Jesse Gardner

Helping New York State build better products with accessibility and design systems. Director, Engineering @NYSITS — Formerly @simplyrecipes @amc_tv @foxcorp

[Jesse Gardner @plasticmind]

@rogie Accessibility? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Jesse Gardner @plasticmind]

a little madness now and then is cherished by the wisest men

[Jesse Gardner @plasticmind]

The problem with social media, or really any endless digital media consumption engine, is that it preys on our capacity for enthusiasm. Enthusiasm in daily life is a discipline, a habit of attention, curiosity, and investment that must be formed. The simulacrum we settle for has put us almost entirely out of practice at finding the real thing.

How can I recover from a diet of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor digital content? How do I find beauty in the ordinary? How do I move away from “what will interest me next?” to “what can I become interested in if I stay here?” A tree, a book, a walk with a friend, the way the grass moves in the breeze, double-digit multiplication with my children, the moment I feel like nothing much is happening.

I start with a decision: be curious, believe that something is worth my attention, then act on that belief by investing it. When I practice this again and again, my attention will become less fragmented and reflexive, more deliberate and sustained. This is how I hope to reclaim genuine enthusiasm in my life: not by being any less curious, but by learning again how to sit with something long enough to care about it.

[Jesse Gardner @plasticmind]

@elonmusk You sound like Kropotkin.

[Jesse Gardner @plasticmind]

@taylordunham_ This may seem a stretch, but it's pretty relevant: https://t.co/bV4S8xrzUF

[Jesse Gardner @plasticmind]

@danmall Good luck, @danmall! I'm currently building design systems at @NYSITS and sharing what I learn on LinkedIn!

[Jesse Gardner @plasticmind]

@hemeon Accessibility?

[NYS ITS @NYSITS]

Brains work differently. Words and designs that are clear and simple work better for everyone. #accessibility #ADA35

[NYS ITS @NYSITS]

Some people can’t use a mouse. Design for those who tab, type or talk to navigate the web. #accessibility #ADA35

[NYS ITS @NYSITS]

Sound isn’t always heard. Captions and transcripts make audio content work for everyone. #accessibility #ADA35

[NYS ITS @NYSITS]

Not everyone sees your site. Some New Yorkers use screen readers, magnifiers, or high-contrast mode. #accessibility #ADA35

[Jesse Gardner @plasticmind]

@DHSgov @WhiteHouse Here’s the Native American version of that picture.

[NYS ITS @NYSITS]

a11y is a commonly used shorthand for #accessibility (there are 11 letters between the a and y). #ADA35

[Jesse Gardner @plasticmind]

@Themanolife No, it means he used his fingers.

[Jesse Gardner @plasticmind]

@DaveShapi Sincerely,
Everyone with kids

[Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump]

Remember what I previously said--Obama will someday attack Iran in order to show how tough he is.

[Jesse Gardner @plasticmind]

I'll be at Code for America Summit and would love to connect with other folks in #civictech working to create better outcomes for residents by improving digital experiences. Excited to share about the #accessibility and #designsystem work our team is doing at NYS.

[Jesse Gardner @plasticmind]

@taylordunham_ @mds @rogie Not really an easy way. You can create a .url file that someone can download and run and it will open a url, but at that point, it's probably best to just create a doc with a big "Visit the hub →" link at the top.

[NYS ITS @NYSITS]

Nearly 1 in 4 New Yorkers lives with a disability. This #GAAD, ITS celebrates the launch of a Central Accessibility Team to help NYS build more inclusive digital services, by empowering the people who design and build them with tools, testing, training and everyday support.

[Jesse Gardner @plasticmind]

God grant me the serenity
To grieve what I cannot ignore,
The courage to fight off ICE agents
When they come for my neighbors,
And the wisdom to know that
Silence is complicity.