Welcome to another podcast conversation of Beyond Barriers, a community dedicated to promoting accessibility awareness through discussions with accessibility leaders around the world. In today’s episode, we’re excited to feature Cameron McDonald, a seasoned programmer turned accessibility advocate. With a strong foundation in computer science, Cameron shares his journey from working purely in development to becoming a passionate leader in accessibility.
Throughout our conversation, Cameron reveals his unique insights into why accessibility is often overlooked, the transformative power of empathy in design, and how new technologies like AI and voice recognition are shaping the future of accessible digital experiences. Join us as we explore Cameron's mission to make accessibility a foundational part of every project, not just an afterthought.
You can listen to the audio or read the transcript below.
Introduction to Accessibility
How did you start your journey in accessibility, and what motivated you to pursue it as a career?
Cameron: "I got into accessibility quite by chance. My background was in UX design, and initially, accessibility wasn’t a focus area. But once I started working with people who actually had disabilities, it changed my perspective. Realizing how much tech can empower someone or, on the flip side, hinder them—it was a turning point for me."
Brian: "It’s incredible how experiences with people who are directly affected by design decisions can shift our approach. That firsthand impact really brings it home."
The Practical Side of Accessibility
What are some practical challenges you encounter in implementing accessibility?
Cameron: "One of the biggest challenges is getting buy-in from all levels of an organization. Accessibility isn’t just a one-time checklist item; it’s a long-term commitment. And convincing stakeholders to invest time and resources consistently, especially for features that may not seem immediately profitable, can be tough."
Strategies for Embedding Accessibility into Team Culture
How do you advocate for accessibility within your team?
Cameron: "For me, it’s about education and empathy. I work to make sure everyone understands why accessibility matters—not just from a compliance angle but from a human perspective. Regular workshops, user testing with people with disabilities, and even simple exercises that simulate disabilities can make a huge difference in shifting mindsets."
Accessibility Tools and Technologies
What are some tools or technologies you rely on to support accessibility initiatives?
Cameron: "We use a variety of tools, but I’d say automation tools like Testaro have been really helpful. Testaro lets us run automated checks on our designs and flag any immediate issues. It doesn’t replace manual testing, but it does help speed things up and ensure we’re catching the obvious problems early."
Brian: "Automation definitely helps streamline those checks, but as you said, manual testing remains essential for the nuances."
The Role of AI in Accessibility
How do you see AI impacting accessibility?
Cameron: "AI is a double-edged sword in accessibility. On the one hand, it has the potential to personalize and adapt experiences in real-time, which is powerful. But there’s also a risk that AI systems, if not developed responsibly, could introduce biases that affect people with disabilities negatively. The key is ensuring we train these systems with diverse data and ethical guidelines."
Educating Teams on Accessibility
How important is training in making accessibility a sustained practice?
Cameron: "Ongoing training is vital. Accessibility standards and technology keep evolving, so a one-off training won’t cut it. Teams need regular refreshers and updates. I think it’s about keeping everyone, from designers to developers, engaged and informed about why accessibility is crucial and how it impacts real people."
Making Accessibility the Norm, Not the Exception
What’s your vision for the future of accessibility in the tech industry?
Cameron: "My hope is that accessibility becomes the norm—something we all incorporate from day one. It should be as natural as making sure your code compiles or that a site is mobile-friendly. I want to see a world where we don’t have to advocate for it because it’s already embedded in the process."
Brian: "I think that’s a goal a lot of us in the industry share. Making accessibility second nature would be an incredible achievement."
