Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
@bettyoctopus.bsky.social
UDL & inclusion advocate. Ed Tech at UL. Mother of an amazing teen. Limerick & Kerry. Mountains & Sea. Cats & Crafts. LGBT+ ally. Feminist.
Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it. Don't wait for it.
Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it. Don't wait for it.
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
Today is 2025-04-19, the sun sets at 19:32:55 (20:32:55 with DST!) and the grand auld stretch tonight was 3 hours, 27 mins and 12 secs. #GrandStretch #SpringStretch
April 19, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Today is 2025-04-19, the sun sets at 19:32:55 (20:32:55 with DST!) and the grand auld stretch tonight was 3 hours, 27 mins and 12 secs. #GrandStretch #SpringStretch
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
Thousands of people rallied in central London in support of trans rights, after a landmark court ruling on the definition of a "woman"
Trans rights supporters rally outside UK parliament
Thousands of people rallied in central London in support of trans rights, after a landmark court ruling on the definition of a "woman".
www.rte.ie
April 19, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Thousands of people rallied in central London in support of trans rights, after a landmark court ruling on the definition of a "woman"
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
🧵It has nothing to do with sex. This ruling has nothing to do with women's safety, it is to do with the accepted impression of what a woman is. It will embolden people to attack women regardless of their biological sex if they don't fit in. Attacks on ALL women will increase, trans or cis.
April 16, 2025 at 12:04 PM
🧵It has nothing to do with sex. This ruling has nothing to do with women's safety, it is to do with the accepted impression of what a woman is. It will embolden people to attack women regardless of their biological sex if they don't fit in. Attacks on ALL women will increase, trans or cis.
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
People often ask what accessibility considerations to keep in mind when creating data visualizations. For guidance and advice, check out Sarah L. Fossheim's list of 10 things to do (or not do) when designing accessible data visualizations.
fossheim.io/writing/post...
fossheim.io/writing/post...
An intro to designing accessible data visualizations by Sarah L. Fossheim
10 dos and don'ts for designing accessible data visualizations, including real-life examples and resources
fossheim.io
March 26, 2025 at 2:41 AM
People often ask what accessibility considerations to keep in mind when creating data visualizations. For guidance and advice, check out Sarah L. Fossheim's list of 10 things to do (or not do) when designing accessible data visualizations.
fossheim.io/writing/post...
fossheim.io/writing/post...
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
Reminder: Kennys Bookshop delivers for free in Ireland. Easons have free delivery over 10 euros (and also sell toys and games and stationary). Lots of lovely booksellers in the actual stores too, like Books Upstairs, Gutter Bookshop, Hodges Figgis.
Ecommerce giant Amazon goes live with dedicated Irish store
Ecommerce giant Amazon goes live with dedicated Irish store
The company said that In 2023, Irish SMEs selling on Amazon recorded over €170 million in export sales, with over half of those n export sales outside the European Union
www.businesspost.ie
March 18, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Reminder: Kennys Bookshop delivers for free in Ireland. Easons have free delivery over 10 euros (and also sell toys and games and stationary). Lots of lovely booksellers in the actual stores too, like Books Upstairs, Gutter Bookshop, Hodges Figgis.
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
I can't remember the last time I saw an article just focus on this. Not that they've bent the truth or misrepresented a few facts a little, but that every single solitary thing that the GOP says on the topic is a stone cold lie with absolutely no basis in reality.
ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports...
ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports...
March 14, 2025 at 2:01 AM
I can't remember the last time I saw an article just focus on this. Not that they've bent the truth or misrepresented a few facts a little, but that every single solitary thing that the GOP says on the topic is a stone cold lie with absolutely no basis in reality.
ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports...
ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports...
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
A new four-lane highway cutting through tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest is being built for the COP30 climate summit in the Brazilian city of Belém... hosting more than 50,000 people - including world leaders - at the conference in November 😳
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Amazon rainforest cut down to build highway for COP climate summit
The infrastructure required to host climate talks in Belém is undermining the cause, campaigners say.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 12, 2025 at 7:11 AM
A new four-lane highway cutting through tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest is being built for the COP30 climate summit in the Brazilian city of Belém... hosting more than 50,000 people - including world leaders - at the conference in November 😳
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
First #MiniMná is Bernadette Devlin McAliskey - civil & human rights activist, shot by paramilitaries, clattered the Home Secretary when he said British soldiers on Bloody Sunday acted "in self-defence", and all-round legend. (There's a less cartoony print here www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...)
