Columns

Here, you can read columns and think pieces from our staff, testers and invited columnists. You’re welcome to share them, as long as you share the source.

  • Summertime is here – accessibility is in the air

    Right now, accessibility is on everyone's lips. The combination of rapid and widespread digitisation, new legal requirements from the European Commission and a greater number of users who react to technology fatigue in the wake of the pandemic, means that the focus is on "our" issues. However, there is still some confusion about the key aspects EU legislation on accessibility.

  • When new technology supports the users

    Funka's Chief Research and Innovation Officer Susanna Laurin on technology that really provide support but still make people wonder.

  • Accessibility at a distance

    The main reason for conferences and meetings is, well, to meet. Speakers and panels are of course important, but quite often the most interesting conversations occur during the coffee break. This is hard to replicate when most events happen online.

  • Accessibility is moving forward – believe it or not

    Sometimes progress is hard to spot if you are in the middle of the whole thing. It might be useful to take a step back and reflect on all the different things going on in our business. The evolution is quite impressive, says Funka's Research and Innovation Officer.

  • Focus on elderly users

    Funka's CEO Susanna Laurin reports from a debate in the European Parliament and international standardization that deals with the inclusion of elderly in IT development.

  • Games for everyone

    Funka’s Danne Borell tells the story about computer games who add accessibility thinking in a good way and how the job as an accessibility specialist affects his whole life.

  • Thanks for another amazing year!

    Another year of accessibility work is coming to an end. Funkas’ Susanna Laurin writes about the importance of positive feedback and the need to give appreciation to those who do the right thing.

  • Observations from the big city jungle

    As more and more people use smart phones, some problems are also created by the users becoming too obsessed with what's on the screen, instead of paying attention to their surroundings. Raouf Sormunen, Accessibility expert with a special focus on assistive technology at Funka, urges all of us to lift our eyes and start talking to each other.

  • Sex in motion

    Ebba Myrsten, Partner Liaison and Test Person Coordinator at Funka, also works as a personal assistant. This summer, she participated in a camp with the topic of sexuality, function and norms, which caused many thoughts.

  • Accessibility of the future

    This summer, Funka’s Andreas Cederbom was invited as one of the speakers at the ICCHP conference in Linz, Austria, a research conference focusing on assistive technologies for persons with disabilities. He shares his impressions about some of the innovations that may be the assistive technology of the future.

  • Between hope and despair

    Monitoring and possible fines can be a driving force for accessibility. But at the same time, threats can mean that services are taken down. How do we make sure that legislation increases accessibility?

  • If I can get certified, so can you!

    Sandra Eriksson, accessibility expert with a focus on assistive technology at Funka, passed the written test for certification organized by the IAAP. She can now call herself a Web Accessibility Specialist. Here, she tells us about her exam anxiety.

  • Make sure accessibility is afloat

    Funka's Susanna Laurin sees similarities between working with accessibility and taking care of a wooden boat. Both activities require patience and the results can make many people happy.

  • If you order a digital service, you are a product owner

    What is actually expected of a product owner? Maria Ström, one of Funka's wise UX designers, reflects on the work process and collaboration between the person responsible for the project and the supplier.

  • How will life be in the future?

    Sweden has been a forerunner when it comes to user-controlled personal assistance for persons with disabilities. But this human right ensuring individual freedom may deteriorate. Funka's web editor Stefan Pelc, who is in need of personal assistance, is concerned about the uncertain situation right now.

  • Thoughts from a neurophysiotypical person

    Linus Ersson, Interaction Designer and Accessibility and User Experience Expert at Funka, reflects on what is considered beautiful or ugly according to norms, what fits into a certain context or not and how words can define us.

  • On the importance of noticing things

    Do you also take seemingly mundane things for granted? Emil Gejrot, Junior Researcher at Funka, reflects on the fact that no matter how well we think we understand how things work, there will always be something unconsidered, something gone unnoticed - and how all this can be applied to accessibility.

  • Overwhelmed by developments

    There is a lot happening on the accessibility front right now. Funka's Head of Analysis Andreas Cederbom reflects on what is going on, and why we do what we do.

  • Germany Inclusion Days in Berlin

    The International Day of Disabled Persons keeps us busy in all our markets. This year we contribute to the Inclusion Days program in Berlin, Germany.

