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Description

Join us in this episode of The Digital Accessibility Podcast as we sit down with Mark Lapole, Director of Accessibility at eBay. With over 15 years at eBay and a career spanning roles at Google and Thomson Reuters, Mark shares his insights into fostering an accessibility-first culture within a global organization.

We explore:

• Mark’s journey into accessibility, from early web development to shaping eBay’s digital inclusion strategy.
• eBay’s approach to accessibility – from their open-source Mind Patterns & UI Core Components to their INCLUDE Figma plugin for designers.
• The challenges of building an accessibility champions program and why eBay’s initial attempts fell short.
• The role of external accessibility consultancies and how they support eBay’s internal team.
• The European Accessibility Act (EAA) – how eBay is preparing, the uncertainties surrounding enforcement, and what it means for global companies.
• Avoiding burnout in accessibility leadership – Mark shares candid reflections on personal challenges, balancing priorities, and supporting his team’s well-being.

This conversation offers a practical and honest perspective on embedding accessibility into product development, navigating regulatory shifts, and the evolving role of accessibility professionals in tech.

Resource Links:

🔹 PCR Digital – Digital & Technology Recruitment: https://www.pcrdigital.com/

🔹 eBay Mind Patterns & UI Core Components: https://github.com/eBay/mindpatterns

🔹 INCLUDE Figma Plugin: https://www.figma.com/community/plugin/123456789

🔹 Disability:IN – Corporate Accessibility & Inclusion: https://www.disabilityin.org/

🔹 European Accessibility Act Overview: https://bit.ly/4hlHMEm

🔹 TechShare Pro Conference: https://abilitynet.org.uk/techshare-pro

Mark’s Social Media:

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-lapole/

Joe’s Social Media:

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeajames/

🔹 Twitter (X): @A11yJoe

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