Welcome to another episode of Beyond Barriers, where we dive into the world of accessibility with leaders and advocates dedicated to making the digital and physical environments inclusive for everyone. Today, we’re excited to share insights from our conversation with Jen Devins, an industry expert who brings both personal and professional experience to accessibility. Through this conversation, we explore the challenges and successes encountered along the way and the evolving role of technology in accessibility.
You can listen to the audio or read the transcript below.
A Personal Journey into Accessibility
How did your journey into accessibility begin?
Jen: "It started with my own life. I grew up with low vision, and navigating the world wasn’t always straightforward. At first, I just wanted to fit in, to be ‘normal’ and not stand out. Over time, I realized that the challenges I faced weren’t unique to me. They were universal issues, and I began to see accessibility as a mission—not just for myself but for everyone."
Overcoming Frustrations and Embracing Accessibility
What were some of the frustrations you encountered, and how did you turn them into a drive for change?
Jen: "Initially, there were a lot of frustrations. Everyday tasks that others took for granted were complicated. It was a gradual process of acceptance. One memory that stands out is when my dad put a reflective sign on my bike to make me more visible. I hated it because it set me apart. But, over time, I learned to use the tools around me—like magnifiers, large monitors, and screen readers. Accepting and embracing these aids allowed me to refocus my energy on creating solutions that could benefit everyone."
The Impact of Being Open about Accessibility Needs
How did accepting and sharing your experiences shape your approach to accessibility?
Jen: "Opening up about my needs made a big difference. When I stopped hiding and started asking for help, I could access more tools and resources. This experience taught me that many people need accessibility but don’t have the tools or confidence to ask. I wanted to help create an environment where they could, where accessibility was just a given part of the process."
Moving from Personal to Professional Accessibility Advocacy
How did you transition from personal experience to professional advocacy?
Jen: "After university, I started working in tech, and I saw people using up to 17 different tools just to do their jobs. It struck me how inaccessible it was. Eventually, I helped build an accessibility-focused community within the company and led projects aimed at making our environment more inclusive. Building a team was essential—I couldn’t do it alone—and together, we aimed to build accessibility into everything we did, creating user-friendly experiences that benefited everyone."
Addressing Accessibility Beyond Compliance
What’s your perspective on the role of compliance versus creating genuinely accessible experiences?
Jen: "Accessibility isn’t just about checking boxes for compliance; it’s about creating experiences. You can meet compliance standards, but that doesn’t always mean you’re providing a good experience. Focusing on user experience is key. When you think of accessibility as part of delivering a positive user experience, compliance naturally follows."
Building an Accessibility Culture within Organizations
What strategies do you recommend for building accessibility into a company’s culture?
Jen: "It starts with awareness, both at the leadership level and throughout the company. When we began our journey, we focused on awareness events and volunteer groups to create a community around accessibility. It takes effort to weave accessibility into the culture, from engaging senior leaders to involving middle management. Building a sense of shared responsibility and having champions across departments are essential."
Brian: "The cultural aspect really can’t be overlooked. Accessibility has to be built into the DNA of the company."
Breaking Down Silos to Scale Accessibility Initiatives
How do you address the common challenge of siloed teams in scaling accessibility?
Jen: "Silos are a big issue. Teams are often so focused on their own tasks that they miss opportunities for collaboration. I encourage breaking down these walls by starting conversations across departments. Sometimes, it’s as simple as reaching out to a team member in another department and sharing ideas. You don’t have to be an expert—just be willing to listen and learn from others."
Brian: "Absolutely. It’s about cross-functional collaboration, where accessibility isn’t just a side task but a core part of each team’s mission."
Leveraging Technology to Drive Accessibility Forward
What role does technology play in advancing accessibility?
Jen: "Technology is a game changer. Assistive technologies like screen readers and magnifiers make a huge difference, but AI is opening up even more possibilities. For instance, using AI to summarize meeting notes, assist with scheduling, or even offer real-time transcription can make everyday tasks more accessible. It’s incredible to see how tech can remove barriers and enhance people’s ability to interact with their environment."
Real-Life Accessibility Success Story
Can you share a success story where accessibility efforts made a meaningful impact?
Jen: "One of my favorite projects started as a simple awareness session with a client. As we engaged more with their team, they asked us to support their accessibility testing and provide feedback. We ended up working with their developers and testers to identify and solve accessibility issues in their applications. By the end, they not only had a more accessible product but a stronger understanding of the benefits of accessibility. It was rewarding to see them share these results with senior leaders, and it was a proud moment for all of us."
Technology as a Disruptor in Accessibility
What do you see as the biggest disruptor in accessibility today?
Jen: "AI, without a doubt. It’s both a challenge and an opportunity. While there are concerns about AI, it also has immense potential to make our lives easier and to support accessibility efforts. For instance, AI-powered tools can assist with visual recognition, transcription, and even administrative tasks, which can be a big help to people with disabilities. I believe we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible."
Note for Businesses
What would you like to say to companies that are hesitant to invest in accessibility?
Jen: "Accessibility doesn’t have to be hard, and it shouldn’t be something we approach as an afterthought. Start small if you need to—implementing high-contrast text, making sure all videos have captions, or ensuring your website is navigable by screen readers. These small steps add up and make a world of difference. Remember, accessibility isn’t just for people with disabilities; it benefits everyone."
Brian: "Well said. Accessibility is about creating a world where everyone can participate fully, and it’s encouraging to see more organizations realizing that."