  • It's time to put our feet down!

    A judicial precedent now allows for a tighter interpretation of the Swedish law on support and services for certain disabled people. This may mean that many people lose their right to personal assistance. Do we really want people to be denied a worthy life on equal terms with others?

  • Funka’s Torbjørn Helland Solhaug passes judgement on the Norwegian Prime Minister

    Elections for the norwegian parliament Stortinget just occured, and it is time to pass judgement on the norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, for the challenges given to her by Torbjørn Helland Solhaug, consultant at Funka, at her accession last term.

  • Funka profile of the month: Henrik Juhlin

    The employees at Funka all have a great commitment to social issues, even beyond the issues regarding accessibility. Some of our colleagues want to share their experiences, and the turn has come to Henrik, one of our skillful developers, who spends a lot of his spare time in local politics.

  • Accessible summer greetings

    As the sun glistens in the ocean, the birds wake me up in the early mornings and life gets a little easier once sunshine and warm weather turn our latitudes into paradise, a report on digitization makes me even more happy.

  • An important step towards a universally designed society

    In Norway there are hopes that the educational sector finally will have specific requirements for accessibility. Although this is important, there is still a lot of work remaining. Funka´s Torbjørn Helland Solhaug explains why we´re not ”there” yet even if the proposed legislation is passed.

  • Funka profile of the month: Peter Pettersson

    Many at Funka are very active in different issues in society. We are presenting you with one of our colleagues; Peter Pettersson, who has rich experience with non-profits, both professionally and during his spare time.

  • Imagine the difference one tiny ramp can make

    Stefan Pelc, web editor at Funka, has tested a ramp that bridges many problems with accessibility in the built environment.

  • Funka in the U.S.

    We are always interested in what is going on in our market. When two conferences on accessibility, gaming and assistive technology happens in the same week, the agenda is filling up.

  • The eternal question of cost

    Funka’s Susanna Laurin reports from an EU conference on accessibility and legislation in Brussels. The focus is, as usual, on the economy.

  • To recycle consultants

    Two of our very competent consultants have tried their wings with our clients and then chosen to come back to Funka. Naturally, we're very excited and we've asked Oskar and Karin to tell us a little bit about their experiences.

  • 10 years with the UNCRPD

    Funka’s Susanna Laurin ponders what we celebrate on the international day of persons with disabilities. Accessibility seems - more than ever - a moving target.

  • Funka profile of the month: Marcos Flores

    In Märsta north of Stockholm, a vibrant football club was founded by political refugees from Chile more than 20 years ago. The team is named Viña del Mar.

  • Where is universal design when the elderly needs it?

    Lena Drevsjø, Accessibility and User Experience Expert at Funka, wonders why universal design is not in focus when discussing inclusion of elderly in the digital society.

  • Why so many fail despite good intentions

    A chronicle by Hampus Sethfors, accessibility and usability expert at Funka. Hampus gives us his top three reasons why so many fail their accessibility work.

  • An international perspective on accessibility

    Funka’s Susanna Laurin is reporting on an exciting meeting of experts from all over the world, at the US Access Board in Washington.

  • Report from the European eAccessibility Forum in Paris

    The French association for the visually impaired, BrailleNet, arrange an annual conference on digital accessibility. The theme for the 2016 edition was the internet of things. Funka’s own Susanna Laurin is reporting from the conference.

  • When an automated tool replaces the consultant

    Andreas Cederbom, head of the analysis department at Funka, considers how technical solutions can replace experts and in what contexts it may actually work.

  • We see things differently but share the same feeling

    Funka’s Jessica Martinsson shares her thoughts on quality, problematic technology and different perspectives. You can learn a lot from being an in a printer room when things don’t go as planned.

  • The dangers of legislation

    An unsettling trend is happening in the U.S.: by using legislation as a battering ram lawyers are making money, but inaccessibility persist.

  • Both, not either

    Why is it that universal design is only applied to the built environment? In his chronicle, Torbjorn Helland Solhaug from Funka, argues for the massive impact of good digital solutions, seeing as how they improve the lives a great many people.

  • There’s hope for the future

    Susanna Laurin's reflections on the situation for people with disabilities face in the world today.