November 20, 2024 at 8:39 AM
First #MiniMná is Bernadette Devlin McAliskey - civil & human rights activist, shot by paramilitaries, clattered the Home Secretary when he said British soldiers on Bloody Sunday acted "in self-defence", and all-round legend. (There's a less cartoony print here www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...)
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
Word of the day is ‘lickspittle’ (17th century): a person who fawns upon someone in power for personal gain.
March 4, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Word of the day is ‘lickspittle’ (17th century): a person who fawns upon someone in power for personal gain.
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
#UDL folks!
The European Access Network Conference (Galway, June 2025) is still accepting abstract submissions. Deadline extended to Monday 4th 6pm (GMT) ean.clr.events/event/137513...
The European Access Network Conference (Galway, June 2025) is still accepting abstract submissions. Deadline extended to Monday 4th 6pm (GMT) ean.clr.events/event/137513...
European Access Network Conference 2025 - Inclusion by Design
Abstract Submission
We welcome proposals for 20-minute presentations, 60-minute workshops, panel discussions, lightning talks and poster presentations that resonate with the broad theme of designing inclusive and accessi...
ean.clr.events
March 3, 2025 at 6:29 AM
#UDL folks!
The European Access Network Conference (Galway, June 2025) is still accepting abstract submissions. Deadline extended to Monday 4th 6pm (GMT) ean.clr.events/event/137513...
The European Access Network Conference (Galway, June 2025) is still accepting abstract submissions. Deadline extended to Monday 4th 6pm (GMT) ean.clr.events/event/137513...
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
This is this week and has a virtual option. Looks like a great opportunity to support trans students in #HigherEd and beyond.
www.reddragonnetwork.org/s/1612/19/in...
www.reddragonnetwork.org/s/1612/19/in...
TransAction 2025 Conference
SUNY Cortland invites you to TransAction 2025, the 7th annual conference about the needs and experiences of transgender and gender queer individuals in the college environment.
www.reddragonnetwork.org
March 3, 2025 at 6:54 PM
This is this week and has a virtual option. Looks like a great opportunity to support trans students in #HigherEd and beyond.
www.reddragonnetwork.org/s/1612/19/in...
www.reddragonnetwork.org/s/1612/19/in...
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
When using Microsoft Word or Google Docs, don't just make text bigger and bolder to make it a heading. That will work for sighted users, but screen reader users will miss that and just hear it as normal paragraph text. Use actual heading styles, like level 1 through 6.
February 28, 2025 at 3:42 AM
When using Microsoft Word or Google Docs, don't just make text bigger and bolder to make it a heading. That will work for sighted users, but screen reader users will miss that and just hear it as normal paragraph text. Use actual heading styles, like level 1 through 6.
Really heartbroken, Michelle was phenomenal in Buffy. RIP
US actress Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, has died aged 39.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer actor Trachtenberg has died
US actress Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, has died aged 39.
www.rte.ie
February 26, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Really heartbroken, Michelle was phenomenal in Buffy. RIP
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
We should first recognize that gender codes are socially constructed. Clothing is not inherently masculine or feminine—codes are contextual and can change over time. Aristocratic men once wore bright red heels. Then they became womenswear until that notion was challenged again.
February 16, 2025 at 6:10 AM
We should first recognize that gender codes are socially constructed. Clothing is not inherently masculine or feminine—codes are contextual and can change over time. Aristocratic men once wore bright red heels. Then they became womenswear until that notion was challenged again.
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
Word of the day is ‘arsle’ (19th century): to have a distinct sense of going backwards.
February 12, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Word of the day is ‘arsle’ (19th century): to have a distinct sense of going backwards.
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
Google Calendar removes Black History Month, Pride and other cultural events
Of course they did, like all the tech companies, their support of Pride etc was always conditional! The backlash continues www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Of course they did, like all the tech companies, their support of Pride etc was always conditional! The backlash continues www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Google Calendar removes Black History Month, Pride and other cultural events
Company says listed holidays were not ‘sustainable’ for their model in latest move to roll back diversity efforts
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Google Calendar removes Black History Month, Pride and other cultural events
Of course they did, like all the tech companies, their support of Pride etc was always conditional! The backlash continues www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Of course they did, like all the tech companies, their support of Pride etc was always conditional! The backlash continues www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
Capitalization affects how people read hashtags or how people hear them on screen readers. Use #camelCase or #PascalCase in hashtags instead of lowercase. You could have #SuperBowl ("Super Bowl") or #superbowl ("superb owl.") And while owls are indeed superb, confusing hashtags are not.
