AFB Summer Interns Bolster Inclusion Across Digital Landscape
This summer, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) welcomed 19 college students who took part in AFB’s inaugural Digital Accessibility Bootcamp. Hailing from 15 colleges and universities across the country, the interns expanded their skills as software and content developers and paved the way for a future workforce that values digital inclusion.
“This bootcamp has been a wonderful experience, and I can confidently say that it is creating the people who will shape the future of digital accessibility, Said Andara Noble, a student at Western Colorado University. “I started this bootcamp with nearly no knowledge of digital accessibility, but as we’re nearing the end, I feel as if I’ve been educated enough to ensure that digital accessibility has a place in my future career.”
The latest program to launch under AFB’s innovative workforce development program known as the AFB Talent Lab, this newly revamped internship program provides hands-on experience in mastering digital accessibility best practices. Students also were mentored by accessibility experts. This, coupled with four of the 19 students also having lived experience as someone who is blind or has low vision, further deepened the cohort’s understanding of the problems that exist around digital inclusion and accessibility.
The AFB Talent Lab was established several years ago to bolster the next generation of accessibility-savvy software engineers who not only know how to fix problems but can also become evangelists for greater digital inclusion.
“The redesigned structure of the AFB's Bootcamp program allows us to reach more students and help them build a strong foundation in accessibility skills,” said AFB software engineer Syed Hassan. “By equipping them with these skills, we are bridging the knowledge gap to boost their career prospects while also playing a crucial role in building a more inclusive and accessible digital world for everyone.”
Hassan, who focuses on digital inclusion software development for AFB, also serves as the lead mentor for the interns. As a blind software engineer, he brings real-life experiences to the lessons learned for each intern.
“It's inspiring to see such strong interest from students in this field, and I'm very excited to be part of this program and contribute to shaping the next generation of developers and designers who prioritize inclusivity in their work,” Hassan added. “The impact of this program will reach far beyond the classroom as these students go on to create more inclusive and accessible experiences, and we’re eager to see how they apply the knowledge and skills they've gained during this summer.”
