In this episode of Beyond Barriers, host Brian Gavin, co-founder of Wally, speaks with Alexa Cruz, a designer passionate about accessibility. Alexa shares her journey from college to working with global teams at Amazon, the importance of accessible design, and how she navigates the challenges in this field. Listeners can expect to gain insights into Alexa’s experiences, the importance of accessibility in design, and practical advice for promoting inclusivity in business.
Beginning of Accessibility Journey
What sparked your journey into accessibility?
Alexa: "I attended a talk on accessibility in college, and it resonated with me deeply. Years later, while working with Amazon's ad team, I saw an opportunity to make our designs more accessible, particularly with color contrasts, and decided to take action."
What was it like to work with global teams on accessibility at Amazon?
Alexa: "I worked with colleagues from San Jose, India, and Japan to standardize accessible design practices. We divided topics like color meaning and fonts to create a more uniform approach, and communication was key to overcoming cultural and language differences."
Brian: "It’s amazing how you drove alignment across such a diverse team. Did you find that different regions had unique accessibility challenges?"
Implementing Accessible Design Principles
What tools and techniques do you recommend for accessible design?
Alexa: "Color Analyzer and Adobe Color are essential for ensuring proper contrast and color choice. These tools are also free, which is great. Additionally, incorporating scripts and subtitles in videos enhances accessibility."
Brian: "These are simple yet impactful solutions. It's great that these tools are freely available!"
Promoting Accessibility Across Client Projects
What challenges have you encountered with clients regarding accessibility?
Alexa: "Clients sometimes resist accessible design changes, like adjusting colors or fonts for readability. It can be frustrating, but I try to explain that making these adjustments improves ad performance and customer experience."
Brian: "I can imagine that navigating client expectations can be challenging. Your dedication to inclusivity makes a real difference in the impact of their campaigns."
Why is accessibility so important to you?
Alexa: "For me, accessibility isn’t optional; it’s essential. Everyone deserves access to information, regardless of ability. Being accessible not only benefits users but also broadens the audience reach for businesses."
Brian: "That passion shines through in everything you’ve shared. It’s a win-win for both the user and the business."
Challenges and Future of Accessibility in Design
What are some upcoming challenges and trends in accessibility?
Alexa: "Standardization is a major challenge. We need more universal accessibility standards, especially when serving different markets. On a positive note, younger generations, like Millennials and Gen Z, are increasingly mindful of inclusivity, which is driving positive changes."
Brian: "It’s great to hear that awareness is growing. Do you think that collaboration across disciplines will be essential moving forward?"
Alexa: "Absolutely. Having diverse roles—designers, technologists, managers—engaged in accessibility makes a significant impact. It’s a collaborative effort."
What would you say to business owners about embracing accessibility?
Alexa: "Accessibility is easy to start with. Subtitles, color contrast, readable fonts—these are simple adjustments that can have a big impact. Being accessible isn’t just the right thing to do; it also helps brands reach more customers."
Brian: "That’s fantastic advice, Alexa. You’ve made accessibility seem both achievable and essential."
Final Thoughts
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Alexa: "I just want to reiterate how important it is to create accessible designs. Thank you, Brian, for giving accessibility the spotlight it deserves in this podcast. There aren’t many resources that explore it as deeply as Beyond Barriers does, and I appreciate that."
