Accessibility isn’t just a guideline; it’s a mindset woven into every stage of design. On Beyond Barriers, Alex Santangelo shared how her journey as a designer has been shaped by a commitment to accessibility, starting from day one in her education to her current work at IBM. Her experiences highlight the interplay between creativity, advocacy, and user-centered design across physical and digital spaces.
A Foundation Built on Accessibility
Alex’s journey began with a unique advantage: accessibility was part of her design education from the very beginning. With a background in industrial and interaction design, her early work involved creating physical products where accessibility considerations were inherent.
“Day one in my design education, I was exposed to accessibility,” Alex recalled. Later, her focus shifted to digital UX/UI work, where she discovered the distinct challenges of designing for diverse users online. A key takeaway from this transition? The common thread of advocacy. “Rather than making assumptions, you turn to the user as your single source of truth.”
Accessibility Lessons from City Planning
During her time with the New York City Department of City Planning, Alex worked on a zoning information tool—an interactive map meant to serve architects, government officials, and the public. The challenge? Making a highly visual, data-dense product accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments or colorblindness.
By prioritizing user testing and iterative design, Alex and her team created solutions like a high-contrast mode that not only improved accessibility but enhanced the overall user experience. “Good products and good design are good business,” Alex emphasized. This success reinforced her belief that accessibility-driven design doesn’t just meet compliance—it elevates the product for everyone.
Transitioning from the public sector to IBM introduced Alex to new challenges. Private sector projects often come with constraints like tighter budgets and compressed timelines, which can deprioritize accessibility. Despite these obstacles, Alex continues to advocate for user-centered design.
“At IBM, accessibility is part of the ethos, but clients sometimes have competing priorities,” she explained. By focusing on foundational elements like color, typography, and user testing, Alex ensures that accessibility remains a key consideration in her work.
Expanding User Perspectives
One of the most critical aspects of accessibility is understanding the diversity of user needs. From her work on a dining hall app for university students to broader digital experiences, Alex emphasizes the importance of reaching out to real users for insights.
“You don’t know what you don’t know,” she said, highlighting the need to avoid assumptions. By engaging directly with users—whether through personal networks or structured research—designers can uncover insights that lead to more effective solutions.
Usability Over Compliance
For Alex, accessibility isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about creating genuinely inclusive experiences. “Compliance is level one,” she explained. “But compliance isn’t going to set anyone apart. Great user experiences come from going beyond the baseline.”
This perspective highlights a growing divide in the industry: organizations that view accessibility as a mandate versus those that see it as a pathway to better design.
The Role of AI in Accessibility
When discussing future disruptions, Alex pointed to artificial intelligence and machine learning. These technologies offer immense potential, from automated testing to creating nuanced personas. However, she noted the industry’s need to catch up and ensure AI is used responsibly in accessibility.
“AI can support the design process, but accessibility professionals must guide its development,” Alex emphasized. The challenge lies in ensuring that AI tools not only meet technical requirements but also address the nuanced needs of diverse user groups.
Physical and Digital Accessibility
While Alex’s current work focuses on digital design, she expressed a desire to revisit physical product design, particularly in civic tech and smart city projects. Her passion for creating inclusive public infrastructure stems from her senior thesis on mobile public restrooms, a topic that still resonates with her today.
“Designing for all types of physical abilities is just as important as digital accessibility,” Alex shared. She cited countries like Japan as inspirations for integrating beauty and usability into public spaces, noting how these principles could enhance infrastructure in places like New York City.
Closing Thoughts
For Alex, accessibility isn’t an add-on—it’s a core principle that should be embedded from the start. “Even if today is your day one, you need to take that first step,” she said, encouraging designers and organizations alike to prioritize inclusivity.
Her journey, from designing zoning tools for New Yorkers to consulting for global clients, underscores a simple truth: accessibility is about creating better experiences for everyone. Whether it’s through physical design, digital tools, or emerging technologies like AI, the impact of accessibility-first thinking is transformative.
Alex’s parting words encapsulate her ethos: “Good design is user-centered, inclusive, and always evolving. As designers, we’re lifelong learners—and there’s always more to learn in accessibility.”
