Hey everyone and I’m Scott Savoy welcoming you to the first weekend of May.
I hope that wherever you are it is lovely and gorgeous.
For today, our president Donna J. Jodhan shares the following editorial with you and she wants to hear from you.
This is of grave concern to her!
Please send along your feedback and comments to donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
Happy weekend.
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The importance of independent testers
By Donna J. Jodhan
It continues to be a troubling—and frankly unacceptable—practice that many Canadian government departments persist in overlooking the value of independent testers, particularly those with lived experience of disability. The glaring example of the ArriveCAN app is just the tip of the iceberg. This high-profile project was developed without meaningful input from independent testers, leaving many to ask: How was this allowed to happen in a country that claims to prioritize inclusion and accessibility?
The Privy Council Office, along with various other federal departments, seems largely uninterested in harnessing the expertise that external testers can provide. Instead, the default response continues to be that internal teams are fully capable of testing for accessibility and usability. But capable according to whom? And capable for whom?
The central issue is this: How can any external consultant—or the public at large—verify that these internal testers actually possess the lived experience, knowledge, and insight required to understand and address accessibility barriers? Are these departments truly employing testers with disabilities, or are they simply relying on sighted staff with minimal exposure to accessibility needs?
It’s not enough to say “we tested it internally.” That answer no longer suffices—if it ever did. True accessibility requires diverse perspectives, especially from those who navigate the world with disabilities every single day. Without their voices, the risk is clear: we continue to build systems that exclude the very people they’re supposed to serve.
Independent testers bring more than just a fresh set of eyes. They bring credibility, impartiality, and real-world insight that internal teams often lack. Their involvement ensures transparency and accountability—two values that are supposedly foundational to public service.
The government’s continued resistance to independent testing reflects a broader issue of systemic disregard. Until departments open their doors to external testers with lived experience, we will keep seeing products that fail to meet basic accessibility standards—and that’s a failure not just of policy, but of leadership.
The time for excuses is over. Independent testers aren’t a luxury; they’re a necessity.
I’d like to leave you with the following for your consideration.
A high-tech software lab with a glass wall dividing two sections.
Left Side (Development Team):
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A team of developers is working intensely at their desks, with monitors full of code, diagrams, and flowcharts.
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One person is proudly deploying an app onto a server with a big green “Deploy” button.
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There’s a faint aura of tunnel vision — stacks of coffee cups, sticky notes everywhere.
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Optional: You can include a small thought bubble that says “It works on my machine!”
Right Side (Independent Testing Team):
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A separate team is in a cleaner, quieter environment — like a quality assurance lab.
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Testers are running the same app on multiple devices: phones, tablets, desktops.
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One person is holding a magnifying glass up to a mobile screen (symbolic for detail).
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Another is documenting a bug with a clipboard or digital tablet.
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There’s a screen showing metrics: “Security,” “Performance,” “Accessibility,” “User Experience” — each being actively assessed.
Symbolism / Visual Touches:
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A red bug crawling out of a computer on the testing side, spotted and flagged.
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A “Shield” icon over the testing team, symbolizing protection and quality assurance.
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A subtle blue glow surrounding the independent testers, showing objectivity and clarity.
Text Elements (Optional for Infographic Style):
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Title Banner: “Independent Testers: The Last Line of Defense”
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Taglines:
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“Fresh eyes catch what busy minds miss.”
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“Testing isn’t just checking — it’s safeguarding.”
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“Independence breeds objectivity.”
Image = In a modern office hallway with glass walls and natural lighting, three professionals are engaged in conversation. A man in a blue suit holds a cup and saucer while talking to two women, one of whom uses a wheelchair with red rims and has her back to the camera. The other woman, standing and wearing glasses, is dressed in business attire. The scene conveys inclusivity, collaboration, and a professional working environment that supports accessibility.
To learn more about me as an award winning sight loss coach and advocate visit www.donnajodhan.com
