About Mariyama
The Basics
My name is Mariyama, or Mari - pronounced “mah-ree.” I grew up in a Maryland suburb of D.C. and studied literary translation and sociolinguistics at Bennington College in Vermont. Then I escaped the cold to California, where I now live on the ancestral home of the Ohlone people in Oakland, CA.
The Work Stuff
I’ve learned so much from working in different sectors and in different roles.
For a traditional resume, check out my LinkedIn profile.
Here’s my take on some of the jobs I’ve had.
Working in UX Accessibility in the corporate world
I love working in accessibility on UX teams where inclusive design is a priority and I get to collaborate directly on designs. Corporate roles have often asked me to focus on accessibility from a compliance standpoint, to avoid litigation. I know all too well how possible it is to create a fully “WCAG-compliant” site that is still a nightmare to use. While compliance is a useful tool in the box, I prefer working with organizations whose goal is accessibility beyond compliance.
Doing freelance web accessibility consulting
Freelance work using a sliding scale model (see my consulting rates page) is incredibly rewarding - I love working with clients to tailor the project to meet their needs and budget, and I enjoy ongoing consulting relationships where I have an opportunity to work with the same people or organizations over time, and see the impact of my work. Freelance consulting lets me keep my fingers in many pots - design, training, audits, and even in-person event accessibility work.
Working as an editor
at a large nonprofit
This job taught me a lot about the connection between the smallest detail of perfecting copy and the overall mission and values of an organization. I loved contributing to the style guide and seeing book projects go from outlines and drafts all the way through design and printing. I didn't love the time I had to format (literally) 9,000 PowerPoint slides, but I have to say those skills have continued to serve me well! I also got my start in web accessibility when I started an accessibility initiative.
Supporting disabled students in a kindergarten class
Right out of college, I had been thinking about pursuing a masters in teaching, as I love working with children and young people and had worked as a tutor and nanny throughout high school and university. I loved watching my students learn and grow when I worked in an elementary school, but I found myself consistently frustrated by the ways the school system is not set up to support the needs of any students who don't fit a very narrow definition of normal.
Working with kids, especially the substitute teaching I often did in this role, taught me a lot about patience, multitasking, identifying priorities, and changing plans on the fly.
The Not Work Stuff
This website is mostly a professional portfolio, but we’re more than our work experiences. Here’s a little more information about who I am and what I do outside of work.
What I’m Reading
I read about a book a week, mostly speculative fiction, along with the occasional political and social science, poetry, and comics. Some recent highlights include:
The Pomegranate Gate, Ariel Kaplan
The Murderbot Diaries, Martha Wells
Nettle and Bone, T. Kingfisher
In My Kitchen
We have to eat every day - so why not enjoy it? I love cooking and baking when I have the energy (and help cleaning the kitchen)!
Apple cider caramels from Smitten Kitchen
Challah for Shabbat on Fridays
Orzo al limone from Molly Baz (video recipe)
