Disabled by their environment - Test.Bash() Manchester 2019
22 Jul 2026
I didn't realise how many of these I did in 2019! A bit rushed but less shaky.
This poem was performed at Test.Bash() Manchester at their 99-second talks. Go to 9:20 to hear me perform it.
This was inspired by Krissie Barrick’s talk at Accessibility Nottingham about a day in the life of a person with disabilities. Note: CP stands for Cerebral Palsy.
Disabled by Their Environment
This poem was performed at Test.Bash() Manchester at their 99-second talks. Go to 9:20 to hear me perform it.
This was inspired by Krissie Barrick’s talk at Accessibility Nottingham about a day in the life of a person with disabilities. Note: CP stands for Cerebral Palsy.
Disabled by Their Environment
There’s these people
With disabilities
Who want
To do things like you and me
Who need
The same things we do
But sometimes
They just can’t break through
Cinema
Tickets online
No forms for helpers
Ring on a landline
It’s a chore
For those with no voice
It’s a bore
No way to rejoice
Ask the smart speaker
What will the weather be?
I can’t understand you
You have CP
Social media
The whole world's communicating
Images without descriptions
Can be so grating
Travel apps
They just need to get there
But with no descriptions
Can they use a wheelchair?
Navigation
Get where they need to be
But poor tech
Means they can’t trust step-free!
But it’s simple
We have the solution
Tech could be great
If we make a resolution
Online Access
Is a human right
One we take for granted
Like day follows night
It’s illegal
Everybody knows
But most don’t care
Like bloody Dominos
Make great tech
Don’t be part of the confusion
Advocate
And ensure we have inclusion
Note: This was written while Dominos was fighting against a lawsuit to fix screen reader access
Note: This was written while Dominos was fighting against a lawsuit to fix screen reader access
Ady Stokes
Freelance Consultant
He / Him
MoT Ambassador. Currently semi-retired and freelancing. I am, amongst other things, a writer, speaker, and accessibility advocate. Leeds Chapter Lead. MoT Certs curator and article editor for WonderProxy. Testing wisdom, friendly, testing songs and poems. Great minds think differently. STEC and SQEC Certified. Struggling to write a book about testing mindsets and thinking's application in software development.
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