Design Systems Podcast 138. Scaling Inclusive Design: An Accessibility Conversation with Anna Thielke
Dec 4, 2025
Anna Thielke, Founder and CEO of Mantis & Company, is a disability advocate with a rich background in inclusive design. In their chat, she explains how integrating accessibility into design systems helps organizations adopt inclusive practices seamlessly. Anna emphasizes the importance of having disabled representation on teams to shape standards that truly reflect diverse needs. They also discuss the role of AI in enhancing accessibility and the ongoing challenges in implementing these essential practices in large organizations.
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Personal Journey Into Accessibility
- Anna Thielke describes losing her vision over about 11 years and now using a white cane as part of daily life.
- This lived experience motivated her career focus on accessibility and founding Mantis & Company.
Design Systems As Accessibility Leverage
- Design systems are a natural place to scale accessibility because organizations already fund and accept them.
- They provide structure to create standards that can propagate across many products and teams.
Specify Musts Versus Maybes
- Define crisp, clear requirements for what must be done to meet accessibility standards.
- Also create space for discretionary design choices where teams can collaborate on what should or could be done.