I was asked to be closing speaker at Camp Digital last year and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Not only did I enjoy it immensely it also opened many new doors for me in ways I had not considered.

That presentation seemed to bridge a gap in bringing together the designers and developers and an understanding of needs and end user requirements,  also that accessibility is not about ticking boxes on a checklist but more about real people, grey areas and solutions.

My work involves accessibility and usability consulting along with keynote speaking alongside my charity work raising awareness of the condition I live with which means I rely totally on assistive technology to live my life.

I am passionate about inclusion having myself experienced exclusion and indeed my company logo asks “Is your window open to inclusion?” 

It became very clear that Sigma and I share the same views on UX design and since presenting at Camp Digital, I have learnt so much more about design and usability. 

Sigma and I share very similar work ethics and as a result we have since involved each other in various projects here in the UK, each working towards full accessibility, usability and inclusivity.

In the summer of 2016 I was invited to present at Qcon San Fransisco, the title “How to Design and Develop in an Inclusive Way” and immediately I looked to the expertise of Sigma who were happy to collaborate with me and as a result Chris Bush and I jointly presented in Silicon Valley - quite an experience and in front of the biggest in technology.

Our joint presentation was a success with some brilliant feedback both in person and online. Since then we have been asked to revisit our presentation on numerous occasions.

Most designers and developers believe building products with accessibility in mind is building for the *minority,* my goal is to dismiss that thought and educate on how accessibility can benefit all and in turn make online more inclusive.

Chris and I have since brainstormed and are now taking our service further now we have people listening. 

We are now setting up workshops to collaborate with many more companies and work with more to design/ develop more accessible/ usable services to benefit the *majority.*

I was thrilled to be asked to return to Camp Digital this year, it is clear that my presentation got people thinking which is brilliant.

Many Camp Digital attendees are students which is great. 

The hope is that all developers and designers will consider accessibility at the very beginning of their ‘to do list’ and will understand why instead of considering it as an after thought.

 Chris and I will be demonstrating our QCon presentation as a workshop and intend to inspire our audience to think ‘Accessibility and Usability’ I am very much looking forward to it.