I recently heard the term causing or making good trouble and the explanation around those words. I encourage you to learn about the value and necessity to cause good trouble in these two You Tube videos John Lewis and Drew Gilpin speaking: Fmr. Harvard president on how ‘Necessary Trouble’ brings change - YouTube and Congressman John Lewis Address-Harvard Commencement 2018 – YouTube.
I even noticed that tag on one of my accessibility contacts in their LinkedIn profile which I can relate to. That term highly resonates for me in a couple of ways since in my profession in accessibility I often cause good trouble by educating others on the reasoning for developing and designing accessible digital technology and techniques to accomplish this goal. Sometimes others receiving my message do not have time or do not know how to incorporate accessibility. Therefore, someone may believe it is easier to put off creating accessible digital technology. This only causes more problems when someone reports the issue. Sometimes the issue is escalated and then the owner of the digital technology needs to retrofit it for accessibility which is far more time-consuming and costly than if accessibility was incorporated into the planning stages. Developing and designing accessible digital technology also creates an equitable experience and environment for all people with hidden or visible disabilities.
I also cause good trouble when I report digital accessibility issues since I require the use of a screen reader to interact with digital technology in my personal and professional life after going completely blind in 1999.
Another outcome of causing good trouble for me besides increasing digital accessibility is the ability to affect other lives for the positive. By being asked to and having participated on the Board of Directors for a few organizations and was on the Business Advisory Council of another organization I was able to help others. I was asked to give keynote speeches, to participate in panels and webinars and to teach the participants in the meetings/webinars the value of accessible and usable digital technology and how accessible digital technology by default increases inclusion and equity. A potential benefit of educating others is that you may ignite a fire in someone to also go out and cause some good trouble to help others achieve equitable participation in life.
In addition causing good trouble to break the silence could assist others directly or indirectly by the skills and connections you may have to drive positive change. Also some individuals are overwhelmed with other higher priorities and do not have the time to participate in causing good trouble.
I also do not mind causing good trouble, when necessary since the trouble not only assists me at being included, it also assists everyone else who might experience the same inclusion and digital technology accessibility issues.
We must be leaders who speak out, love,care and assist others.
Do any of you believe you cause good trouble or have caused good trouble in the past? Have you noticed positive changes because of your willingness to cause good trouble instead of being quiet and allowing others to be excluded? Do any of you have any tips to encourage others to cause good trouble to increase inclusion, equity and accessible digital technology for all to experience a happy and healthy life with less stress due to exclusions?
In closing I encourage you to go out and cause some good trouble to assist others however please do not cause any physical trouble.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments. If you do have any comments please send an email to Bill Tipton since unfortunately the comments are closed to my blog site.
Bill Tipton
Contributing Author,
Global Dialogue Center
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/wdtipton
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