As a UX/UI designer, I quickly realized that accessibility isn’t just about meeting guidelines—it’s about truly understanding and empathizing with users. It’s about creating experiences that allow everyone, regardless of their background or ability, to engage confidently and independently with a product or service.
One of the most rewarding projects I’ve worked on was with Special Olympics Ontario, a non-profit that helps individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport. This project deepened my understanding of accessibility and fundamentally changed the way I approach design—especially in terms of making systems more empowering.
When I first got involved, Special Olympics Ontario was facing significant challenges with its athlete and volunteer onboarding process. The forms were complicated, and people were falling through the cracks. What struck me most, though, was seeing the frustration of the athletes themselves. Many depended on others to complete their sign-ups, which made the process feel disempowering. Athletes wanted to sign up independently, but the system didn’t support that. I realized how crucial it was for them to have ownership over the process, so I made it my mission to redesign the experience with that goal in mind.
I spent time speaking with athletes and volunteers, listening to their pain points and challenges with the current system. Some had cognitive or visual impairments, making it even harder to navigate the forms. I knew the solution wasn’t just about simplifying the process—it was about empowering them to complete it independently. This meant creating a clearer interface, using larger text and high contrast, and designing a natural step-by-step flow.
The changes weren’t just about improving accessibility for people with disabilities; they were about creating a process that was inclusive for everyone. By removing barriers in the design, I ensured that athletes, regardless of their abilities, could interact with the system meaningfully. It was incredible to see how much the athletes appreciated being able to take control of their own sign-ups. They didn’t feel like passive participants—they felt empowered and in charge of their own journey.
This experience taught me a crucial lesson: designing for accessibility isn’t just about supporting a specific group of people—it’s about giving everyone the tools to engage with the world on their own terms. It’s about ensuring equal opportunities for all users to participate and thrive, regardless of their challenges.
The key takeaway is that accessibility equals empowerment. When we design with accessibility in mind, we’re not just improving usability for a select group—we’re giving all users the opportunity to interact with products and services in a way that feels personal and authentic. For me, design isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about creating opportunities.