  • Gaining new insights

    Funka’s new Accounting Clerk Celina Beveridge reflects on her experiences after participating in an involvement exercise, something that all new employees at Funka have the benefit of undergoing.

  • Integrity and culture

    Funka’s CEO Susanna Laurin reflects on cultural differences between Spain and Sweden, personal integrity and how badly things can get, even when you try your hardest to do the right thing.

  • An accessible allotment

    A chronicle by Funka’s wheelchair bound Web Editor, Stefan Pelc, who shares his experiences in constructing an accessible allotment.

  • All I wanted was to wash my hair

    Problems that occur in everyday life can be annoying, but when they could have been avoided, it is downright frustrating. Why do we encounter so many bad products?

  • While we are enjoying it

    Funka’s Susanna Laurin considers trends in accessibility and the fact that we no longer have much time to reflect.

  • Assistive technology in small languages

    Joakim Centervik, Tester and Training instructor at Funka, describes in his chronicle what it is like to be the native speaker of a small language while at the same time wanting to use the latest in assistive technology.

  • When technology can make a difference

    Different safety and technology aspects are being brought up as arguments against e-voting, but these problems must be possible to overcome. Funka's Susanna Laurin takes some time to reflect upon the democratic perspective of e-voting and today's broad lack of accessibility.

  • The alarm is not enough

    Funka’s ideologist and accessibility expert Stefan Johansson gives a useful and simple tip on how to check the accessibility of your workplace. Just press the alarm button and see what happens.

  • Stop patting my shoulder!

    Funka’s Joachim Henstad has stopped talking about his visual impairment, with this exception. He has grown tired of encouraging words and patting on the shoulder. ”Everyone who knows me knows that my bad days does not depend on my poor eyesight”.

  • Are you breaking the law?

    Funka’s Torbjørn Helland Solhaug compares the reactions to two quite different Norwegian laws: The law banning smoking in restaurants, and the Discrimination and Accessibility Act.

  • The road to the labour market

    Glenn Ivar Husom dreamt about being a game developer for a long time. But when the dream died he still managed to find his vocation within interaction design and accessibility. Read about Glenn’s somewhat tortuous road to Funka via customer service extra jobs and the night bus from Oslo to Stockholm.

  • A mutual admiration society

    Funka’s Susanna Laurin questions why accessibility and user experience experts are so eager to talk to people with similar opinions. Would it not be better to let different views and opinions meet to bring about change?

  • Manual forms = triple work!

    Funka’s Torbjørn Helland Solhaug is amazed about how common manual forms still are in 2014.

  • Holiday = Disability

    Visiting new countries and places often involve a few challenges; language problems, cultural clashes or accessibility differences from what we are used to at home. Andreas Cederbom, Responsible for the Analysis Unit at Funka, has had time to reflect on his own disability during the holidays.

  • Sunny days, but no time to be lazy

    We look back at a hectic period and look forward to even more work. But first of all, we will enjoy the summer holidays.

  • Web accessibility – that goes for you too!

    Torbjørn Helland Solhaug is accessibility expert at Funka’s Oslo office. When he tells people about his work, the reaction is often the same ”Oh, internet for blind people!”. His chronicle is about why web accessibility is for all of us; if not now so definitely in the future.

  • Hacking a travel-app

    Hampus Sethfors' road to Funka went through a hackathon, a couple of butterflies and accessibility in public transportation.

  • Good for all...?

    Funka’s Susanna Laurin rejoices in the fact that design for all really works in our everyday life.

  • Accessible elks

    Funka’s assistant Joachim Henstad fights for better accessibility but gets beaten by the king of the forest.

  • Funka Christmas letter 2013

    Susanna Laurin, Funka, sums up a busy year. A year of continued growth, continued expansion in Norway and a new office in Madrid.

  • Why WCAG is not enough

    It is leaning towards legislation on web accessibility in the EU. Funka's Susanna Laurin takes a closer look at what the guidelines that almost everyone is pointing towards actually entail for the users.

  • Funka goes graffiti in Kosovo

    Funka's Stefan Pelc got an exciting assignment to go to Kosovo to inspire disabled young people to try graffiti. It was a journey with many impressions and lots of spray paint.