Summary
In this talk, Bria, serving as an inclusive design Ops program manager, explores the multifaceted nature of inclusion, particularly within design operations. She acknowledges that inclusion has many valid definitions, urging the audience to consider their own interpretations while centering her definition around inclusive design—a process that aims to identify who might be excluded, including people with disabilities, different cultures, genders, and those with trauma experiences. Bria highlights the opportunity to collaborate with HR partners around diversity and inclusion (DNI) by focusing on shared goals rather than differences. She spotlights upcoming talks from Laura on accessibility, Pat and Alexandra on global design Ops, Monsey on feminist perspectives, and Jess on neurodiversity, illustrating inclusion's broad scope. Bria connects inclusion to the conference theme of building design Ops clarity, explaining that intentional inclusion helps prioritize work and make better decisions. She encourages design Ops professionals to lead these initiatives and offers a 'head, heart, and hands' framework—engaging logic, empathy, and action—to prepare for challenging conversations and implement practical steps immediately.
Key Insights
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Inclusive design focuses on the process of identifying who might be excluded, beyond just accessibility.
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Inclusion encompasses diverse dimensions such as disability, race, culture, gender, and trauma.
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Different teams define inclusion differently; collaboration is enhanced by finding common ground.
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Design Ops professionals are well-positioned to lead large inclusion initiatives.
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Intentional inclusion provides clarity for prioritizing design decisions and knowing when to say no.
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Conversations around inclusion can cause discomfort but are necessary for progress.
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The head, heart, and hands framework helps engage inclusion thoughtfully and practically.
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Upcoming talks will explore accessibility, global perspectives, feminist views, and neurodiversity.
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Inclusion efforts benefit from partnerships with HR and Diversity and Inclusion teams.
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Inclusion is not a single definition but a spectrum that can enrich design Ops when embraced.
Notable Quotes
"What do you mean by inclusion? There are so many different definitions and they're all valid."
"The guiding question I've adopted is who might we be excluding now."
"Accessibility is at the heart of inclusive design, but inclusive design is about the whole process."
"Look for the commonality in our definition of inclusion rather than how we define it differently."
"When we start being intentional about inclusion, we gain clarity."
"Design Ops professionals have the skills to lead these big initiatives like inclusion."
"Some of these talks might make people feel uncomfortable because we haven't had these conversations before."
"Head is where we're very logical and rational; heart is where we lead with vulnerability."
"Hands is the action part—we always get so many actionable things to do at this summit."
"Inclusion helps us understand what's important for the world and for people and helps us prioritize."
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