Making software inclusive by design

EVENT INFO

We break down the know-how of building accessible digital products through a personal story and expert insights on digital inclusivity and UX/UI design.

Have you ever considered the significant impact of software accessibility? It’s not just a niche concern. In fact, 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the world’s population, encounter some form of disability. To encourage you to develop digital products accessible to everyone, we’ve invited Gal Jakič, a web developer turned product & project manager and a Paralympian. He’ll discuss building accessible web apps, the A11Y project, and the tools it offers to developers and designers. Our designers and our product owner will also cover the basics of digital inclusivity and share best practices for designing products that leave no user behind.

Intro to digital inclusivity

Ana Šekerija

Product Owner, Infinum

Meet Ana, a valued team member for six years who began her journey in QA and has now assumed the role of Product Owner. With experience spanning from Fintech to IoT, Ana has contributed to various projects, consistently emphasizing the importance of accessibility. Two years ago, she started to lead our agency’s accessibility initiatives, dedicated to crafting inclusive and user-friendly products. Ana’s commitment transcends her official responsibilities as she actively promotes awareness within our teams.

In this lecture, Ana will:

1

Break down digital accessibility basics

2

Stress the importance of accessibility for everyone

3

Provide a brief overview of regulations

4

Shed light on Infinum’s ongoing accessibility commitment


Building accessible web apps

Gal Jakič

Product & Project Manager, Acenta

Gal Jakič is a product and project manager at Acenta. He started his journey in tech back in 2006 by developing WordPress websites and transitioned into the tech industry full-time in 2016. He got into web development to help people who lack technical knowledge leverage technology to achieve their business goals. In addition to his tech career, Gal has a remarkable athletic background. Between 2005 and 2014, he was a member of the Slovene Para-Alpine Ski Team, proudly representing Slovenia in the Paralympic Winter Games in 2006, 2010, and 2014. As a wheelchair user himself, and with many of his friends and Paralympian colleagues relying on accessibility tools daily, Gal understands the importance of accessibility first-hand and advocates for its prioritization in software development.

In this lecture, Gal will:

1

Share his personal journey into web development

2

Discuss the importance of accessibility from a business standpoint

3

Provide an overview of the tools the A11Y project offers to developers and designers

4

Explain how A11Y fits in the software development lifecycle


Designing products for everyone

Ana Valjak

UX / UI Designer, Infinum

Ana is a skilled designer who shifted from creating visual identities to shaping interfaces six years ago. Although her passion for visuals persisted, the design landscape evolved. What was once static design transformed into a series of complex interactions and experiences. Her expertise includes building UI foundations, establishing comprehensive design systems, and enhancing user experiences across various mobile apps, web apps, and websites. Ana is committed to understanding and advancing inclusive product design. Teaming up with Emanuel, she actively participates in Infinum’s internal accessibility initiative, playing a vital role in raising awareness within their design team

Emanuel Loborec

UX / UI Designer, Infinum

Introducing Emanuel, a designer with a distinctive blend of engineering and design expertise. With a profound passion for technology and a comprehensive understanding of both engineering and design, Emanuel has dedicated his Infinum career to our IoT projects. Recently, he has taken the lead in championing a company-wide accessibility initiative: Emanuel has integrated accessibility into the design team’s processes, ensuring that every product is not only cutting-edge but also inclusive and user-friendly for individuals with disabilities.

In this lecture, Ana and Emanuel will:

1

Guide you through common accessibility challenges in digital products

2

Walk you through the process of designing inclusive software

3

Demonstrate how to incorporate those A11y challenges into the design workflow

4

Share useful tools and resources – including our Handbook

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