Copilot. Building an Accessible Future
Mar28

Copilot. Building an Accessible Future

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will have heard talk of Microsoft Copilots. These are the generative AI driven assistants and aids that are appearing in about all Microsoft products and have even got their own dedicated key on our keyboards (so long Office key!). What I want to do here is take a look at how Copilot is building an Accessible future – today! The post Copilot…. Continue Reading Mike’s...

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GPPB ’24 Special Edition [A to Z a11y]
Feb27

GPPB ’24 Special Edition [A to Z a11y]

This special edition post is for the GPPB ’24 event. I was asked to speak at the Orlando event but the session could not be played. So here’s the full A to Z video in all its glory for your enjoyment! The post GPPB ’24 Special Edition [A to Z a11y] appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog GPPB ’24 Special Edition [A to Z a11y] – Hart of the Midlands This...

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One Size Fits One
Feb22

One Size Fits One

Step inside to O2 tailoring where we know that One Size Fits One. This is an extra post for the letter O in the A to Z Accessibility: Power Platform Edition. The post One Size Fits One appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog One Size Fits One – Hart of the Midlands Step inside to O2 tailoring where One Size Fits One. This is a bonus post for O in the A to Z Accessibility: Power...

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Overflowing with content
Feb20

Overflowing with content

Howdy reader and welcome to the first O in the A to Z Accessibility: Power Platform Edition. In this article we are Overflowing with content, or rather talking about what to do when we are. The post Overflowing with content appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog Overflowing with content – Hart of the Midlands Welcome to the 1st O in the A to Z Accessibility: Power Platform...

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What’s in a Name? [A to Z a11y]
Feb15

What’s in a Name? [A to Z a11y]

Here we are in N – “what’s in a Name?”, part of the A to Z of Accessibility: Power Platform Edition. In this post we’ll be looking at the importance of Naming in what we develop and build. We’ll consider why naming is vital for accessibility and why it is just good dev practice. The post What’s in a Name? [A to Z a11y] appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s...

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Menus [A to Z a11y]
Feb13

Menus [A to Z a11y]

Welcome, honoured guest, to the midway point in the A to Z Accessibility: Power Platform Edition. Today we are looking at Menus. I’m talking hamburgers, stacks, waffles, and more. Are you drooling like Homer Simpson yet? The post Menus [A to Z a11y] appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog Menus [A to Z a11y] – Hart of the Midlands Welcome to the midway point in the A to Z...

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MVP Diaries and Mental Health
Feb08

MVP Diaries and Mental Health

A short while ago I was invited by Angeliki Patsiavou to take part in an amazing blog series she is doing. The series asks MVPs questions about their MVP journeys and about them as people, along with some fun questions in there as well. The post MVP Diaries and Mental Health appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog MVP Diaries and Mental Health – Hart of the Midlands I was...

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Laying it all out [A to Z a11y]
Feb06

Laying it all out [A to Z a11y]

Big Box, Little Box, Cardboard Box What’s in the Box? I just had to get that reference in there somehow! It is quite relevant here though. In this A to Z a11y post we look at Layout Containers. How they can be an aid, or a hinderance, to accessibility. We also look at how laying […] The post Laying it all out [A to Z a11y] appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog Laying it...

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Keyboard Warriors [A to Z a11y]
Feb01

Keyboard Warriors [A to Z a11y]

A long time ago… When I was a lad a mouse was something that went “squeak” and you definitely didn’t want on your desk. Keyboard Warriors were people who could type, code, and make computers bend to their every whim. Not the cowardly so-called keyboard warriors of today who spew bile, but true magicians. OK, […] The post Keyboard Warriors [A to Z a11y] appeared first on Hart of the… Continue Reading...

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Jump! [A to Z a11y]
Jan30

Jump! [A to Z a11y]

Epic riffs and dancing Prime Ministers? Nope… Welcome to the J of the A to Z Accessibility: Power Platform Edition, and this one is all about Jump! Those who enjoy music or Christmas romantic comedies may be hearing epic riffs or picturing Hugh Grant dancing through No.10 Downing Street. If you are more O/G about […] The post Jump! [A to Z a11y] appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article...

