Accessibility & Inclusive Design for Developers

Designed and led team to create a GitHub Action that scanned 50K+ repository Read Me files to ensure they met accessibility rules that were established. Positioning Intel as a leader in developer inclusivity

Role

Product Design, UX Design

Team

Product Manager, Developers, Accessibility Experts

Tools

GitHub, Markdown, VoiceOver, Markdownlint, Figma, Azure Data Explorer, PowerPoint, ClipChamp, Jira

Executive Summary

The initiative enhanced the accessibility of Intel's GitHub repositories, making them more usable for developers with disabilities. Another goal was to position Intel as a leader in inclusivity within the tech community, setting new benchmarks in accessibility. This was one of Intel's commitment to the GLAAD pledge.

85% improvement
WCAG Compliance
Inclusive
Design Patterns
50K+
GitHub Repos scanned
90% Reduction
Accessibility Issues

The Tension Points

Accessibility Barriers

GitHub Readmes are the door to the repository for developers to get started in their development journey. only 15% of our internal repositories had accessibile Readmes.

Intel to take GAAD (Global Accessibility Awareness Day) pledge

Every year Intel takes the pledge to make accessibility a priority. We needed to make sure we were meeting the pledge.

Limited knowledge in Inclusive Design

Most engineering teams were note trained in inclusive design and accessibility. Nor knew how to take action to improve accessibility.

Strategic Approach

Creation of the Accessibile Readme

Conducted interviews with accessibility experts and users with disabilities. Analyzed existing tools and guidelines. Created set of rules to ensure the Readme was accessible.

Comprehensive Accessibility Audit

Conducted thorough accessibility audits using opensource linter tool adapted to our requirements to identify issues.

Dashboard Design for Displaying Results

Created design for Azure Data Explorer to display results in a way that is easy to understand and act on.

Process & Methodology

Accessible Readme Creation

Interviewed accessibility experts and users with disabilities to create accessible Readme guidelines and rules.

Accessibility Audit

Used opensource linter tools to conduct thorough accessibility audits and identify barriers.

Dashboard Design

Designed Azure Data Explorer dashboard to display accessibility results clearly for stakeholders.

Impact

50K+ Readmes More Accessible

Readmes are now more accessible to developers with disabilities.

Before Accessibility Initiative

  • Accessibility barriers
  • Complex accessibility guidelines and standards
  • Difficulty in identifying and fixing issues
  • Limited knowledge of inclusive design practices
  • Lack of automated testing tools

After Accessibility Initiative

  • WCAG compliant
  • Readmes automatically scanned for accessibility issues
  • Issues are displayed in a dashboard for easy identification and fixing
  • Awareness of accessibility issues and how to fix them

Visual Assets

Accessibility Overview

Overview of accessibility improvements and inclusive design patterns

WCAG Compliance

WCAG compliance implementation and accessibility guidelines

Inclusive Design

Inclusive design patterns and universal usability solutions

User Experience

Enhanced user experience through accessibility improvements

Tools & Technologies

Figma

Design & Prototyping

Accessibility Testing

WCAG Compliance

WCAG Guidelines

Accessibility Standards

Markdownlint

GitHub Tools Open Source