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Insights from a Callibrity Lunch & Learn Presentation

In February, Callibrity hosted a Lunch & Learn session that sparked a crucial conversation about prioritizing accessibility (a11y) in product design and development. The presentation was led by Erica Price, a Senior User Experience Practitioner at Yum! Brands, and Jack Merideth, a Senior Software Developer at Callibrity, shed light on the essential role of inclusive design in today’s digital landscape.

A slide labeled ‘Physical’ with three images of stick figures, the left image represents a person with one arm, the middle someone with an arm injury, and the right image a person holding a baby, labeled ‘New Parent’
A presentation slide using the Physical example from The Spectrum of Disability created by the Microsoft Inclusion Design

Accessibility in Product Design

Erica began the session by sharing her journey as a passionate advocate for accessibility. With over a decade of experience, she emphasized the significance of ensuring that digital products are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. Highlighting the startling statistic that 1.3 billion people worldwide live with disabilities, Erica debunked the misconception that accessibility only concerns a small minority.

Accessibility Empowers Everyone to Create Intentional, Inclusive Experiences.

Throughout the presentation, Erica emphasized the diverse spectrum of disabilities, including permanent, temporary, and situational impairments. Utilizing The Spectrum of Disability created by the Microsoft Inclusion Design team, she illustrated scenarios where individuals with varying abilities might face challenges, underscoring the universal need for inclusive design practices.

Erica also provided practical insights into creating accessible digital experiences, from optimizing headings and color contrast for users with visual impairments to considering thumb-reach optimization for individuals with physical disabilities, focusing on content vocabulary to support screen readers, as well as other accessibility-first approaches. Her guidance emphasized the importance of thoughtful design considerations at every stage of development.

A presentation slide titled “Designing for visual disabilities” showing a visual example of how to use Headers in digital product design properly, and a visual example of how to visualize data by using methods in addition to just color
A presentation slide titled “Designing for visual disabilities” showing a visual example of how to use Headers in digital product design properly, and a visual example of how to visualize data by using methods in addition to just color

Accessibility in Development

Jack Merideth, sharing his perspective as a developer, reinforced the collaborative effort required to implement accessibility features effectively. He stressed the importance of integrating accessibility into the development process from the outset rather than treating it as an afterthought.

The presentation concluded with a compelling call to action for companies to embed accessibility into their core values and practices. Erica and Jack’s insights resonated with attendees, inspiring a commitment to fostering inclusivity in all aspects of product development.

A presentation slide titled “Designing for cognitive disabilities” showing a visual example of how to keep a consistent layout and navigation and a visual example of how to use whitespace to break up content sections to reduce confusion and overstimulation
A presentation slide titled “Designing for cognitive disabilities” showing a visual example of how to keep a consistent layout and navigation and a visual example of how to use whitespace to break up content sections to reduce confusion and overstimulation

Our accessibility Lunch & Learn session served as a catalyst for reflection and action, urging attendees to prioritize accessibility in their product development endeavors. As we move forward, let us embrace the invaluable lessons Erica Price and Jack Merideth share, working towards a future where digital experiences are truly accessible to all.

Call to Action

Callibrity’s dedication to hosting informative sessions reflects its commitment to creating a more inclusive digital environment. By raising awareness and promoting dialogue around accessibility, Callibrity continues to lead by example in championing diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry.

If you are thinking about building a custom software solution, please reach out to Callibrity. We approach each product with a holistic understanding of what our stakeholders are looking to achieve and what the audience needs.

Set up a call with us today — (513) 745–0320 — to see how we can help you and any software, mobile, or accessibility solutions today!

More Accessibility Resources

WCAG 2.2 Guidelines

ARIA Authoring Practices Guide | APG |

Microsoft Inclusive Design

Accessibility guidelines for designers

Ryan Wilson
Post by Ryan Wilson
Ryan Wilson, Product Practice Lead at Callibrity, brings over two decades of experience in digital product creation. With a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction and an MFA in Graphic Design, Ryan blends technical expertise with creative insight to solve complex problems. His holistic approach integrates product and UX processes, fosters client relationships, captures user insights, and drives success. Ryan excels at quickly learning and adapting to meet the evolving needs of clients and audiences.