CoDesign Conversations: Creating Accessible Products & Services

Name: CoDesign Conversations: Creating Accessible Products & Services
Start: 2026-04-22T13:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-04-22T13:45:00-04:00

Join us on April 22 for our LinkedIn Live conversation series exploring the dynamic intersection of public and private sector innovation.

Illustration of a cellphone with text on the screen that reads, "THE LATEST," and an icon on either end of the phone that indicates a voice to text function and a volume button

Accessibility is not a feature; it is essential. In Episode 9 of CoDesign Conversations, we will explore the creation of accessible products and services, from practical implementation to organizational responsibility. The episode will highlight approaches that broaden access and remove barriers for people of all abilities.

Moderated by Melissa Casburn, Head of Innovation and Experience at Coforma, the discussion will bring together designers central to innovative projects in the accessibility space. Guest speakers include:

Homer Gaines is a designer, UI engineer, and certified accessibility professional with over 30 years of experience. With a background in behavioral psychology and neurology, Homer focuses on leading, promoting, and advancing accessibility at every stage in the product development lifecycle.
Janna Kimel is a UX Research contractor with Ascension and the Executive Director of the Chronic Pain Project. Throughout her career, Janna has championed accessibility, including launching two employee resource groups focused on both employee and consumer inclusion. Notably, she previously designed custom apparel for people with disabilities at Accessible Threads and shadowed Stephen Hawking to inform improvements to his Intel-provided computer. With a focus on health technology and wearables, she has worked with Intel, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hinge Health, and Dexcom. Janna holds a master’s degree in industrial design from Georgia Tech and has published extensively on accessibility, behavior change, and user research.
Lauren McAuliffe is a neurodivergent designer and advocate for inclusive and accessible experiences. Though visual design has been my focus for over a decade, she continues to expand my practice in user experience and strategy. Lauren has worked on projects for several industries, including finance, education, and healthcare. She is especially committed to the health and wellness space, where she brings an inclusive lens and trauma-informed design approach to create support and a sense of belonging.

April 22, 2026, 1pm ET / 10am PT | Live on LinkedIn

Join us for a solution-forward conversation, presented in partnership with Coforma, about the critical role of design in shaping a more accessible and equitable world.