Accessibility at Scale

Embedding Accessibility into Design Systems, Tools, and Workflows

Context

Accessibility efforts existed, but they were often inconsistent and dependent on individual knowledge or passion. Designers and engineers wanted to do the right thing, but there was no shared framework, tooling clarity, or roadmap to make accessibility a scalable, repeatable practice.

Accessibility needed to move from reactive fixes to intentional systems.

Problem

  • Accessibility knowledge varied widely across teams

  • Tools and methods were fragmented or unclear

  • Accessibility checks often happened late in the process

  • There was no shared roadmap or governance model

Without structure, accessibility work didn’t scale or sustain.

My Role

Design Program Manager / Design Operations Lead (Accessibility Enablement)

I led accessibility enablement from a systems perspective—partnering with Design, Engineering, and Product to define frameworks, tools, and governance that embedded accessibility into everyday workflows.

What I Built

I created a clear accessibility framework that aligned design and engineering practices. The framework focused on:

  • When accessibility should be considered across the lifecycle

  • How teams should think about inclusive design

  • Shared responsibilities across roles

Accessibility Framework

Tools & Methods Inventory

To reduce friction and confusion, I documented and organized accessibility tools by role, including:

  • Design tools and checks

  • Engineering tools and validation methods

  • Guidance on when and how to use each tool

This made accessibility more approachable and actionable.

I developed a capability-based roadmap that outlined:

  • Current accessibility maturity

  • Near-term improvements

  • Longer-term investments and governance

This helped teams understand accessibility as a journey, not a one-time task.

Accessibility Roadmap

Impact

Established a shared, repeatable approach to AI agents

  • Reduced fragmentation and duplication across AI efforts

  • Enabled teams to confidently design and deploy agents

  • Positioned AI as an operational capability rather than an experiment

Most importantly, teams could focus on solving real problems, not figuring out where to start.

What I’d Do Next

With additional time, I would:

  • Integrate deeper automation between agents and core systems

  • Introduce more usage and performance signals

  • Expand enablement beyond Design into broader product team

Tools & Methods

AI enablement · Program frameworks · Agent lifecycle design · Cross-functional alignment · Knowledge systems · Governance models · Change management