Accessibility matters….
because people interact with the world in different ways. It removes barriers and builds understanding to help everyone access, learn, and participate fully. When we design with accessibility in mind, we create experiences that welcome more people.
My Accessibility Videos
Video 1: “Marisa and a11y and Inclusion (with ASL)”
My personal success story highlights the real impact of accessibility and accommodations. This video shows how simple, thoughtful a11y practices can completely change someone’s experience and reducing barriers, so people canshow up as their best selves.
Video 2: “How To Communicate with Someone with ASD”
I explain how to communicate thoughtfully and effectively with someone on the autism spectrum. In this video, I share practical, respectful tips that can help improve understanding, strengthen connections, and create more inclusive conversations.
Video 3: “PowerPoint Accessibility”
I walk through the why and how of creating accessible PowerPoint presentations that work seamlessly with screen-readers. From good text contrast to logically ordered slides and clear alt-text, I show practical tips that make your content inclusive, usable, and powerful for everyone.
Accessibility Summer
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About the Project
Over the summer of 2025, I conducted weekly accessibility audits across a variety of websites from healthcare and higher education to media and finance. My goal was to deepen my hands-on testing experience and see how real users, especially those relying on assistive technology, interact with digital spaces.
Each week I explored a new organization’s site, assessing it through manual keyboard navigation and screen reader use. I looked beyond automated scans to uncover the subtle barriers that affect usability and inclusion.
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How I Structured the Project
I started with the Duke Accessibility Checklist, adapting it into a version that worked best for my own testing flow. Each audit included screenshots, notes, and observations about both strong practices and areas for improvement. I selected companies that represented a mix of personal connections (GBH and Bridgewater State University), professional goals (Included Health and Fidelity), and curiosity (Netflix and Bose).
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What I Learned
Accessibility isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention, awareness, and consistency. Through this project, I learned that inclusive design comes from listening to users, testing thoughtfully, and treating accessibility as an ongoing conversation.
I am happy to share more detail on my learnings, so if you are interested feel free to reach out to me.