11 June 1989: The Day Everything Changed
Thirty-six years ago, my life changed forever. I had an accident that could have ended everything. It did not. It became the beginning of something far bigger.
Eighteen years later, I launched Access by Design. It was built on everything I had learned, endured, and held onto during those years of recovery and discovery. And now, another eighteen years on, I am still here. Still building accessible websites. Still helping businesses understand why accessibility is not just important, it is essential.
Accessible web design is not just about ticking boxes. It is about creating a space where everyone is welcome. That means designing from the ground up to include people with a wide range of disabilities. It means going beyond guidelines and making sure your website actually works for the people who need it most.
When we build websites, or carry out an accessibility audit, we work with a team of disabled testers. They bring their lived experience to everything we do, and they make sure that what we build does not just look accessible on paper. It works in the real world.
With the European Accessibility Act just around the corner, this has never been more important. If your website sells into or operates within the EU, you will need to comply with strict accessibility standards. Many businesses do not realise they are affected. Others are not prepared.
The good news is that you do not have to fix everything overnight. A compliant accessibility statement, supported by an accessibility audit, is a clear signal that you are aware of your responsibilities and are taking them seriously.
This is why we do what we do. For me, it is more than work. It is personal. It is the reason I got up again. It is the reason I kept going. And it is the reason I still believe that accessible web design is not a luxury. It is a necessity.
If you are unsure whether your website is compliant, please get in touch.
