Following my blog Inclusive Design is Design, I was interviewed by Matthew Oliphant , whom I know from way back in the 9rules days, for his new show We Can Do Better.

This show is for people who want to make their products and services better. We explore ideas and practices to understand how we can all do better. Topics will include business, product design, service design, UX, and the occasional silliness.

It’s a two-part interview where we talk about inclusiveness, front-end coding and other musings.

“Inclusivity is for Everyone”

When I talk about inclusivity and accessibility, something I’m passionate about, time flies. The interview is very casual, we talk about real life examples and how to get people and companies to be more inclusive. The only thing missing was snacks and drinks, I truly enjoyed chatting with Matthew about these subjects.

It’s the second time I give an interview from my personal point of view. The first one I did in the summer last year for a podcast about chronic illness and disability. It hasn’t gone online yet. And now this one that I did last week. If you know me or have read my blogs, you know I always get personal in my storytelling, to a certain degree.

Giving interviews is new to me and thus has a learning curve to it. Considering I’m an expert by experience, I always feel extra vulnerable when talking about inclusion. Also, we humans are in constant state of change. Opinions I have now may change later. There is also the fact that I won’t remember months later, let alone years later what I talked about.

I suppose now I’ll have to add a disclaimer here on my site for in the future: “Opinions are subjected to change over time.” Or as an Offscreen magazine sticker I have says: “Strong opinions, loosely held”

Practicing what we preach

Matthew provides subtitles for all his videos, which is awesome. He showed me the process, it’s a lot of work, but the payback is worth it. Hard of hearing people, deaf people and people with their sound on mute can all follow along.

Lack of subtitles is a huge pet peeve of mine ­– especially with people who talk about accessibility and inclusiveness, but don’t practice it themselves. All those times I come across a video or podcast, focused on accessibility and inclusiveness but yet they provide no subtitles or transcripts. Not to mention most podcasts and videos. Look at one of the Queer Eye Fab Five, Karamo Brown. He subtitles his Instagram videos. Be like Karamo.

Subtitles/transcripts are 101 basics of accessibility.

But I digress. Watch the interview right now or put it on your playlist for your next commute or bubble bath and listen (or read) about my experience with inclusiveness in the real world and other ramblings of ours.