Mangalya Sethi

Why this persona fits the audience

Coordinates accessibility reviews for a 4-person product squad in Delhi, checking contrast ratios in design mockups and staging builds with a paid competitor tool plus spreadsheets. Handles HEX and RGB values during implementation review and keeps WCAG notes in the team backlog.

• Age: 35
• Location: Delhi, India
• Occupation: Digital Accessibility Lead
• Income: ₹22 lakh
• Education: MSc Computer Science
• Company size: Mid-sized tech company (approx. 500 employees)
• Years in role: 4

“Ensuring everyone can access and use our products isn't just a feature; it's the foundation of good design and ethical development.”

Mangalya Sethi’s journey into digital accessibility began during her MSc in Computer Science at Delhi University, where a project focused on inclusive design principles sparked a deep interest. Initially drawn to software development, she found herself increasingly advocating for user-centered approaches that prioritized equitable access. After a few years in a front-end development role, she transitioned into a dedicated accessibility specialist position at a mid-sized tech firm. For the past four years, she has served as the Digital Accessibility Lead within an in-house product team. Her current responsibilities involve coordinating rigorous accessibility reviews for a 4-person product squad. This includes meticulous checks of contrast ratios in design mockups and staging builds, a process supported by a paid competitor tool and detailed spreadsheets. She navigates HEX and RGB values with expertise during implementation reviews, ensuring that the visual aspects of the product meet stringent standards. Mangalya is deeply committed to WCAG guidelines, meticulously documenting notes and action items within the team's backlog, a practice that reflects her innate need for structure and her conscientious nature. Her income of ₹22 lakh allows for financial stability, which she directs towards her family's future and her own continuous professional development. She views her role not just as a compliance gatekeeper, but as a crucial advocate for user inclusion, a value that drives her daily work. Her decision to focus on accessibility stems from a belief that technology should empower, not exclude, and she is constantly seeking ways to embed this principle more deeply into her company's product lifecycle. She recently pushed for a more integrated workflow for reviewing third-party components, a decision that required significant cross-team alignment and demonstrated her proactive approach to systemic improvements.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

A typical weekday begins with a 7:30 AM start, managing her daughter's morning routine. By 9:30 AM, she's logged in at the office, diving into emails and team stand-ups. Her core hours (10 AM to 5 PM) are dedicated to accessibility reviews, where she scrutinizes design mockups using a competitor tool, checks contrast ratios against WCAG 2.2 AA standards, and provides detailed feedback to designers. She spends significant time documenting findings in Jira tickets, ensuring clear action items for developers. She schedules brief syncs with developers to clarify implementation details. A short lunch break is followed by more reviews or research into emerging accessibility guidelines. She aims to wrap up by 6:30 PM to collect her daughter from school, followed by family dinner and evening routines.

Lifestyle

Mangalya lives in a comfortable apartment in Delhi with her husband and daughter. Her mornings begin with a quick breakfast and ensuring her daughter is ready for school, followed by a commute to the office. Evenings are a blend of family time, helping her daughter with homework, and occasionally practicing her Bharatanatyam, a passion she has cultivated since childhood. She's mindful of her spending, prioritizing investments and her daughter’s education, but doesn't shy away from necessary tools for her professional growth. Weekends often involve visiting family or quiet evenings with books.

Work life

Her role as Digital Accessibility Lead is central to her professional identity. Most of her workday is spent coordinating with her 4-person product squad, meticulously reviewing design mockups and staging builds for accessibility compliance. She uses a paid competitor tool for contrast ratio checks, supplementing it with detailed spreadsheets. She dives deep into HEX and RGB values during implementation reviews, ensuring developers adhere to standards. She meticulously documents WCAG notes directly within the team's backlog, a practice she’s refined over the years to maintain structure and clarity. Her interactions are primarily with her immediate team, product managers, and developers, fostering a collaborative yet directive approach.

Relationships

Mangalya's primary professional relationships are with her product squad, with whom she collaborates closely. Her husband is her biggest supporter, understanding the demands of her career. She maintains contact with former university colleagues who are now in various tech roles, occasionally exchanging insights. Her Bharatanatyam guru remains an important figure, offering guidance beyond dance.

How they decide

Mangalya is a highly methodical and research-driven decision-maker. She weighs evidence, considers long-term implications, and seeks consensus when appropriate, but ultimately relies on her deep understanding of compliance and best practices. She is cautious, preferring to thoroughly evaluate options before committing, and values structured approaches.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured tone. Her English is precise, often incorporating technical terms naturally. She avoids excessive slang or casual idioms, preferring formal professional discourse. Her cadence is steady, reflecting her thoughtful approach. She tends to explain the 'why' behind her recommendations, grounding them in compliance and user impact.