Welcome to another podcast conversation of Beyond Barriers, a community dedicated to promoting accessibility awareness through discussions with accessibility leaders around the world. In this episode, we are excited to feature Floris Horsman. Floris, born with low vision, has built a career centered around creating accessible and inclusive user experiences. Through a journey of overcoming personal frustrations, Floris shares his passion for UX-friendly solutions, technology’s potential, and his inspiring path of transforming obstacles into opportunities. Join us as we explore Floris’s journey, insights, and how accessibility doesn’t have to be complex.
You can listen to the audio or read the transcript below.
An Accessibility Journey Born from Experience
How did you get into the accessibility space and become a leader?
Floris: "I think I'm literally born into it. I'm born with low vision... Accessibility or having low vision, like I have, they just came together along the way. At first, it was frustrating. I wanted to be like everyone else… But eventually, I wanted to influence and inspire a more inclusive environment for all, so everyone can be their best selves."
Navigating Accessibility: Born into It vs. Adopting It Later
Is there a difference between those born into accessibility challenges and those who face them later in life?
Floris: "That's a super hard question because… we all experience the world differently. My experience is unique to me, but I believe anyone dealing with accessibility, at any point in life, will face their unique journey."
Acceptance and Overcoming Frustrations
How did you overcome the frustrations you experienced growing up?
Floris: "I think the major boundary that I overcame was just to accept it... In my teenage years, I didn't want to be different. For example, my dad bolted a reflective sign on my bike to make me visible, which felt frustrating, but he only did it out of care. Eventually, I realized that accepting my needs and using tools available, like magnifiers and large monitors, made my life easier."
From Acceptance to Advocacy in UX Design
How did this journey transform into advocacy for UX-friendly solutions?
Floris: "It started with awareness—helping people understand how important accessibility is... I believe accessibility isn't just for a minority. It could affect anyone, anytime, in a permanent, temporary, or situational way. It’s about making experiences better, not just for people with disabilities, but for everyone."
Starting with Accessibility Awareness Over Compliance
You focus more on experience over compliance. Why is that?
Floris: "If we raise awareness and focus on user-friendly solutions, compliance will follow naturally. It's not about meeting regulations alone; it’s about building experiences that are inclusive and beneficial for everyone. You start small, make incremental changes, and soon it becomes part of the organization’s culture."
Scaling Accessibility in Organizations
What are some key strategies you use to scale accessibility in organizations?
Floris: "Building a community internally is crucial. I work with champions and allies to build awareness, engage senior leadership, and create a top-down and bottom-up approach. This way, everyone—from senior management to middle management—is part of a larger goal, and that leads to a more inclusive environment overall."
Brian: "I often see organizations mature in accessibility, but they get siloed. They struggle to integrate it cross-functionally. The siloed nature is a huge risk and a common pitfall in scaling accessibility."
Challenges with Legacy Systems and Afterthought Accessibility
What are the challenges when accessibility is an afterthought?
Floris: "Building accessibility from the start is always better... Retrofitting applications can be challenging. I often see people using multiple tools to piece together an accessible experience—like using multiple transport apps just to navigate public transit effectively. That’s not user-friendly."
Brian: "Exactly. Retrofitting can be like repainting an entire house because you picked the wrong color initially. Integrating accessibility from the start simplifies the process and makes it sustainable."
Building Trust Through a Collaborative Approach
What has been one of your standout professional successes?
Floris: "One project began as an awareness session, and over time, turned into a full consultancy project. We helped a team test their application, log issues, and present solutions. We demonstrated the benefits of accessible design, not just as compliance, but as an opportunity to enhance the user experience."
Brian: "What I love is that you have clients who come to you and ask for help. That trust you build helps break down barriers to embracing accessibility."
The Role of AI as an Accessibility Disruptor
What do you think will be the biggest disruptor in accessibility?
Floris: "Everyone is talking about AI, and I see the benefits it could bring. AI has the potential to simplify tasks, support administrative work, or even assist with daily routines. Tools like AI-powered text-to-speech, summarizing notes, or planning meetings can help not just people with disabilities but anyone who benefits from efficiency."
Brian: "You brought us back to where we started, talking about UX-friendly solutions. Technology is advancing at such a rapid pace, and accessibility-focused AI is making experiences even more inclusive."
Final Thoughts: Small Actions for Big Change
Is there anything else you want to share?
Floris: "Don’t forget how wildly capable you are. Accessibility doesn’t have to be super hard. It’s in the little things we do every day that can make a difference."
Brian: "I couldn’t have said it better. Thank you for sharing your journey, Floris, and for being an advocate in this space."
