Inclusive Research Practices as Engine for Implementing Accessibility in your organization.

In this presentation, I will share our journey at Roche, where we have been committed to making digital accessibility a core part of our everyday practices. As a member of the team responsible for implementing Digital Accessibility Program, I will discuss how our efforts go beyond just meeting technical requirements.

During presentation, I'll refer to scientific literature and research on accessibility models and programs. I'll introduce theoretical frameworks for inclusive research and design, which are often neglected in accessibility discussions. These frameworks have guided us in developing a comprehensive and thoughtful accessibility strategy.

A key part of our journey has been a participatory design project with Roche employees. Participatory group built, drafted, and tested our first Digital Accessibility Policy. They work showed us that understanding your situation first is a key factor to implement meaningful change. During presentation i would refer to our case-study and findings we've done, as they may be also a learnings for whole DE&I and Accessibility community, especially during the ""not-so-welcoming"" US administration.

The main message of this presentation is that simply following accessibility technical requirements, off-shelf models may be just not enough to create meaningful change in an *especially: big or world-wide) organization. True transformation requires guiding principles grounded in inclusive research. These principles ensure that accessibility is not just a checklist but a lived practice that benefits everyone.

Join me as I share our experiences, the challenges we faced, and the successes we achieved by prioritizing participation and inclusive research. Learn how you can apply these insights to drive accessibility and inclusion in your own organization.