Accessibility in education and technology is no longer just a compliance checkbox—it’s a pathway to creating inclusive experiences for all. Shannon Urban, Director of Accessibility at McGraw-Hill, shares her transformative journey from being spotlighted at a global conference for her organization's inaccessibility to becoming a passionate advocate and leader in creating inclusive digital experiences. Her story on the Beyond Barriers podcast highlights the challenges, successes, and strategies that drive impactful accessibility work.
The Start of an Unexpected Journey
Shannon's career began in the classroom, teaching K–12 music before transitioning into the ed-tech industry as a product manager. It was in this role that her accessibility journey began—quite unexpectedly.
Shannon shared, "I was tasked with making our product accessible, and at the time, I didn’t even know what that meant. It was a wake-up call when we were called out at CSUN for our product’s inaccessibility."
This public critique became the catalyst for change. Shannon’s organization quickly formed a task force and committed resources to address accessibility. This experience ignited her passion and laid the foundation for her future in accessibility leadership.
Fail Fast: Building an Accessibility Strategy That Works
With no prior experience in accessibility, Shannon embraced the challenge head-on, using a fail-fast approach. Her team prioritized impactful areas that could be addressed within the constraints of time, budget, and technology.
They focused on features like:
Improved Visibility: Customizable fonts, colors, and backgrounds for better usability.
Accessible Alternatives: Text-based descriptions for interactive elements like whiteboards.
User Feedback: Direct engagement with users of assistive technology to test and refine solutions.
"We couldn’t tackle everything at once," Shannon explained, "but we prioritized what would make the biggest impact and moved forward step by step."
This iterative approach not only improved the product but also earned the organization recognition for its efforts, demonstrating the power of intentional and focused accessibility strategies.
Scaling Accessibility: A Cross-Functional Effort
Shannon emphasizes that accessibility cannot be the responsibility of a single team or individual—it requires cross-functional alignment.
"Accessibility has to involve everyone—engineering, quality assurance, product management, content teams. It's not something a single person or even a small team can handle alone," she explained.
At McGraw-Hill, Shannon’s team employs a dual strategy:
Accessibility Ambassadors: Cross-functional team members receive specialized training to champion accessibility within their departments.
Specialist Support: Shannon’s team provides guidance and expertise to ensure projects align with accessibility standards.
This balanced approach ensures both scalability and consistency across all initiatives, whether they involve new products, existing offerings, or legacy systems.
The Role of AI in Accessibility
One of the most significant disruptions Shannon sees in accessibility is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). While excited about its potential, she remains cautious.
"AI tools can speed up processes, but we must ensure there’s a human component to validate outcomes," she warned. "Relying solely on AI risks introducing new issues or overlooking critical user needs."
Shannon is currently exploring ways to integrate AI effectively, particularly in testing and development, while maintaining human oversight to ensure quality and inclusivity.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
One of Shannon’s biggest challenges has been navigating organizational buy-in and overcoming the perception of accessibility as an afterthought.
"Early in my career, accessibility was often seen as something we might get to later. Deadlines took priority over doing it right," she said. "But accessibility isn’t an add-on—it’s an integral part of creating quality products."
Shannon also highlighted the importance of leadership support:
"Leadership sets the tone. Without their buy-in, you can’t make space for training, adjust deadlines, or build cross-functional collaboration."
Shannon’s work has extended beyond her organization, creating partnerships like the one with Perkins School for the Blind to develop an accessible periodic table.
"The periodic table project wasn’t just about accessibility—it was about empowerment. We created a tool that students can use anytime, anywhere, leveling the playing field for science education," she shared.
Final Thoughts: Accessibility is for Everyone
Shannon’s story is a testament to what’s possible when organizations commit to accessibility. Her passion for creating inclusive experiences is evident in her dedication to training, strategy development, and advocacy.
"Accessibility is a journey. You might hit setbacks, but with the right strategy and support, you can make real progress. It’s not about doing it all at once—it’s about moving the needle in the right direction," she said.
Shannon’s work underscores that accessibility benefits everyone, not just those with permanent disabilities. Whether it’s captions during a noisy meeting or text-based alternatives for interactive content, inclusive design improves usability for all.
Her journey from being "called out" to becoming a leader in accessibility serves as inspiration for organizations looking to make a meaningful impact. Shannon’s advice is clear: start small, prioritize impact, and involve everyone in the process.
Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating better experiences for everyone.