February 9, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Capitalization affects how people read hashtags or how people hear them on screen readers. Use #camelCase or #PascalCase in hashtags instead of lowercase. You could have #SuperBowl ("Super Bowl") or #superbowl ("superb owl.") And while owls are indeed superb, confusing hashtags are not.
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
Hey! HEY! WE are at 77% of target right now and we ought to be at over 80% by now.
This is evidence of Slacking.
Whattaya want, Poland coming up behind us and taking the next spot?
Think of somewhere new to share that link.
Go on, tell em I sent ya.
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
This is evidence of Slacking.
Whattaya want, Poland coming up behind us and taking the next spot?
Think of somewhere new to share that link.
Go on, tell em I sent ya.
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
European Citizens' Initiative
Give your support !
eci.ec.europa.eu
February 9, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Hey! HEY! WE are at 77% of target right now and we ought to be at over 80% by now.
This is evidence of Slacking.
Whattaya want, Poland coming up behind us and taking the next spot?
Think of somewhere new to share that link.
Go on, tell em I sent ya.
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
This is evidence of Slacking.
Whattaya want, Poland coming up behind us and taking the next spot?
Think of somewhere new to share that link.
Go on, tell em I sent ya.
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
A stunning aerial dance in Fedamore this evening #murmuration
February 8, 2025 at 8:22 PM
A stunning aerial dance in Fedamore this evening #murmuration
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
We're just 3,775 signatures away from Ireland becoming the third country in the EU to reach its threshold!
To be successful, a European citizens' initiative has to reach one million statements of support as well as minimum thresholds in at least 7 countries.
To be successful, a European citizens' initiative has to reach one million statements of support as well as minimum thresholds in at least 7 countries.
Here's something that takes seconds and could have actual positive outcomes.
There is an official 'citizen's petition' system in the EU. There's one open at the moment to ban conversion therapy for LGBT+ people in the EU.
Ireland can be 1 of the 7 nations needed
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
There is an official 'citizen's petition' system in the EU. There's one open at the moment to ban conversion therapy for LGBT+ people in the EU.
Ireland can be 1 of the 7 nations needed
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
February 6, 2025 at 4:25 PM
We're just 3,775 signatures away from Ireland becoming the third country in the EU to reach its threshold!
To be successful, a European citizens' initiative has to reach one million statements of support as well as minimum thresholds in at least 7 countries.
To be successful, a European citizens' initiative has to reach one million statements of support as well as minimum thresholds in at least 7 countries.
My zen space where I forget all the troubles is a field in county Limerick where I can watch the incredible show of a murmuration of starlings
February 7, 2025 at 11:23 AM
My zen space where I forget all the troubles is a field in county Limerick where I can watch the incredible show of a murmuration of starlings
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
If anyone claims that the current anti-trans panic was caused in any part by trans people advocating for our human rights, that person is lying through their teeth.
The religious right lost on marriage equality, and immediately started going after trans people instead. That's what happened.
The religious right lost on marriage equality, and immediately started going after trans people instead. That's what happened.
February 6, 2025 at 4:10 PM
If anyone claims that the current anti-trans panic was caused in any part by trans people advocating for our human rights, that person is lying through their teeth.
The religious right lost on marriage equality, and immediately started going after trans people instead. That's what happened.
The religious right lost on marriage equality, and immediately started going after trans people instead. That's what happened.
Reposted by Jess ~ Bettyoctopus (She/Her)
Here's something that takes seconds and could have actual positive outcomes.
There is an official 'citizen's petition' system in the EU. There's one open at the moment to ban conversion therapy for LGBT+ people in the EU.
Ireland can be 1 of the 7 nations needed
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
There is an official 'citizen's petition' system in the EU. There's one open at the moment to ban conversion therapy for LGBT+ people in the EU.
Ireland can be 1 of the 7 nations needed
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
February 6, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Here's something that takes seconds and could have actual positive outcomes.
There is an official 'citizen's petition' system in the EU. There's one open at the moment to ban conversion therapy for LGBT+ people in the EU.
Ireland can be 1 of the 7 nations needed
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
There is an official 'citizen's petition' system in the EU. There's one open at the moment to ban conversion therapy for LGBT+ people in the EU.
Ireland can be 1 of the 7 nations needed
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
