Summary
Accessibility and inclusion, two extremely important topics for every organization, and certainly of paramount concern to the design function. What role can DesignOps play in advancing these initiatives? As the new Director of Design Operations, Laura sees the numerous opportunities across the business – in research, communications, tooling and more. She is leading the way, forging a path, and allowing other teams to jump aboard. Takeaways: How Design Operations can directly and indirectly improve the experience of prospective employees, and also to our customers on the receiving end of our products by helping everyone design for (all) humans.
Key Insights
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Design operations serve as a conduit for promoting accessibility within organizations.
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Team relationships are crucial for integrating accessibility practices successfully.
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Accessibility should be viewed as a continual practice rather than a one-time task.
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Empathy and shared goals enhance collaboration between different teams.
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Documenting processes formalizes commitments to accessibility standards.
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Establishing a culture of feedback helps refine accessibility practices.
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Education and training on accessibility should be mandatory for all employees.
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Building relationships internally can uncover allies for promoting accessibility initiatives.
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Iterative experimentation and agile methodologies are essential in addressing accessibility in products.
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Recruitment practices should be standardized to promote inclusiveness and accountability.
Notable Quotes
"Design operations is about communication and problem solving."
"Accessibility was viewed as a checkbox rather than a practice."
"Once something is in writing, it becomes real."
"It helps to find shared goals of passion and impact."
"Don’t be afraid to keep knocking on their door."
"Get reactions and comments; don’t be afraid of presenting imperfect ideas."
"Bring a plan, even if it’s wrong; it invites dialogue and improvement."
"Find people who guide the work and those who deliver it."
"Community involvement is key for understanding broader accessibility issues."
"Making accessibility a natural expectation in design practice eases integration."
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