Coding for Inclusion: How Oppia Changed My ‘Why’ in Open Source

Many students enter open source hoping to build a resume and earn a stipend. When I joined Google Summer of Code (GSoC) 2023, I was no different. However, my work with the Oppia Foundation fundamentally transformed my perspective.

In this session, I will share how my initial monetary motivations shifted as I tackled web accessibility (a11y) for Oppia’s global ed-tech platform. Seeing how my code directly enabled students with physical disabilities to navigate vital learning materials gave me a profound new “why.” It shifted my focus from extrinsic rewards to the human side of open source.

This talk covers both the narrative and technical specs of “Coding for Inclusion”:

Technical Work: Practical steps for auditing Lighthouse accessibility scores, optimizing keyboard navigation, and fixing UI components to ensure seamless interactions and remove barriers for users with physical and motor disabilities.

The Broader Impact: Building software where inclusive education is a functional reality.

Attendees will leave with actionable a11y techniques for their projects and the inspiration to find a deeper purpose in the open-source ecosystem.