such as vision simulator, arthritis user gloves as first step! It was my first experimentation with hundreds of engineers to simulate user experience that resulted in greater results by adapting accessibility best practices in software applications. Cambridge Vision Simulator is a great tool to start developing empathy about level 1 vision impairment:

Enable software developers and quality engineers by experiencing different vision impairments such as Retinitis Pigmentosa, Cataract, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy and Hemianopsia using Eye Condition Simulators

A best simulator to arthritis can be procured from University of Cambridge Arthritis User Gloves

Accessibility Simulator Labs

UK Government established a wonderful simulator lab to empathize with customers with disabilities.

Similarly Facebook's Empathy Lab is really a best example adapt to enable engineers learning about different disabilities and need for a strong accessibility support across digital technologies

In my experience, I have enabled more than 200+ engineers to experience vision simulators along with arthritis user gloves in the last three weeks and finding impressive insights about accessibility experiences and defect prevention techniques for different disabilities to prevent any accessibility defects in native and web application development.

Enable Continuous Integration (CI) with Sustainability Tools

CI enable Green Development by adapting right sustainable solutions at each stage of application development. DevSustainabilityOps known as, DevSust(i)Ops in short as a latest trend to support United Nations' Sustainability Development Goals by enabling sustainable design, development,testing,deployment and reporting best practices -all through CI. Rightly chosen CI tools such as Axe-Linter, ESLint Plugins for website, iOS SwiftLint,Android AccessibilityChecks for native helps DevOps to adapt accessibility since 1.3 billion people experience significant disability as per WHO and DevOps play critical role in enable digital accessibility! But sustainability can't be achieved only with automation and CI tools-it needs a strong manual user experience checks with assistive technologies!

Establish Manual Checks with Assistive Technologies

Simulating real user checks to validate digital accessibility for enabling applications to support users with arthritis, vision impairment, ADHD diseases is important and it can not be done through any automation. While 15 percent of the global population live with disabilities, assistive technologies such as Screen Readers (JAWS, NVDA), ZoomText, Dragon Anywhere, iOS Voice Over, Android Talk Back are widely used but they are not adaptable through CI and they are recommended to be checked manually to simulate better user experience while developing applications-This is a known limitation to Devops CI tools but great test cases to find real user issues in applications while using such assistive technologies! Watch my latest post about the need for mobile voice over and talk back tests to identify critical software defects:

Attracting & Employing?Disabled?Talent

Recruiting talents who can help in facilitating user experience testing through accessibility checks are essential for organisations in the next ten years!

"In fact, companies that are keen on hiring disabled employees tend to outperform others, with profit margin around 30% higher, net income 200% higher, and 28% higher revenues. These companies are also 4 times more likely to enjoy higher shareholder returns.?"-Credits: celebratingdisability website

Designing, Developing and Testing applications with Accessibility Mindset helps developing a sustainable future for everyone since “Yaavarum kelir” as per the ancient text 'Purananuru' by Kaniyan Poongunranar

“Yaavarum kelir” means we respect all the people in the world as our relations. We pray for their well being and treat them equally(with better accessibility) and do no harm (with under developed digital technologies)

Better Accessibility Leads to Better Sustainability

Remember when users find it difficult to use the native or web applications, they tend to repeat the user journeys which cost more energy and resource usage hence increased carbon emission. Be while designing,developing and testing digital technologies which will help in increased customer retention and better sustainable future for everyone!

Learn through free courses online: Web Accessibility Mastery, Web Accessibility Testing Tools Training and Learn to write Web Accessibility Test Cases

Hope this monthly newsletter on Green Engineering Leadership is useful-please feel free to share your feedback and comments to understand further needs to plan for next monthly newsletter on !

Like this article? Subscribe to Engineering Leadership and Digital Payments Hub to enjoy reading useful articles.

Disclaimer: Contents, posts and media used in this account of the author do not represent any organisation of any sort. Under no circumstances will the author be held responsible or liable in any way for any claims, loss, expenses or liabilities whatsoever.