Accessibility Work

The New York Times

I am dedicated to designing products that promote equity and inclusivity, offering equal opportunities and experiences for all individuals. I led a comprehensive accessibility initiative that involved multiple teams, including conducting workshops to educate on accessibility best practices and performing audits to ensure compliance with accessibility standards. This initiative successfully enhanced the usability of our products and services, aligning them with WCAG standards and establishing me as the Accessibility Lead within my team.

Timeline

June 2023 - Present
8 months

Team

Sydney Hardister (Product Design Intern)

Special Thanks to

Matt Argomaniz (Lead Product Designer on NYT Design Systems)

Skills

Inclusive Design
Cross Team Collaboration

WORKSHOPS

As the Accessibility Lead for my team, I assumed responsibility for coordinating a series of workshops geared towards educating team members, including Product Designers, Lead Product Designers, Product Designer Directors, and Principal Product Designers, on assessing the accessibility of their work and implementing best practices during the design process. Fulfilling this role necessitated my commitment to continuous learning in order to effectively teach others.

ACCESSIBILITY AUDITS

Conducting audits was a primary method to ensure the accessibility of both existing and launching features, guaranteeing that all our users could fully enjoy everything we had to offer. This involved collaborating with cross-functional teams and receiving their support to ensure comprehensive coverage. By conducting these audits, we ensured compliance with WCAG standards, safeguarding the company and mitigating any potential legal risks.

ACCESSIBILITY DESIGN SQUAD

I am an active member of the Inclusive Design Squad at the New York Times, a dedicated community of designers who share a common goal of learning and creating resources to enhance the company's inclusivity and accessibility. Possible projects include developing best practice handbooks, holding accessibility office hours, and introducing teams to a more inclusive way of designing.