How we work: inclusive retrospectives for the GitHub Accessibility leadership team

Retrospectives are vital for a team's progress but can exclude members with disabilities due to the inaccessibility of common tools. The GitHub Accessibility leadership team, which includes members with disabilities, addresses this by using accessible tools like GitHub Issues and Discussions for retrospectives, enabling all members to engage fully. They conduct remote-first meetings, using formats such as the Starfish retrospective and adhering to Norm Kerth’s "Prime Directive," ensuring discussions are structured and accessible with Markdown formatting. The team prioritizes inclusivity by allowing discussion contributions in advance, using closed captions, and encouraging non-verbal communication options. They also emphasize the importance of clear communication and context setting to ensure everyone can participate meaningfully. The ultimate goal of GitHub's accessibility efforts is to empower developers with disabilities to contribute effectively, starting with their own diverse and adaptive team.