Breaking Barriers: Nivetha's Journey into IT Accessibility
By Nivetha S.
Information Technology Executive
At Kellanova, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our employees and our consumers. As part of our commitment, our IT team is improving website accessibility through screen reader compatibility, adequate color contrast, and alternative text for images, among other enhancements.
Read about Nivetha’s personal journey with vision loss and her passion for accessibility
I was born a typical, curious child, but life threw an unexpected challenge my way—I lost my vision at the age of five. This was a turning point for me and my parents. My journey into the world of education began with the Braille system, where I learned to "read" by touch. Little did I know that technology would soon become my greatest ally.
Discovering the power of technology
In sixth grade, I met my first digital companion—JAWS, a screen reader that transformed digital text into speech. Exciting, right? Well, not so fast! Unlike sighted users who can just "point and click," I had to memorize countless shortcut keys to navigate the screen. Despite the steep learning curve, I powered through. Soon I was browsing, reading, and even doing my homework digitally.
But here's the catch—many websites were completely inaccessible. Buttons without labels, missing descriptions, and interactive elements that I simply couldn't use. That's when it hit me: Why should digital content be a barrier when it could be a bridge?
The spark of accessibility
The next big moment came in eighth grade when Android developers visited my school. They introduced TalkBack, a screen reader for mobile phones. At first, my phone spoke in riddles—"Unlabeled button, unlabeled button!" However, it also showed me that there were people working to make technology accessible. That was my second “AHA!” moment and I wanted to be part of this change.
From arts to accessibility: A career shift
After school, I pursued a BA in English Literature because, let's be honest, there's a common belief that visually impaired individuals should stick to arts-related fields. But, after graduation, I discovered HTML and accessibility testing, and I was hooked! I completed courses in both and knew that my path lay in making digital spaces more inclusive.
Stepping into the world of IT accessibility
Before joining Kellanova in July 2024, I worked as an MS Word and Excel instructor for visually impaired students and professionals at an NGO, Visionaid. I also trained students for recruiter jobs and even conducted sessions on digital accessibility. Teaching was rewarding, but I wanted to drive change on a bigger scale.
Now, as an Accessibility Advocate at Kellanova, I get to report and solve digital barriers, ensuring that websites are usable for everyone, including people like me. In just eight months, I have audited and started the process of improving the accessibility of YODA, Work Smart, Kellanova Careers, and Jobs at Kellanova websites. I am working towards making these websites certified accessible. I also have to give a shoutout to Roshan Gupta, my incredible colleague who is supporting my project and helps me understand web structures visually.
“I believe technology plays a key role in creating a more equitable world. To avoid a digital divide, our teams should mirror the diversity of our consumers, including those with vision loss. After facing challenges, we succeeded by adopting a listening-first approach. This is just the start of our journey, driven by genuine inclusion and equal opportunity. I am proud of Nivetha and Akilan's achievements in leading the project, and I am grateful for the support from our Technology and HR teams.”
- Ramesh Kollepara, Chief Technology Officer and project sponsor
The road ahead: Exploring digital marketing and AI
My curiosity doesn’t stop at accessibility. I'm fascinated by digital marketing and Al tools—because why not? If technology can help me shop, bank and travel, then making digital marketing accessible is the next big step. After all, accessibility isn't just about reading a website, it's about experiencing it fully.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s this: Disability is not a limitation; inaccessibility is. And if something isn't accessible, well, I'll just find a way to fix it!.
I would love to hear your thoughts —what's the most frustrating (or funny) accessibility experience you've had? Let’s make the digital world better together ! 🚀
