Principle 5
Ensure Accessibility
Ensure accessibility for all learners​
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Accessibility is woven into every stage of my design process, not as a final check but as a foundational priority. I proactively design for a wide range of needs, including visual, hearing, and mobility impairments. High-contrast visuals, screen reader compatibility, captioning, and useable navigation are just a few of the factors I take into consideration in every design. Whenever possible, I try to go above and beyond WCAG standards, using Universal Design for Learning to guide my decisions. My goal is to ensure every learner can engage meaningfully with the content. Whether I’m designing a video or an interactive module, I plan for accessibility from the start, creating learning experiences that are inclusive, thoughtful, and built for everyone.
Principle 5 In Action
Project Overview
At Partners for Rural Impact, my team creates trainings and resources for community leaders across the United States. But most staff have never received formal guidance on designing for accessibility. Recognizing the opportunity to expand our impact, I set out to build a training that would equip staff with practical strategies to make their content and meetings more inclusive.
My Role
I am leading the design of this training from the ground up, focusing on actionable best practices that staff can implement immediately. The training centers on two key areas: creating accessible documents and facilitating inclusive in-person meetings, both of which are central to the team’s daily work. I am prioritizing clarity and relevance, selecting strategies that will have the greatest impact. Because the training is optional, I am emphasizing the value of accessible design, showing how small changes can significantly improve engagement and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate fully.
Outcome
This project is ongoing and has been temporarily paused due to shifting organizational priorities. In the meantime, I am continuing to advance accessibility through one-on-one consultations with staff. These sessions allow me to share tailored guidance and build individual capacity for inclusive design. The training remains a priority, and the groundwork laid so far has already begun to influence how staff think about accessibility in their work.
Sample
The video below is an introductory video for this future accessibility training that I created using a video animating program and an AI voice generator.
