You're advocating for accessibility in Information Architecture. How can you engage stakeholders effectively?

Engaging stakeholders in the importance of accessibility within Information Architecture (IA) starts with education. Stakeholders need to understand that accessible design is not only about adhering to standards like WCAG but also about fostering inclusivity and enhancing user experience. Clear and intuitive navigation benefits everyone, including users with disabilities. By highlighting these advantages, stakeholders are more likely to support accessibility initiatives. Engage them through workshops and discussions that underline the broader reach and improved usability accessible IA provides, setting a robust foundation for informed decision-making and collaboration.

Consult stakeholders by including them at the beginning of the planning stage, by explaining organizational commitments towards accessibility and by using accompanying examples of how this can be designed into projects without delaying or over costing. Reinforce the concept of accessible web through constant reporting and showing how these adaptations will pay off, to sustain support of major stakeholders. If the commitment for accessibility is viewed as everyone’s responsibility and the benefits explained, it becomes easier to develop a culture of accessible design.

Share statistics on how many people live with disabilities and explain how confusing or poorly designed products can cause them to stop using them. Use clear examples or videos to show how people with disabilities struggle with inaccessible websites or apps, helping others understand their frustrations.

Ensuring accessibility for all users is crucial in information architecture. This involves considering individuals with various impairments and using precise language when addressing stakeholders. Sharing real-life examples and data-driven insights can help advocate for accessibility. Collaboration and ongoing engagement with stakeholders are essential. It's important to address concerns about cost and resources proactively. Overall, maintaining a commitment to accessibility fosters inclusivity in Information Architecture.

Before discussing technical details, it's crucial to ensure stakeholders understand the importance of accessibility in Information Architecture (IA). Accessible design benefits everyone, not just individuals with disabilities, by creating clearer, more intuitive navigation pathways. It's more than complying with guidelines like WCAG—it's about fostering inclusivity and expanding your audience. Educating stakeholders on the foundational value of accessible IA establishes a strong base of support and commitment. By framing accessibility as a way to enhance the overall user experience and reach, you build a compelling case for its importance in product design.

When discussing accessibility, emphasize its tangible benefits: an accessible Information Architecture (IA) enhances customer satisfaction by making systems easier to use for everyone. This improved usability can lead to a larger market share and reduced legal risks by ensuring compliance with accessibility standards. Additionally, a more inclusive IA boosts overall user experience, which can drive better engagement metrics and foster customer loyalty. For stakeholders focused on the bottom line, these benefits underscore that investing in accessibility not only fulfills ethical and legal obligations but also positively impacts business performance and growth.

Show examples of successful companies, including competitors, that gained more customers, stronger loyalty, and a better reputation by making their products easy for everyone to use. These businesses grew by improving usability for all and attracting a more diverse workforce, which led to new ideas and better results. Accessible products help more people, create a fair experience, and benefit society. They also reduce legal risks by following accessibility laws, keeping companies safe and compliant while making a positive impact.

- Increased Satisfaction: Explain how accessible IA improves usability for all, leading to happier, more engaged customers. - Market Expansion: Highlight how inclusivity widens the audience, opening doors to new customer segments. - Risk Mitigation: Stress that accessibility reduces legal risks associated with non-compliance. - Loyalty and Metrics: Show that improved accessibility boosts engagement and fosters customer loyalty, benefiting the business. Focusing on these tangible outcomes creates a compelling case for stakeholders to invest in accessibility from both a user experience and business perspective.

What I love about advocating for accessibility is highlighting its far-reaching benefits. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about making products that work better for everyone. For example, in a project for a telecommunications client, we made the site more accessible by simplifying navigation and adding keyboard-friendly features. This not only helped users with disabilities but also improved the overall user experience for the broader audience, especially for those using the site in challenging environments like low-light or noisy settings. The client saw a noticeable boost in user satisfaction and even reported a drop in bounce rates.

To get stakeholders on board with making your IA more accessible, start by showing them real examples of how accessibility issues affect users. Share stories or videos of people struggling with inaccessible designs. Explain how making things accessible can benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities, by improving overall usability. Highlight any legal requirements and potential risks of not being accessible. Finally, show how accessibility can open up your product to a wider audience, which can lead to more users and better business outcomes. Keep the conversation positive and focused on the benefits. A common accessibility issue is poor color contrast. This happens when the text color and the background color are too similar.

Encourage stakeholders to interact with user groups, especially those with disabilities, to get real, unfiltered insights into the challenges they face. This hands-on experience builds empathy and a deeper understanding of why accessible design isn’t just nice-to-have—it's essential. Plus, user feedback is pure gold for refining IA to meet everyone's needs, ensuring your system isn't just functional but truly inclusive.

Engaging stakeholders in the IA process requires more than just presenting data—it demands empathy and inclusion. Involving real users, particularly those from underrepresented or disabled groups, can reshape perspectives and foster a deeper understanding of the importance of accessibility. By encouraging stakeholders to engage directly with these users, you not only promote better design decisions but also highlight the real-world impact of inclusive IA. It's about transforming the design process from a technical exercise into a human-centered mission, ensuring the needs of all users are met effectively.

Nothing beats hearing directly from users. I always involve people with different accessibility needs from the start. In one project redesigning a health care app, we included users who relied on screen readers, and their feedback was invaluable. They pointed out things we hadn’t considered, like how the order of information is presented audibly. By co-designing with them, we avoided potential usability pitfalls and created a product that truly worked for everyone. It was a humbling and eye-opening experience that I encourage in all my projects.

Identifying target users, inviting them to engage and share their experiences add irreplaceable value to the ?A process. Their meeting with stakeholders makes stakeholders see the world through their eyes and understand better.

In my experience that stakeholders who are opposed to implementing accessible IA features misunderstand their audience, and how many people have accessibility issues. Occasionally I have heard clients say that their customers don’t have accessibility challenges, so it’s not something they want to address or spend money on. To counter this it’s important to explain to them that huge numbers of people rely on these features to interact with digital products, and how they cross all demographics and personas. Supporting them is good for business, and shows that an organization cares about its customers. In my experience, the benefits of building an accessible product far outweighs the cost and effort.

Many stakeholders fear that accessibility requires an overhaul of systems, but integrating it into existing workflows can be seamless. Accessibility isn't just an additional feature—it's a foundational aspect that ensures inclusive design. By embedding accessibility from the start, you avoid larger costs later. Moreover, the risks of not being accessible, from lost opportunities to legal challenges, far outweigh the upfront investment. The goal is to foster buy-in through open dialogue and by demonstrating the long-term value for both users and the business.

It's not a solo effort—every stakeholder in the organization should be involved. From Business to Design, Engineering, Sales, and Legal, everyone needs to collaborate. Work closely with each team, share how they can contribute, and ensure that everyone understands their role in making this happen. Teamwork is key to successful implementation.

When it comes to accessibility in Information Architecture, teamwork is your best ally. Start by making it clear that accessible design isn’t just about ticking boxes—it's a long-term investment. Engage stakeholders from day one, integrating accessibility into the project timeline and budget. Break the process into achievable milestones, ensuring everyone's on board and understands the value it brings. By planning together, you’re not just building a better system—you’re fostering a shared responsibility for success.