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[This post is cross-posted to my Wordpress blog. You can read the corresponding entry on Wordpress HERE].
Unfortunately, new Ravelry (“NuRav”) is given as the default browsing option and users must navigate NuRav to switch back to Classic Ravelry (which is also reported to cause issues, and may be different from true Classic Ravelry). This is not possible for some people. NuRav’s format is also used in email correspondence and is the default layout on mobile if a user is logged out.
Ravelry launched a survey on readability that was inaccessible to users who suffered neurological issues as a result of the site update. I took this readability survey and concur with other members of the community that it would be impossible to complete by someone who experienced neurological symptoms due to NuRav.
Community members, such as @stitchedinthemiddle (who is a UX and accessibility expert) made suggestions as to why NuRav's design violates the best practices of accessible design (see resources at the end of the post), and offered Ravelry free advice on how to resolve some of the design issues that are causing neurological symptoms.
Someone from the Ravelry team posted that they wouldn’t respond to issues about the new layout on the forums themselves and to contact Ravelry by email. Those who contacted Ravelry said they waited weeks for a response.
Finally, community members such as @lindsey_silveredgriffin received this email from Cassidy, one of the co-founders of Ravelry:
I’m personally disgusted and disappointed by Cassidy’s response as it erases the harm caused by NuRav and uses a single expert opinion to gaslight them. Doctors aren’t web accessibility experts, and can’t pin-point certain design elements or pieces of code that put users at risk because they’re not trained to see the difference.
Furthermore, I’m hurt that Ravelry can promote inclusivity without considering the needs of people with disabilities and neurological disorders. And I’m angry that Cassidy doesn’t appear to consider the people harmed by NuRav to be credible sources. I’ve been a member for 8 years and would never speak out against Ravelry without reason. However, as a migraine sufferer, I must stand in solidarity with the people harmed by NuRav and the team’s response and speak up.
Jessica, the other co-founder of Ravelry, issued a response to Cassidy’s email on the Ravelry blog HERE. (Please be careful about accessing this blog post).
In my personal opinion Jessica’s letter doesn’t go far enough to apologize for the harm caused by NuRav and Cassidy’s response. She spends the letter defending Ravelry and then throws Cassidy under the bus for her mental health issues which did absolutely nothing to restore my confidence in Ravelry or make amends. Nor does Jessica’s letter outline specific steps being taken by the Ravelry team to resolve issues with NuRav.
Today is August 2nd, and Jessica published her letter on July 30th.
I’m committed to using inclusive language, monitoring my own language and making my online spaces inclusive. I have provided attribution to others for the resources and commentary they provided, and used my platform (this blog) to amplify specific voices who’ve made notable contributions to the dialogue about Ravelry.
I deleted my stash and projects on Ravelry and am migrating them to my blog. I will not purchase or sell patterns on Ravelry or make contributions to the database, although I still access yarn information on Ravelry for the time being. I’m sourcing most of my patterns from Instagram and other social networks.
ko-fi
@lindsey_silveredgriffin:
Yarn Stash Keeper (Google Docs)
Needles and Hooks Keeper (Google Docs)
@stitchedinthemiddle:
Ravelry, Disability and Accessibility (Part 1)
Ravelry, Disability and Accessibility (Part 2)
Web Accessibility Resources List
ko-fi
Other:
Ravelry and Accessibility
My reason for writing this post is because some of you may be aware that about 6 weeks ago, Ravelry, a popular database for yarn crafters, updated their website. Many users reported experiencing visual disturbances, migraines, and even seizures after the update and from using Ravelry’s new interface. For several weeks, Ravelry did NOT provide a response to users’ claims of neurological issues. Instead, the Ravelry team locked threads on the forums that bring attention to the accessibility issues or blocked users from these threads completely.Unfortunately, new Ravelry (“NuRav”) is given as the default browsing option and users must navigate NuRav to switch back to Classic Ravelry (which is also reported to cause issues, and may be different from true Classic Ravelry). This is not possible for some people. NuRav’s format is also used in email correspondence and is the default layout on mobile if a user is logged out.
Ravelry launched a survey on readability that was inaccessible to users who suffered neurological issues as a result of the site update. I took this readability survey and concur with other members of the community that it would be impossible to complete by someone who experienced neurological symptoms due to NuRav.
Community members, such as @stitchedinthemiddle (who is a UX and accessibility expert) made suggestions as to why NuRav's design violates the best practices of accessible design (see resources at the end of the post), and offered Ravelry free advice on how to resolve some of the design issues that are causing neurological symptoms.
Someone from the Ravelry team posted that they wouldn’t respond to issues about the new layout on the forums themselves and to contact Ravelry by email. Those who contacted Ravelry said they waited weeks for a response.
Finally, community members such as @lindsey_silveredgriffin received this email from Cassidy, one of the co-founders of Ravelry:
I’m personally disgusted and disappointed by Cassidy’s response as it erases the harm caused by NuRav and uses a single expert opinion to gaslight them. Doctors aren’t web accessibility experts, and can’t pin-point certain design elements or pieces of code that put users at risk because they’re not trained to see the difference.
Furthermore, I’m hurt that Ravelry can promote inclusivity without considering the needs of people with disabilities and neurological disorders. And I’m angry that Cassidy doesn’t appear to consider the people harmed by NuRav to be credible sources. I’ve been a member for 8 years and would never speak out against Ravelry without reason. However, as a migraine sufferer, I must stand in solidarity with the people harmed by NuRav and the team’s response and speak up.
Jessica, the other co-founder of Ravelry, issued a response to Cassidy’s email on the Ravelry blog HERE. (Please be careful about accessing this blog post).
In my personal opinion Jessica’s letter doesn’t go far enough to apologize for the harm caused by NuRav and Cassidy’s response. She spends the letter defending Ravelry and then throws Cassidy under the bus for her mental health issues which did absolutely nothing to restore my confidence in Ravelry or make amends. Nor does Jessica’s letter outline specific steps being taken by the Ravelry team to resolve issues with NuRav.
Today is August 2nd, and Jessica published her letter on July 30th.
My Response
I stand in solidarity with the people harmed by NuRav and the Ravelry team. I believe people who report neurological symptoms from using NuRav, and I stand by people with disabilities.I’m committed to using inclusive language, monitoring my own language and making my online spaces inclusive. I have provided attribution to others for the resources and commentary they provided, and used my platform (this blog) to amplify specific voices who’ve made notable contributions to the dialogue about Ravelry.
I deleted my stash and projects on Ravelry and am migrating them to my blog. I will not purchase or sell patterns on Ravelry or make contributions to the database, although I still access yarn information on Ravelry for the time being. I’m sourcing most of my patterns from Instagram and other social networks.
Resources
@ktb38:ko-fi
@lindsey_silveredgriffin:
Yarn Stash Keeper (Google Docs)
Needles and Hooks Keeper (Google Docs)
@stitchedinthemiddle:
Ravelry, Disability and Accessibility (Part 1)
Ravelry, Disability and Accessibility (Part 2)
Web Accessibility Resources List
ko-fi
Other:
- AirTable is a powerful spreadsheet editor with a free workspace option. Useful for stashing and keeping inventory and can be accessed on the web/through an app
- Monday is a project manager that can be used to track progress of personal and/or business-related knitting projects
- Dreamwidth (this website!) is an alternative free blog website that lets users create and join communities
