Play 2: Set Guiding Principles

You’re working to assure the innovative technology you’re creating is accessible and inclusive of all potential users. It only makes sense that you should make every aspect of your initiative accessible and inclusive—from the people who lead the project, to how you communicate, to the platforms you use.

Larry GoldbergLarry Goldberg, Founding Member of XR Access and Teach Access, and Head of Accessibility, Verizon Media

Guiding principles drive the value system of your initiative and help direct your decision-making, ensuring you stay true to your vision. These principles represent basic truths that endure regardless of how your initiative can evolve over time. As you aim to develop accessible emerging technology, accessibility and inclusivity should be at the forefront of everything you do—from how you communicate to the resources you create.

XR Access Guiding Principles

Inclusivity

As advocates for accessible emerging technology, we truly understand the importance of involving people with disabilities in our work—contributing their expertise and experience each step of the way; people with disabilities are members of XR Access at all levels of the community, including in our leadership team and as participants in XR Access working groups.

Accessible Communication

We aim to make our communications as accessible as possible and create a space in which everyone can participate in the Initiative; we take care in releasing information that is accessible to everyone and creating a space where participants are able to effectively contribute to and engage with our work and request additional accommodations as needed.

A Safe
Environment

We strive to create a safe and collaborative environment in which the voices of those involved in XR Access are respected, valued, and understood.

TIPS

  • Identify Your Core Values: Write down the core values you want to drive your initiative. For inspiration, think of the values that drive a well-respected organization or a person you admire.
  • Take a Page from Your Own Book: Your guiding principles should be rooted in accessibility and inclusive design and built around a philosophy that ensures anyone participating in your initiative is supported and heard, making them feel included and committed to your effort.
  • Draft Your Principles: Refer to your Vision Statement to draft your guiding principles, making sure they’re in alignment. Your principles might be focused on honoring the input of diverse perspectives or fostering cross-sector partnerships.
  • Keep them Close: Post a copy of your principles in a place where you can easily view them. They can act as a friendly reminder of what’s at the core of your initiative and keep you motivated.
  • Share them with Others: Share your principles with those supporting your effort and publish them where others can read them (for example, your website). This enables users and stakeholders to understand what’s under the hood of your initiative and fosters understanding of what propels your effort.

Guiding Questions to Get You Started:

  1. What are your core values and how do they apply to your initiative?
  2. What experience do you want others to have when collaborating to support your effort?
  3. Why is accessibility and inclusive design important to you?
  4. Are your guiding principles consistent with your vision?
  5. How can you keep your guiding principles at the forefront for design and development? Where will you share them and with whom will you share them?
Continue to Play 3: Structure Your Initiative