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Images [A to Z a11y]
Aug28

Images [A to Z a11y]

“A picture is worth a thousand words” – Napoleon. Or maybe a Japanese proverb. Or even coined by members of the press. The origin isn’t important (most people say Napoleon), the quote is. What if you can’t see the image and you rely on Screen Readers? Let’s explore as we dive into I in the A to Z of Accessibility – Images. The post Images [A to Z a11y] appeared first on Hart of the Midlands....

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HELP! [A to Z a11y]
Aug22

HELP! [A to Z a11y]

Here we are at H in the A to Z Accessibility: Power Platform Edition. This one is all about using song titles… sorry, I mean HELP! It’s also the cry that can be heard by users all across the tech world. When it comes to accessibility though, help can make or break adoption and make a massive difference. The post HELP! [A to Z a11y] appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog...

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GDS, EAA, ADA and more [A to Z a11y]
Aug12

GDS, EAA, ADA and more [A to Z a11y]

Welcome to the letter G in the A to Z of Accessibility: Power Platform Edition. Here we will take a look at a veritable alphabet soup of accessibility with GDS, EAA, ADA and more. These are some of the regulations, legislations, and design requirements that exist across different geographic regions and impact organisations working in these regions. The post GDS, EAA, ADA and more [A to Z a11y]… Continue Reading Mike’s...

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What the F…ont [A to Z a11y]
Aug12

What the F…ont [A to Z a11y]

Call them Fonts or call them Typefaces I’m not precious, but these along with the way we apply Formatting to our text make a massive difference to our Accessibility goals. The post What the F…ont [A to Z a11y] appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog https://hartofthemidlands.co.uk/2023/08/what-the-font-a-to-z-a11y/ Blog Syndicated with Mike’s...

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The Evolution Experience [A to Z a11y]
Jul25

The Evolution Experience [A to Z a11y]

This episode of A to Z of Accessibility is for The Evolution Experience. This section could be easily have been dubbed “Progress Over Perfection” but I wanted to get this in early on so I could encourage and exhort you all to embark upon the expedition that is Accessibility. This article is not tech specific so applies to everything. The post The Evolution Experience [A to Z a11y] appeared… Continue Reading...

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The Dark Mode comes [A to Z a11y]
Jul18

The Dark Mode comes [A to Z a11y]

Welcome, reader. I’m looking forward to continuing your training. This is the A to Z Accessibility: The Dark Side comes post! Question: Are you a Dark Mode-r or a firm adherent to the Light Mode? Well, here at the Letter D I’m here to explore both – and neither. The post The Dark Mode comes [A to Z a11y] appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog A to Z Accessibility:...

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The Creators Kit [A to Z a11y]
Jul14

The Creators Kit [A to Z a11y]

Welcome to A to Z Accessibility – Power Apps Edition. This post is about the letter C and the Creators Kit! This article applies to Power Apps. The post The Creators Kit [A to Z a11y] appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog A to Z Accessibility: The Creators Kit – Hart of the Midlands Welcome to A to Z Accessibility: The Creators Kit! This article is about Power Apps and...

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Colours Everywhere! [A to Z a11y]
Jul11

Colours Everywhere! [A to Z a11y]

So here we are at C in the A to Z of Accessibility – Power Platform Edition. In this first “C” post I want to look at the use of Colours, colours everywhere! This applies to all areas of the Power Platform, yup even Dataverse. It also applies to anywhere that colour is used, so definitely one to pay attention to! The post Colours Everywhere! [A to Z a11y] appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading...

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Borders Without Boundaries [A to Z a11y]
Jul04

Borders Without Boundaries [A to Z a11y]

Welcome to the letter B in the A to Z of Accessibility: Power Apps Edition. This post is about Borders without Boundaries. Including: control borders and table borders. Applies to: Power Apps, Power Pages, Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc The post Borders Without Boundaries [A to Z a11y] appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog A to Z Accessibility: Borders without Boundaries – Hart...

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An ARIA to Accessible Text [A to Z a11y]
Jun27

An ARIA to Accessible Text [A to Z a11y]

Welcome to the first post in my A to Z of Accessibility – Power Platform Edition. In this post I will be presenting an ARIA and talking about Accessible Text. ARIA is especially applicable to Power Pages but the concepts apply to all areas of the Power Platform. Accessible Text is especially relevant to Power Apps, Power BI and Power Pages. The post An ARIA to Accessible Text [A to Z a11y]… Continue Reading Mike’s...

