A couple of episodes ago, I mentioned that the topics of accessibility and inclusion are near and dear to my heart. Here’s why:
My uncle is a hard working, independent member of society who happens to have been born with physical and cognitive disabilities. He participated in a school for children with disabilities until the age of 21, where he was surrounded by a supportive community who taught him life skills, including how to read and write, how to understand practical math, and most importantly, how to be independent after completing school.
Before the pandemic in March 2020, my uncle volunteered at the same primary school for more than 23 years, having been celebrated by both his school and the city in which he lives for his work. He helped teachers with tasks like photocopying, reading with Kindergarteners, and maintaining the staff room. In addition, he owns his own home and cooks and cleans for himself. This is only possible because he’s treated like an equal, feels valued, and is included by his community. I couldn’t be more proud of everything he’s accomplished and I am so grateful to the ways that inclusivity legislation continues to remove barriers for so many.
---
Today’s guest is Josh Skinner. Josh is a fellow Registered Graphic Designer, post-secondary instructor and senior product designer with ten years of experience in the industry. Having worked in a variety of sectors, from creative agencies to major financial institutions like the Bank of Montreal, Josh has expertise in creating effective design solutions for complex problems. He is passionate about equity and accessibility, and continually educates himself on these topics to advocate for inclusive design. He is a proponent of always asking “why” in his work, and he will never settle for solutions just because they are easy.
Take it away Josh, please tell us a little more about yourself and how you came to be an accessible design advocate.
About Our Guest:
I am a senior product designer with ten years of experience in the design industry. Having worked in a variety of sectors, from creative agencies to major financial institutions like the Bank of Montreal, I have expertise in creating effective design solutions for complex problems. I am passionate about equity and accessibility, and continually educate myself on these topics to advocate for inclusive design. I am a proponent of always asking “why” in my work, and will never settle for solutions just because they are easy. I am also an educator and have taught graphic design principles and digital imaging at the post-secondary level for four years. I have won design awards from Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) and Centennial College, and I was an Ontario College Premier’s Award nominee.
Music (public domain via freesound.org): Kesta - Aced It
Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music: Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle
Episode Artwork: Canva (remixed by Diana Varma)