Publication
Digital Accessibility: A Roadmap for Achieving Inclusivity in Key Sectors
https://www.toptal.com/executive-guidance/growth-and-digital-marketing/digital-accessibility-guide
Jonathan is available for hire
Hire JonathanJonathan Thurston
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Management Consulting Expert
Campbell, CA, United States
Toptal member since August 29, 2024
Bio
Jonathan is a recognized leader in accessibility, having transformed practices at Pearson and Atlassian as their head of accessibility. Recently, as Walmart's director of digital accessibility, he's led efforts to develop scalable strategies at the Accessibility Center of Excellence (ACE). Jonathan's work has consistently left a lasting impact, ensuring accessibility remains central to digital innovation and inclusion.
Career Highlights
Head of Accessibility
Atlassian
Head of Accessibility
Pearson
Education Highlights
Master's Degree
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Certification Highlights
Design, Business, and Inclusion
LinkedIn Learning
Case Studies
Procure Access
AccessibilityProcurementVendor SelectionVendor ManagementVendors & SuppliersDiversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)+ 1 more
Accessibility Guidelines for Pearson
StandardizationStandards Guide DevelopmentGuidelinesBrand GuidelinesWeb Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)Accessibility+ 4 more
Expertise
- Accessibility
- Design
- Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
- Program Design
- Program Management
- Strategy
- Training
- Vendor Management
Work Experience
Head of Accessibility
2024 - PRESENT
Syntegence
- Led the development of an international accessibility consortium, uniting European vendors to provide European Accessibility Act-compliant solutions for diverse industries.
- Strategized and implemented a vendor evaluation framework, ensuring alignment with European Accessibility Act (EAA) standards and optimizing service offerings across the consortium.
- Facilitated cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing, driving the adoption of best practices in digital accessibility and enhancing the consortium's market competitiveness.
Focus areas: Accessibility, International Finance, International Projects
G3ict Fellow and Accessibility Expert
2020 - PRESENT
G3ict
- Advised on accessibility maturity models and frameworks.
- Acted as a subject-matter expert contributing to global inclusion initiatives.
- Presented at conferences and got invitations as a thought leadership speaker.
- Served as a G3ict fellow, advancing digital accessibility by contributing expertise to global programs, policy, and publications, and collaborating with leaders to drive inclusive innovation and cross-sector partnerships.
Focus areas: Accessibility, Training, Advocacy
Director of Digital Accessibility
2022 - 2024
Walmart
- Led the digital accessibility and inclusion strategy at Walmart's accessibility center of excellence.
- Developed structured accessibility programs for enterprise business solutions and Sam's Club teams.
- Oversaw accessibility maturity model initiatives and tracked progress across the enterprise.
- Conducted training sessions for associates on inclusive design and accessibility best practices.
- Integrated accessibility validation tooling to ensure adherence to accessibility standards.
- Contributed to updating the design system to ensure accessibility standards.
- Optimized associate experience for inclusion and streamlined access to assistive technology.
- Enhanced the procurement process by integrating accessibility requirements.
- Secured leadership buy-in to integrate accessibility as a preferred requirement in all Walmart job descriptions.
Focus areas: Accessibility, Program Design, Program Management
Head of Accessibility
2020 - 2021
Atlassian
- Developed the company's first enterprise-wide accessibility strategy.
- Created the accessibility product vision and a three-year roadmap.
- Implemented a procedure to gather metrics for disabled customer feedback and product success.
- Established a workflow procedure resulting in an 85% reduction in cloud product bugs within one year.
- Cultivated strategic partnerships across the accessibility space.
- Designed the roadmap to enhance mobile and cloud product accessibility, collaborating with engineering, product, design, and research departments.
- Updated the design system to ensure accessibility standards were met and exceeded.
Focus areas: Accessibility, Atlassian Suite, New Products, Program Design, Program Management
Head of Accessibility
2016 - 2020
Pearson
- Directed program reporting and monitored KPIs for precise progress tracking.
- Built a compelling business case rooted in customer metrics, ensuring accessibility prioritization.
- Upgraded 3rd-party agreements, solidifying a strong commitment to accessibility.
- Led the accessibility program, collaborating closely with engineering, design, and product teams.
- Secured executive approval, catapulting accessibility to a top-six business priority out of 52 programs.
- Established the inaugural executive accessibility steering committee, driving progress and alignment.
- Streamlined five sets of accessibility requirements into a comprehensive source of truth.
- Achieved a 600% increase in outreach activities within one year.
Focus areas: Accessibility, Program Design, Strategy, App UX, Audits, Training
Other Experience
Education
2000 - 2002
Master's Degree in Design
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) - Rhode Island, USA
Certifications
OCTOBER 2019 - PRESENT
The Complete Product Management Course
Udemy
JULY 2015 - PRESENT
Design, Business, and Inclusion
LinkedIn Learning
MAY 2015 - PRESENT
User Experience Design Fundamentals
Udemy
Skills
Finance
International Finance
Other
Accessibility, Microsoft, Google, Atlassian Suite, Design, User Experience (UX), Program Management, Program Design, Training, Strategy, Audits, Procurement, Diversity Awareness & Sensitivity Training, Standardization, Standards Guide Development, Guidelines, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Figma, New Products, User Testing, Advocacy, International Projects, App UX, Vendor Selection, Vendor Management, Vendors & Suppliers, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), Software QA, Software Design, UX Audits, Web UX, Financial Inclusion, Brand Guidelines, Modeling, Planning, Structuring, Metrics, Product Management, Atlassian
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