051: Accessible Design = Better Design with Derek Featherstone

051: Accessible Design = Better Design with Derek Featherstone

Author: Jason Ogle April 23, 2018 Duration: 53:14

Derek Featherstone teaches us how designing for people with disabilities is really just better design for everybody. He shows us how people with disabilities aren't different from us, they just use different tools to accomplish the same things. He encourages us to apply empathy to grow our skills in learning how to design for accessibility. He also reveals how taking small steps to incorporate something new into our design process could change everything.

  • Origin Story (5:53)
  • What Were Your "Aha" Moments? (12:02)
  • Why Do We Tend to Forget About Disabled Users? (17:15)
  • Tools Disabled Folks Use to Navigate (20:47)
  • Accessibility, Greater Than Aesthetics (31:37)
  • Has Designing for Accessibility Ever Made Things Worse for Majority of "Able" Users? (36:14)
  • Story of Biggest Triumph in Designing for Inclusivity + Accessibility (42:36)
  • What's a Roadmap for Learning this Stuff? (44:56)
  • Contact Info (47:35)

Check out the detailed show notes and Eli Jorgensen's astonishing superhero artwork at userdefenders.com/051

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Hosted by Jason Ogle, User Defenders-UX Design & Personal Growth operates on a simple but profound idea: exceptional design work flows from a foundation of personal well-being and clarity. It’s a conversation that bridges the technical craft of user experience with the inner work of growth, resilience, and self-awareness. Each episode moves beyond surface-level tutorials to explore the deeper motivations and ethical considerations behind our design choices. You’ll hear from practitioners who discuss not only their process and techniques but also the challenges, failures, and philosophies that shape their approach to both their work and their lives. This podcast provides a unique space where the professional and personal intersect, offering insights that equip you to advocate more effectively for users while also navigating your own career path with intention. The dialogue consistently returns to the human element-the person behind the designer-arguing that sustainable creativity and leadership require a full cup. Tuning in feels less like a lecture and more like joining a thoughtful community dedicated to meaningful work and growth, making it an essential listen for anyone in the field looking to deepen their impact.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

User Defenders – UX Design & Personal Growth
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