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The A to Z of Accessibility – Power Platform
Jun22

The A to Z of Accessibility – Power Platform

Welcome to the A to Z of Accessibility – Power Platform. Covering all areas of the Power Platform plus wider areas of Microsoft 365 and more. The post The A to Z of Accessibility – Power Platform appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog The A to Z of Accessibility – Power Platform – Hart of the Midlands Hart of the Midlands is the home of Mike Hartley,...

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Episode 1×5 – Malin Martnes – Are you sitting comfortably?

We're BACK! With a much delayed episode featuring the AMAZING Malin Martnes – the first and ONLY Microsoft MVP for Dynamics 365 Talent!This is a monster episode but there is so much great content here that it would have been wrong to try to edit it down. So grab yourself a cuppa, some comfy slippers, and settle in to your cozy chair… or go for a long walk… or something that will take about an hour. In this...

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Episode 1×05 – Are you sitting comfortably? – YouTube
Apr21

Episode 1×05 – Are you sitting comfortably? – YouTube

Episode 1×05 – Are you sitting comfortably? We’re BACK! With a much delayed episode featuring the AMAZING Malin Martnes – the first and ONLY Microsoft MVP for Dynamics 365 Talent! This is a monster episode but there is so much great content here that it would have been wrong to try to edit it down. So grab yourself a cuppa, some comfy slippers, and settle in to your cozy chair… or go for a long walk…...

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Me and Accessibility, the true beginning.
Jan15

Me and Accessibility, the true beginning.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve become very vocal about Accessibility and usually show my journey as starting with a conversation and a pint in a pub. In recent months I’ve started to accept that the true beginning for me began long before then, and I’ve simply been running from the truth. The post Me and Accessibility, the true beginning. appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s...

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Review: Microsoft Surface Adaptive Kit
Dec31

Review: Microsoft Surface Adaptive Kit

Back in late September, Microsoft announced the launch of the Microsoft Surface Adaptive Kit. Of course, I made sure I had ordered one for release day! Read on for my thoughts after a few weeks of use. The post Review: Microsoft Surface Adaptive Kit appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog Review: Microsoft Surface Adaptive Kit Back in late September, Microsoft announced the launch of...

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Power Apps, Accessibility, and WCAG
Sep18

Power Apps, Accessibility, and WCAG

Introduction – What lies ahead I have been talking about Accessibility for a while now, and often link this to DELIVERY rather than BUILD. In this post, “Power Apps, Accessibility, and WCAG”, I’m going to bring all this together. I’m also going to tie it in to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) around colour […] The post Power Apps, Accessibility, and WCAG appeared first on Hart…...

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Accessibility at the door
Sep09

Accessibility at the door

Two things happened recently that really made me realise that we need to ensure that there is Accessibility at the door. What do I mean by that, and how do we rectify it? I’m glad you asked! A licence to nothing The first incident was when installing Printer Drivers on my PC. Printers are the […] The post Accessibility at the door appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog...

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Episode 1×04 – It’s Good To Talk – YouTube
Jul23

Episode 1×04 – It’s Good To Talk – YouTube

Episode 1×04 – It’s Good To Talk In this episode we are joined by Carl Cookson (https://twitter.com/LinkeD365) where we talk, very openly, about depression. Carl is a fantastic person, and builder of some amazing tools that are available in XrmToolBox as well as being a blogger, speaker, and heavily involved in the Microsoft Community and Dynamics / Power Platform User Groups. Here he speaks candidly about his...

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Episode 1×4 – Carl Cookson – It's Good To Talk!

In this episode we are joined by Carl Cookson (https://twitter.com/LinkeD365) where we talk, very openly, about depression.Carl is a fantastic person, and builder of some amazing tools that are available in XrmToolBox as well as being a blogger, speaker, and heavily involved in the Microsoft Community and Dynamics / Power Platform User Groups. Here he speaks candidly about his experiences and his methods of coping. With Mike &...

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A dyslexic and dyspraxic’s guide to accessibility
Jul09

A dyslexic and dyspraxic’s guide to accessibility

What does day-to-day accessibility look like? Join Ashley Graham-Brown as they share about their life in “A dyslexic and dyspraxic’s guide to accessibility” (from Scottish Summit 2021) The post A dyslexic and dyspraxic’s guide to accessibility appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog A dyslexic and dyspraxic’s guide to accessibility What does day-to-day...

