In this insightful episode of Beyond Barriers, host Brian Gavin, co-founder of Wally, speaks with Sarah Nielsen, a passionate advocate for accessibility and a software engineer at Zillow. Sarah shares her journey from learning sign language in Brazil to enhancing accessibility at Zillow. Listeners can expect to learn about Sarah's unique experiences, the importance of empathy in tech, and practical steps for building accessible digital experiences.
Journey into Accessibility
How did your journey into accessibility begin?
Sarah: "My story with accessibility started when I was 16. I befriended someone who was deaf, and I was committed to learning sign language to communicate with him. Over time, I helped him navigate various situations, like going to stores, where he struggled to communicate. This experience taught me about the importance of accessible communication and fueled my passion for helping the community."
How did your career in accessibility continue at Zillow?
Sarah: "When I started at Zillow, I didn’t know much about coding for accessibility. I was assigned backlog tickets to address color contrast issues and other accessibility fixes. As I grew in the role, I introduced automation testing to catch accessibility issues early and worked on developing better accessibility practices for our team."
Brian: "It sounds like Zillow's commitment to accessibility provided a foundation for you to innovate. How has the team responded to these changes?"
Challenges in Accessibility Automation
What are the biggest challenges you face in accessibility automation?
Sarah: "One challenge is the lack of automated testing for everything, especially with screen readers and keyboard navigation. Manual testing can be time-consuming, but without it, we risk missing important details. I’m constantly advocating for automation to streamline this process and make our site more accessible."
Brian: "It’s clear you’re driving a culture of accessibility testing, which is invaluable in reducing issues before they reach users."
Balancing Compliance and Inclusive Design
How do you balance compliance with a truly inclusive experience?
Sarah: "Often, companies meet the minimum compliance requirements, but it’s not always about creating the best experience. I aim to go beyond compliance, ensuring that everyone, including those using screen readers, has the same rich experience."
Brian: "That’s a crucial mindset shift—focusing not just on avoiding legal issues but on genuinely enhancing usability for all."
How does empathy play a role in your work?
Sarah: "Empathy drives everything I do in accessibility. I try to think of moments when I felt excluded and channel that understanding into my work. I want users to feel welcome and included in every interaction, no matter their abilities."
Brian: "It’s inspiring to see how you’re translating that empathy into actionable changes for Zillow’s users."
Future of Accessibility in Technology
What do you think is the next big disruption in accessibility?
Sarah: "Access to data and the push for inclusive brand values are key. If companies saw concrete data on how accessibility impacts their user base, they’d prioritize it more. Regulations can help, but ultimately, empathy and understanding our users’ needs drive the most significant impact."
Brian: "It sounds like data and empathy together could transform how businesses approach accessibility in the future."
What advice would you give to business owners about embracing accessibility?
Sarah: "Accessibility doesn’t require a massive investment. Simple changes like color contrast, ARIA labels, and keyboard navigation can make a huge difference. Building an inclusive brand fosters customer loyalty and ultimately benefits everyone."
Brian: "That's practical and insightful advice, Sarah. Building accessible experiences really is a win-win."
Final Thoughts
What’s the main takeaway you want listeners to remember?
Sarah: "Accessibility should be as fundamental as any other part of the development process. If we all practice a bit more empathy and prioritize accessibility from the start, we can make the internet a more inclusive place for everyone."
Brian: "That’s a powerful message. Thank you for sharing your experiences and your commitment to creating a more accessible world."
