Gareth Ford Williams founded and led the BBC’s Digital Accessibility team for 16 years, revolutionizing inclusive design with global-first innovations like the BBC Mobile Accessibility Guidelines and the Reith typeface. Today he is a director at Ab11y.com and The Readability Group
Episode Description
In this compelling conversation, Pedro is joined by accessibility leader Gareth Ford Williams. Gareth shares the powerful story of his journey, from a residential school for disabled children to his influential role shaping accessibility for millions at the BBC.
Discover the core principles of inclusive design and why Gareth argues that accessibility can never be an afterthought. The discussion takes a deep dive into the future of legislation with the European Accessibility Act (EAA), exploring its potential to fundamentally reshape the digital landscape for all users.
This episode is an essential listen for anyone in design, tech, product, or leadership, offering a clear look at how to build better, more inclusive products and services.
Main Discussed Topics
Understanding the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and Its Implications
The Importance of Branding and Inclusion
The Importance of Design in Accessibility
The Future of Accessibility and Community Responsibility
Takeaways
Accessibility is a personal journey shaped by experiences.
The BBC has a long history of advocating for accessibility.
User feedback is crucial for improving accessibility.
The EAA represents a significant step forward in accessibility legislation.
Organizations must prioritize user experience over compliance.
Community engagement is essential for driving change in accessibility.
Accessibility should be considered from the ideation stage.
There is no such thing as 100% accessibility; it’s an ongoing process.
Understanding the audience is key to effective accessibility solutions.
The EAA empowers individuals to hold organizations accountable for accessibility.