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Creating a More Inclusive workplace
Jul08

Creating a More Inclusive workplace

It’s easy to talk about what a more inclusive workplace should be, but how do we go about creating such a place? At Scottish Summit 2021 Zoe Wilson delivered a great session on this very subject! Zoe is a passionate advocate for Accessibility in the workplace, and in everyday life. Having her speak about this […] The post Creating a More Inclusive workplace appeared first on Hart of the… Continue Reading Mike’s...

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Programming for Accessibility

The Accessibility track at Scottish Summit 2021 covered so many topics throughout the day. The session “Programming for Accessibility” by Rory Preddy was an amazing look at both living with accessibility requirements, and how to include accessibility in our thinking when programming applications. Rory was introduced to me via Hector Minto when we were having […] The post Programming for… Continue Reading...

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Power Apps – Instant Accessibility using a Theming Template
Jul07

Power Apps – Instant Accessibility using a Theming Template

Continuing my look at the Scottish Summit 2021 Accessibility track. One of the standout sessions was the “Instant Accessibility using a Theming Template” in Power Apps talk by Sancho Harker. I first came across Sancho when he delivered a talk at Microsoft Ignite The Tour London in 2020 (just before lockdown). Like this one from […] The post Power Apps – Instant Accessibility using a Theming… Continue...

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Windows 11 and Power Apps
Jul02

Windows 11 and Power Apps

What does the Windows 11 Preview mean for Power App design? There are some interesting possibilities in the new UX/UI. Allow me to explain ? The post Windows 11 and Power Apps appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog Windows 11 and Power Apps What does the Windows 11 Preview mean for Power Apps? There are some interesting possibilities in the new UX and UI that could improve user...

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Mental Health Check
Jun29

Mental Health Check

How are you doing? Take a minute and think about that question before answering to yourself, and then be honest with yourself. This past year has been, to reuse an overused word, unprecedented. We’ve been faced with a global health crisis, and that has in turn led to mass changes in our way of lives […] The post Mental Health Check appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog...

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Episode 1×03 – Emma D’Arcy – You Belong! – YouTube
Jun12

Episode 1×03 – Emma D’Arcy – You Belong! – YouTube

Episode 1×03 – Emma D’Arcy – You Belong! Do you ever find yourself thinking that you don’t belong, that you shouldn’t be doing what you’re doing? How often do you wonder if you should just slink away off into the shadows and let “the experts” do it? If you’re anything like me (Mike) then you do this probably more than once an hour – yes really. This is an example of a...

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Episode 1×3 – Emma D'Arcy – You Belong!

Do you ever find yourself thinking that you don't belong, that you shouldn't be doing what you're doing? How often do you wonder if you should just slink away off into the shadows and let "the experts" do it?If you're anything like me (Mike) then you do this probably more than once an hour – yes really. This is an example of a form of Imposter Syndrome – and you'd be surprised just how...

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Accessibility as a Deliverable?
Apr26

Accessibility as a Deliverable?

For Microsoft, a core part of how accessibility is being managed throughout their DNA is by treating Accessibility as an actual project goal and requirement. Watch Microsoft Accessibility Evangelist Hector Minto from Scottish Summit 2021 as he talks about Digital Inclusion and Accessibility as a Deliverable. The post Accessibility as a Deliverable? appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their...

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Episode 1×02 – Dona Sarkar – Diversity & Inclusion – YouTube
Apr13

Episode 1×02 – Dona Sarkar – Diversity & Inclusion – YouTube

Episode 1×02 – Dona Sarkar – Diversity & Inclusion In this episode of The Things We Don’t Talk About we are once again grateful to be joined by Dona Sarkar (@DonaSarkar) as we discuss Diversity & Inclusion. In this episode of The Things We Don’t Talk About we are once again grateful to be joined by Dona Sarkar (@DonaSarkar) as we discuss Diversity & Inclusion. source

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Episode 1×2 – Dona Sarkar – Add Another Seat At The Table

In this episode of The Things We Don't Talk About we are once again grateful to be joined by Dona Sarkar (@DonaSarkar) as we discuss Diversity & Inclusion.Join us as we take a broad look at the topic, and learn to Add Another Seat At The Table. Continue Reading Alison Mulligan & Mike Hartley’s Article on their blog No Title No Description Blog Syndicated with Alison Mulligan & Mike Hartley’s...

