Accessibility as Culture Change: How Agile Can Drive Systemic Inclusion Welcome back, equity champions! In our journey so far, we’ve embedded accessibility into stories, sprints, personas, dashboards, and release cycles. But now we zoom out and ask the big question: How does accessibility become not just something we do, but something we believe? It begins […]
Gulen Yilmaz
Gulen is a passionate and detail-oriented Software Digital Web and Native Accessibility Specialist, recognized for delivering high-quality, inclusive digital experiences. With deep expertise in Section 508 and WCAG compliance, she ensures that both web and native applications (iOS, Android, and Tablet) meet rigorous accessibility standards. Over the past four years as part of the Perficient Detroit Business Unit, Gulen has contributed to the success of cross-functional teams through her strong communication, problem-solving, and testing skills. Her favorite part of the job is collaborating with clients to create inclusive products, ensuring no one is left out, regardless of ability.
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Blogs from this Author
The Intersection of Agile and Accessibility – Maintaining Accessibility Momentum in Agile Roadmaps
Agile promises continuous improvement. But when it comes to accessibility, improvement often plateaus once initial barriers are addressed. How do we keep equity and inclusion alive, not just during sprints, but across quarters, product phases, and organizational shifts? It starts with embedding accessibility not just in rituals, but in roadmaps. What We Mean By “Accessibility […]
The Intersection of Agile and Accessibility – Designing Accessible Agile Artifacts
Welcome back, advocates of equity-driven design! If you’ve been following the series, you’ve already seen how accessibility can transform Agile workflows, from user stories and CI pipelines to ceremonies and culture. But here’s a question we don’t ask often enough: Are our Agile artifacts usable by everyone on the team? Let’s explore how to craft […]
The Intersection of Agile and Accessibility – Agile Accessibility Champions
Building Advocacy into Team Culture Welcome back! We’ve explored personas, KPIs, inclusive ceremonies, and more. But without sustained advocacy, even the best practices can fade. That’s where Accessibility Champions come in, quietly powering momentum, culture, and accountability. These champions aren’t always official roles. Sometimes they’re developers who raise accessibility flags in standup, designers who rethink […]
The Intersection of Agile and Accessibility – Facilitating Inclusive Agile Ceremonies
Agile ceremonies are meant to foster collaboration, transparency, and alignment. But when voices go unheard or participation feels risky, those goals fall short. Inclusive Agile ceremonies remove barriers and elevate contribution, from every team member. The Participation Problem Common ceremony hurdles: Meetings dominated by a few loud voices Barriers to participation (sensory, cognitive, social) Lack […]
The Intersection of Agile and Accessibility – Measuring Accessibility as a Team KPI
Welcome back! So far, we’ve explored inclusive personas, accessible testing, story writing, and the core principles that connect Agile to accessibility. Now we ask: How do we measure what matters, not just what’s easy? Why Accessibility KPIs Belong in Agile Agile teams measure velocity, sprint goals, and user satisfaction. But accessibility? It’s often buried under […]
The Intersection of Agile and Accessibility – Creating Inclusive Personas for Agile Teams
Welcome back to our ongoing series that explores how Agile practices and Accessibility principles converge to create products and systems that serve everyone. So far, we’ve explored foundational definitions, inclusive story writing, and accessibility testing in CI. Today’s focus? A tool Agile teams often rely on, but rarely challenge: personas. What Are Personas in Agile? […]
The Intersection of Agile and Accessibility – Accessibility Testing in Continuous Integration
Welcome back to our series exploring the fusion of Agile principles and Accessibility practices to create products that serve everyone. In the last post, we talked about writing inclusive user stories and acceptance criteria, how the right narratives shape more equitable outcomes. Today, we move from writing stories to testing them at scale, exploring how […]
The Intersection of Agile and Accessibility – Writing Inclusive User Stories and Acceptance Criteria
Welcome back to our session on Agile and Accessibility, where we bring together two powerful forces in inclusive product development. This marks the beginning of a brand-new series. The Intersection of Agile and Accessibility is dedicated to exploring how teams can design, build, and deliver digital experiences that truly work for everyone. Whether you’re a […]
The Intersection of Agile and Accessibility – A Series on Designing for Everyone
Welcome to the first entry in our new series exploring the synergy between Agile methodologies and Accessibility practices, and how their union can lead to more inclusive, equitable, and universally usable outcomes. In today’s post, we’ll lay the groundwork by asking: What are Agile and Accessibility? And more importantly, why does their intersection matter? What […]
From Accommodation to Expectation – How Inclusive Design Becomes Universal
Good design doesn’t just solve problems, it anticipates needs. At its best, design quietly adapts to the full spectrum of human experience, often without fanfare. That’s the power of inclusive design: it begins by addressing specific challenges for people with disabilities, and over time, becomes a universal standard that benefits everyone. Designing for the Margins […]
From Inclusive Design to Universal Design – Building a Foundation for Everyone
At first glance, Inclusive Design and Universal Design may seem like interchangeable terms. But dig deeper, and you’ll find a dynamic relationship—one where Inclusive Design creates multiple pathways, and Universal Design weaves them into seamless solutions that work for everyone. Understanding this progression helps us design with more intention, empathy, and impact. What Is Inclusive […]