We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julie Johnson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julie below.
Julie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.
As a passionate learning experience designer deeply invested in creating accessible e-learning solutions, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement witnessing the growing emphasis on mental health considerations within our industry. This trend is not just a professional interest for me but a personal mission to make a meaningful impact through my work.
In my day-to-day engagements, I’ve been struck by the increasing recognition among instructional designers and employees alike of the essential role mental health accommodations play in fostering a supportive learning environment. The shift towards prioritizing simplicity and microlearning resonates with me on a personal level, as I firmly believe in the power of breaking down complex concepts into manageable, bite-sized pieces to enhance accessibility and learner well-being.
Reflecting on a recent project close to my heart, collaborating with a forward-thinking organization to incorporate mental health resources and self-care practices into their e-learning modules was truly rewarding. Witnessing the positive response from employees and seeing how these embedded accommodations made a difference in their daily lives reinforced my commitment to creating human-centered experiences that prioritize not just learning outcomes but the holistic well-being of individuals.
While this trend brings about exciting possibilities to create more inclusive and empathetic e-learning environments, it also reminds me of the importance of staying attentive to individual needs and continuously refining our approaches to address the right business and accessibility challenges effectively. This personal journey of blending my professional expertise with a genuine desire to support accessibility and mental health through e-learning fuels my enthusiasm to push boundaries and advocate for a more compassionate approach to learning design.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As an avid and passionate e-learning accessibility expert with a decade of experience in startup development and educational consulting. My passion lies in fostering accessible, usable, and impactful learning experiences while prioritizing care-centered practices and the user experience that cater to individual needs.
At the core of my work is a commitment to social impact. I have mentored tech community managers in trauma-aware practices, resulting in a remarkable 65% increase in skill capacity. Additionally, I have cultivated a network of over 35 human care professionals renowned for their expertise in human-centered communication and trauma-informed decision-making, all backed by performance-based metrics in trauma-informed skills.
One of my proudest achievements is leading more than 50 trainings on e-learning accessibility and its significance in the workplace. These sessions have empowered organizations to create inclusive learning environments that support the well-being and growth of their employees.
In terms of services, my offerings include:
1. **Accessible E-Learning Consulting**: Tailored solutions to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in e-learning platforms.
2. **Learning Experience Design**: Crafting engaging and user-centric learning experiences that prioritize individual needs.
3. **Peer Coaching Strategy**: Providing guidance and support to nurture care-centered businesses and foster impactful community engagement.
What sets me apart is my holistic approach to learning design, marrying expertise in accessibility with a deep understanding of care-centered practices. I strive to empower clients to create meaningful and inclusive learning environments that make a positive difference in the lives of their learners. I look forward to helping more clients transform their e-learning initiatives into spaces that prioritize accessibility, usability, and human-centric care.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Throughout my diverse career journey encompassing realms from art and design to accessibility., instructional design, user experience research and yoga, the most profound lesson I’ve embraced is the interconnectedness of all our skills. Rather than compartmentalizing our professional identities, I’ve come to appreciate how each facet of our expertise complements and enriches the others, creating a tapestry of interconnected abilities.
In a society that often seeks to confine individuals within rigid skill-based categorizations, my experience seems to go against the grain of society’s expectations. Instead, I have witnessed how each of my past roles serves as a scaffold, building upon and enhancing the foundations laid by the others. The creative insights gained from art and design seamlessly integrate with the empathy and problem-solving approaches cultivated through accessibility e-learning work, while the mindfulness and holistic wellness principles of yoga inform and elevate every aspect of my professional endeavors when we begin doing group problem-solving and decision- making .
This dynamic interplay of skills has not only shaped my professional trajectory but has also underscored the importance of embracing the multidimensionality of our capabilities. By recognizing and harnessing the interconnected nature of our skills, we can unlock boundless potential for innovation, creativity, and growth across diverse disciplines. My career path stands as a testament to the power of embracing this holistic approach, where each skill set contributes uniquely to the rich tapestry of experiences that define our professional selves. The unlearning has been in accepting multidimensionality as something I should be be ashamed of. Instead, I lean into it and embrace it with unconditonal self- love.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Yes, absolutely, my creative journey in learning experience design is deeply driven by a personal mission close to my heart. At the core of my work is a passionate desire to assist companies in addressing real performance challenges through a lens of inclusivity and genuine human connection.
For me, creativity thrives when I can develop instructional design systems that go beyond just imparting knowledge; they are crafted to uplift and empower every individual in the workforce to feel a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment in their roles. This goal stems from my belief that true success at work is not just about completing tasks but about feeling valued, competent, and supported in one’s professional growth journey.
In my approach, I find immense inspiration in centering the human experience and embracing a co-design process that invites our customers to be active partners in shaping their learning solutions. By listening, collaborating, and empathizing with our audience, we can create training experiences that truly resonate with their needs and aspirations.
Through this deeply personal and collaborative process, I aim to not only solve performance problems but also to nurture a culture of learning and development where individuals feel seen, heard, and empowered to excel. My creative journey is a reflection of my commitment to making a meaningful difference in the professional lives of others, one thoughtfully designed learning experience at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.letsintegrate.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrate_network/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juile-johnson101/
- Other: Substack: https://letsintegrate.substack.com/
Image Credits
Professional Photo: Mackenzie Leek
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackenzie-leek-mph-29250b146/