Accessibility and Usability: Working Together at MIT

The Usability and Accessibility teams in MIT's Information Services and Technology Department (IS&T) always worked closely together but were formally merged during a department-wide reorganization in 2009. Our goal in blending the teams was to provide a comprehensive service to clients without diluting our individual practices. After two years, we have strengthened our ability advocate persuasively for both usability and accessibility with internal clients have seen fewer projects slip through the cracks, and have observed standards applied more consistently. Key takeaways: greater understanding of why the two practices belong together, how that can happen, and the importance of commitment from administrative leadership.