Maria S. 

Research Ops Manager II

My name is Maria and I am the Research Ops Program Manager for the Design team here at Toast.  I work with our researchers and designers alike to streamline our research processes.  I identify as disabled, as I had a stroke at the age of ten months and have limited mobility and spasticity on the right side of my body.  I am fortunate to work with adaptable items like my car, cooking equipment, and even no-hands slip on shoes. These are the things that help me move through my world and that others don’t think of if they have never experienced it first hand.

I had the privilege of going to the Disability:IN conference recently, which has a reputation for being the global corporate disability inclusion event of the year. As a Design team member, I was focused on the product inclusion lens of the conference.  Speakers stressed the importance of reviewing digital accessibility and ensuring inclusive design practices. Of course, research was at the forefront in the discovery phase for identifying gaps and pitfalls. At the conference, I heard about how many companies don't realize the market of the disability community, including caregivers and family members with disposable income.  The takeaway I received was that UX is an important player in driving accessibility and was excited to share this with my team.

Through my conference experience, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to reflect on the importance of inclusivity and network with others who are equally passionate about empowering this community. Thinking about how others experience the world is critical to my work at Toast– in order to design the best products possible for our customers, we need to put ourselves in the shoes of not only restaurant employees, but also restaurant customers. 

For guests with disabilities, sometimes ordering food isn't a luxury or a fun night in. Sometimes, it's a necessity because they can't cook for themselves. Simplifying this process gives individuals easier access to food- a basic human need.

I also worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years.  We need to do right by not only our guests but also our restaurant employees.  We want them to get through their work day without needing to find creative ways to bypass roadblocks.  I see a future where Toast is a POS leader in product inclusion and accessibility.

I recently became the Community and Culture Chair for Second to Naan, our Toast community for people with disabilities. We are an inclusive community, welcoming anyone that identifies as being a person with a disability, as well as allies or caregivers.  We hold coffee chats to get to know each other as well as flag inclusive experiences and mental health related events to share with our community.  

For anyone with a disability I implore you to share your own stories and experiences to raise awareness and inspire action. Don’t be afraid to get involved–  change starts with us.