Beyond “belonging”: The crucial role of UX in championing true inclusion

As early as June 2024, organizations began removing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives from their policies and practices. Some companies eliminated all traces of DEI. Others replaced it with the concept of "Belonging.”

However, "Belonging" often reinforces exclusion by allowing those in power to decide who fits in, creating boundaries that prevent access rather than fostering true inclusion. In this talk, we’ll explore how UX professionals can challenge exclusionary practices and discuss actionable strategies for championing inclusivity through craft—from embedding inclusive design principles to leveraging data-driven insights.

You’ll learn how to:

• Explain why “Belonging” falls short of true inclusivity.
• Advocate for inclusivity in ways that align with organizational goals.
• Apply inclusive design principles and accessibility standards to create experiences that serve diverse audiences.
• Build documentation and professional communities that support ongoing advocacy for DEI.

About the Speaker:
Natalie is the founder and CEO of The Content Practice Architect, a consulting firm dedicated to helping brands develop sustainable content strategies. She has worked as a content designer and strategist for top organizations like Anthem, Kaiser Permanente, and Walmart, as well as federal agencies such as the FDA, USDA, and VA.

Her book, From Solo to Scaled: Building a Sustainable Content Strategy Practice, published by Rosenfeld Media, offers practical advice for building content teams and scaling content operations, serving as a valuable resource for professionals in the field.

Please stay until the end of the presentation, as Natalie is doing a free book giveaway as a door prize.

Agenda:
10 am - Check-in, socialize, raffle entry, and get food/drinks
10:30 am - Speaker presentation begins
11:00 am - Q&A, book raffle, and network
11:30 am - Wrap up

This event is donation-based with a suggested donation of $10. All proceeds go to Studious Coworking Space for allowing us to use their space.

Parking info:
https://studious.work/parking/