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So much to learn, so many teachers
Apr05

So much to learn, so many teachers

I started my self-learning journey into the world of Accessibility in the middle of 2020. If I’m completely honest I was very naive and did not understand what was behind that door. I soon came to realise that there is so much to learn, but so many teachers I can learn from. Accessibility is a […] The post So much to learn, so many teachers appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on...

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Sexy, Cheap, and Easy
Feb07

Sexy, Cheap, and Easy

“No-one wants to do it. It’s just not sexy” “It’s too expensive” “We don’t have the time to implement it” A sad, familiar story but one that is not strictly true when it comes to implementing Accessibility. The post Sexy, Cheap, and Easy appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog Sexy, Cheap, and Easy “No-one wants to do it....

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The Things We Don’t Talk About
Jan24

The Things We Don’t Talk About

The things we don’t talk about are often the very things we SHOULD be talking about. Meet the podcast trying to remove stigma, and hopefully give reassurance to people who sit in silent struggles The post The Things We Don’t Talk About appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog The Things We Don’t Talk About The things we don’t talk about are often the very...

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Episode1x01 – Dona Sarkar – Neurodiversity – YouTube
Jan24

Episode1x01 – Dona Sarkar – Neurodiversity – YouTube

Episode1x01 – Dona Sarkar – Neurodiversity Welcome to Episode 1 where we are joined by the AWESOME Dona Sarkar who talks about Neurodiversity. If you’re not familiar with the term, well neither was Mike until he heard Dona talk about it at MS Ignite London 2020. To say it blew his mind is an understatement, and it presents a really great way of understanding that we are ALL different but we are ALL uniquely amazing...

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Episode1x1 – Dona Sarkar – Neurodiversity

Welcome to Episode 1 of The Things We Don't Talk About. This episode we are joined by the AWESOME Dona Sarkar who talks about Neurodiversity. If you're not familiar with the term, well neither was Mike until he heard Dona talk about it at MS Ignite London 2020. To say it blew his mind is an understatement, and it presents a really great way of understanding that we are ALL different but we are ALL uniquely amazing and...

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Episode 0x0 – The One Where We Announce The Podcast – YouTube
Dec21

Episode 0x0 – The One Where We Announce The Podcast – YouTube

Episode 0x0 – The One Where We Announce The Podcast IT’S FINALLY HERE FOLKS! After many, many delays welcome to the introductory episode of The Things We Don’t Talk About. In this brief(ish) episode get to meet your hosts, Mike Hartley & Alison Mulligan, and find out just what this podcast is all about and why we feel it is needed. This is a podcast for everyone, giving voice to all those things that we hide away...

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Episode 0x0 – The One Where We Announce The Podcast

IT'S FINALLY HERE FOLKS!After many, many delays welcome to the introductory episode of The Things We Don't Talk About.In this brief(ish) episode get to meet your hosts, Mike Hartley & Alison Mulligan, and find out just what this podcast is all about and why we feel it is needed.This is a podcast for everyone, giving voice to all those things that we hide away and just don't talk about. We're talking Mental...

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Access All Areas
Nov07

Access All Areas

When was the last time you were asked to make a project accessible? OK how accessible was the last event you attended, or app that you built, or blog post you read? Do you make your #Hashtags screen reader friendly? Accessibility is something that people are aware of, yet also massively unaware of – and that goes for me especially. So I’m going to do something about that… The post Access… Continue Reading...

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Losing it in Lockdown
May24

Losing it in Lockdown

A quick post from me about Mental Health in Lockdown. Here I share some of my struggles, and talk about where to find advice as well as where to chill out. The post Losing it in Lockdown appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog https://hartofthemidlands.co.uk/2020/05/losing-it-in-lockdown/ Blog Syndicated with Mike’s Permission

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Och Aye – It’s the Scottish Summit
Jan26

Och Aye – It’s the Scottish Summit

Come along and catch me at the Scottish Summit on the 29th February in Executive Room A at 1:30pm. I’ll be using Arthur’s story to cover some of the key phases in a migration project. The post Och Aye – It’s the Scottish Summit appeared first on Hart of the Midlands. Continue Reading Mike’s Article on their blog Och Aye – It’s the Scottish Summit Come along and catch me at the Scottish Summit...

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