“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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