“Making Accessibility a Priority” – Act 02 – Scene 35 – Maigen Thomas

Summary

In this episode of the DesignOps Aligned podcast Maigen Thomas discusses the critical importance of accessibility in design. They explore the transition from development to design, the challenges designers face in implementing accessibility, and the role of product managers in advocating for inclusive design. Maigen shares her insights on the need for designers to understand the fundamentals of accessibility and the importance of building a compassionate approach to design. The conversation emphasizes the need for collaboration between designers, developers, and product managers to create accessible products that cater to all users, regardless of their abilities.

Takeaways

· Designers often lack training in accessibility from the start.

· Accessibility should be viewed as compassion, not just compliance.

· The web is inherently accessible; it's our additions that complicate it.

· Designers need to understand coding to create functional designs.

· Product managers play a crucial role in prioritizing accessibility.

· The design community must advocate for accessibility as a shared responsibility.

· There is a business case for making products accessible.

· Mentorship in design should be deeper than transactional relationships.

· The next generation of designers is more inclusive and aware of accessibility needs.

· Accessibility features should be promoted and made clear to users.

Chapters

00:48 - Megan’s Journey from Development to Design

02:27 - The Importance of Accessibility in Design

05:05 - The Role of Empathy and Compassion in Accessibility

08:08 - Building Foundations: The Basics of Accessibility

11:14 - Overcoming Accessibility Challenges in Design

14:09 - The Responsibility of Designers and Product Managers

16:29 - The Business Case for Accessibility

19:20 - The Ingredients for Successful Accessible Design

28:18 - Redefining UX Design Education

30:02 - The Role of Mentorship in UX

32:28 - Accessibility in Design: A Necessity

35:36 - Generational Perspectives on Accessibility

48:29 - The Future of Inclusive Design

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