As you may or may not know, the recent changes to Ravelry have created barriers for many users, whether they choose to admit it or not, and whether they choose to fix it or not. Although I am still physically able to use the site, it's ruined for me. I can't support a site that is alienating its users - and worse, denying the harm they have caused.
Through Instagram and my teacher, Frenchie, I was connected with Renee Van Hoy, a long time volunteer moderator and editor of Ravelry's Accessible Patterns, who was determined to create an alternative home for the 500+ accessible formatted patterns that could only be found using Ravelry.
Despite the fact that I don't have much experience with building websites, other than building my own blog here using Wix, and don't have much experience with accessibility other than formatting my own patterns, I felt that this was something I really wanted to be a part of.
Renee and I have been working together over the past several weeks to get the Index up and running. I am so thankful to have this opportunity to learn about removing barriers, and support members of our community that Ravelry has dismissed.
Please check out our ko-fi page for more information about the project, consider supporting us if you can, and be sure to spread the word. In addition to making it easy for blind and print challenged crafters to find patterns, we are committed to helping designers learn to format their patterns so that they will be usable for everyone. Renee will soon have an e-course available for designers, so keep an eye on our ko-fi page and our Instagram (@rvanhoy1 and @handknitsandhygge) for updates.
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