Beyond Barriers with Alexa
In the latest episode of the Beyond Barriers podcast, we sat down with Alexa Cruz, a senior visual and UX/UI designer. The conversation delved into the complexities of accessibility in the design world, offering insights into Alexa's journey, her challenges, and the successes she's achieved in promoting inclusive design practices.
College to Leading Design Accessibility Initiatives
Alexa Cruz’s journey into the world of accessibility began during her college years when she attended a talk on the subject. "For me, it was amazing. I really enjoyed that experience," Alexa shared, reflecting on how that initial exposure sparked her interest. Her career took a significant turn when she joined Amazon, where she and her colleague Sharon identified a need for better color usage among designers. They developed training to address this, underscoring the importance of standardizing color choices to enhance design accessibility.
Design Accessibility Standardization
Working with a global team presents unique challenges, especially when it comes to standardizing accessibility practices. Alexa described the experience as a "huge learning curve," noting that design accessibility is not just about colors but involves a myriad of factors. This effort involved sharing tools like the Color Analyzer and Adobe Color, which are crucial for ensuring proper color contrast and website accessibility compliance.
The Personal Impact of Design Accessibility Advocacy
For Alexa, advocating for accessibility is not just a professional duty but a personal mission. "Everyone deserves to have access to the information, no matter who you are, no matter your context or your disability," she stated passionately. This belief drives her work and has transformed her into a better designer and person. She emphasized that design accessibility should not be an afterthought but a fundamental aspect of design, stating, "For me right now, it's not an option. It's a must."
Overcoming Challenges
One of the most significant challenges Alexa faced was educating clients about the importance of design accessibility. She recounted instances where clients resisted making necessary changes, such as altering color palettes or font choices to improve legibility. Despite these hurdles, she persevered, often having to assert her professional recommendations. "Sometimes I receive a no as an answer, and which is sad, but it is what it is," she admitted.
The Future of Design Accessibility
Looking ahead, Alexa sees collaboration and the integration of website accessibility across various disciplines as key to advancing the field. She also mentioned that younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are more conscious about inclusivity and website accessibility, which bodes well for the future.
Conclusion
As the conversation wrapped up, Alexa reiterated her belief that accessibility is essential and achievable. "It's easy at the end. And it can be tricky at the beginning, but it's like... if you are a business owner or if you are a brand that don't take into consideration the accessibility, probably you are losing sales." Her message is clear: embracing accessibility is not just about compliance but about creating better experiences for everyone.
Alexa’s journey serves as an inspiration for others in the accessibility design and tech industries to prioritize accessibility and make it an integral part of their practices.
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