Sharing My First Product Accessibility Evaluation For Reviewed Magazine

Hello again, With all the tragedy going on in the world these days, I hope you and the people you care about are safe and cared for.

I’m writing today to share some exciting news about my continued career as a contributing writer in the field of accessibility and inclusion.

You have probably heard me speak about the importance of inter-dependence. Which to me means the willingness to ask for assistance or opportunities and accept them when offered.

Being Pushed Towards Free Lance Writing

I bring this up because my free lance writing work is not something I ever saw coming. I didn’t aspire to write for other people, and I certainly hadn’t reached out to anyone asking for work.

In fact until my friend Pris Rogers at the Vision Aware Peers group reached out to me over five years ago, I didn’t even think I had anything to contribute to the disability community at all.

When the great folks at Audio Eye reached out to me on My Linked In account, they had to actually talk me into taking the job of creating content around online accessibility.

And when the guys at PHP Architect Magazine declined my speakers pitch by asking me if I would write a monthly accessibility column under my own byline; I was blown away.

So, I’m going along writing those articles and sharing them to my social media accounts. I was feeling really blessed.

Invited To Write For Reviewed Magazine

And then I get a message through Linked In from Chris Groux the Senior Editor for Accessibility at Reviewed Magazine part of the USA Today Network.

He is telling me that they have a team of people with disabilities who regularly review products to see if they are accessible.

He explains that they don’t have a visually impaired reviewer on their team; and that they want to know if I would consider joining them.

Even after all this time, I still couldn’t believe they wanted me. We both know I said yes because even when I am in doubt that is my default answer.

Then we went through the usual legal stuff of signing a contract, submitting a w-9, and submitting a direct deposit order.

I did have some trouble with the documents because even in today’s mostly online business world there are still some documents that have to have a physical pen on paper signature.

Choosing To Review Roku

Because of how long it took me to get set up with them, they wanted me to review something I already had or was planning on purchasing.

We decided that I would review the Roku Voice Remote.

My brother Patrick had bought a Roku TV for our living room, and I had liked it so much; that I had already ordered one for my bedroom.

My Writing Approach

I decided to write my review the same way I write everything else. Using a conversational style implementing the story telling skills that I am known and loved for.

And I have to thank Chris who is also my editor for his invaluable help in turning my manuscript into a more orderly even more compelling piece than I had submitted.

The article went live a couple of weeks ago, and I should have posted this before now; but I went a little overboard telling everyone about my huge new blessing.

Read It Here!

You can read my article here.

I do have to let you know that the great people at Reviewed will receive affiliate income should you buy any of the products listed in my article or in any other articles posted to their site.

They do not receive free merchandise. I was told that all products are returned to the manufacturers after the reviews are completed.

And there are lots of other great writers sharing their opinions on the accessibility of a wide variety of products.

While they focus on accessibility as it relates to their own disability, I urge you to remember that accessible products are usually better for everyone who will use them.

I hope you will check out some of the other posts on the site while you are there reading mine.

Next Up Braille Legos

I have received my next assignment. I will be doing a review of the braille legos developed by the The Lego Foundation whose tag line is a world of education through play.

They were developed as a fun entertaining way to teach braille skills while encouraging inclusive play among young people.

I don’t know when the post will actually go live, but rest assured I will let y’all know as soon as I do.

One thing I do regret about the Roku review is that we didn’t take any photos. For the Lego review I planned ahead and got my nephew Seth on board to take photos and help with videos if necessary.

I thought you might like to see the photo of me as I went to my porch to pick up the package with my new braille legos inside.

Saying Yes More

I hope this post encourages you to say yes more often.

Just because you don’t feel talented or don’t feel ready doesn’t mean you have to say no.

Sometimes all it takes is communicating your fears or uncertainty to the other person.

Most people are afraid this will cost them an opportunity, but usually it just creates an even better connection between you and the person making the offer.

I will probably never see myself as the talented writer and story teller that others see. But I can accept that they know who they want and would not hire me unless I was qualified to do the work they require.

See It As An Adventure

It may be harder saying yes when you don’t feel talented or ready.

It may be harder in the beginning. You may have to learn challenging new skills or face long-held fears.

But think about the adventure you will have because of all that.

I look forward to hearing your stories of saying yes. Take care out there, Max