Good design isn’t just about how it looks—it’s about how it works. Here’s my take on both.  

ADA Compliance Documentation

Led the first accessibility initiative for the Phoenix Design System, reviving outdated components and aligning them with ADA compliance standards. Delivered a scalable accessibility documentation model for product teams and engineers.

  • Project Type Design System Accessibility, ADA & WCAG Compliance, UX Strategy, Documentation, Inclusive Enterprise Design
  • My Role UX Strategist (Accessibility Research, Documentation, Stakeholder Collaboration)
  • Tools Used Figma, InVision, Sketch, Phoenix Design System
  • Duration 3 Months
  • Company Bank of America
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Confidentiality Note:

This project is confidential. Visuals and internal data cannot be publicly shared. Please contact me for more information.

Following stakeholder feedback from multiple product teams, I initiated a cross-functional effort to address growing concerns around accessibility. The Phoenix Framework, our internal design system, had fallen out of compliance with ADA/WCAG standards due to prolonged lack of updates.

As the first UX lead to take ownership of accessibility documentation, I spearheaded a strategic accessibility upgrade of Phoenix Design System components to improve usability, meet legal standards, and future-proof the design system.

The Challenge

✘ Phoenix Framework components were outdated and lacked ADA/WCAG 2.1 compliance.
✘ No existing documentation or governance around accessibility best practices.
✘ Designers and developers had an inconsistent understanding of accessibility expectations.

The Goal

✔ Audit all Phoenix Framework components for accessibility gaps.
✔ Deliver ADA-compliant documentation with examples and usage guidelines.
✔ Equip teams with knowledge and tools to build inclusive, compliant products.

My UX Process & Approach

Research & Accessibility Auditing
  • Audited Phoenix Design System components using WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
  • Identified major issues with color contrast, keyboard navigation, screen reader labels, and focus indicators.
  • Benchmarked against modern enterprise accessibility practices.
Component Modernization & Feedback Integration
  • Prioritized fixes based on real-world user feedback from internal product teams.
  • Updated component specs and interaction states directly in Figma.
  • Initiated the first accessibility design patterns review for Phoenix Framework.
Documentation & Cross-Functional Alignment
  • Created an Accessibility Compliance Guide embedded within the Phoenix Figma library.
  • Annotated each component with accessibility usage notes, ARIA guidelines, and development-ready specs.
  • Held stakeholder sessions with devs, QA, and product managers to walk through risks and solutions.
  • Established an accessibility governance workflow for future component updates.

Final Outcome & Impact

✔ Modernized and documented 100+ Phoenix components to align with WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
✔ Reduced compliance gaps across teams, accelerating design and dev handoff with clarity.
✔ Enhanced usability for all users while meeting legal and ethical accessibility requirements.
✔ Sparked cross-functional support for ongoing accessibility governance.

Key Takeaways & Learnings

✔ Reviving a design system requires both technical auditing and cultural advocacy.
✔ Accessibility is a shared responsibility that starts with clear documentation and ownership.
✔ Aligning design and engineering teams through systemic change leads to lasting product impact.