Many people don't know that I'm an occasional therapist, a role I've practiced since my late 20s. I began with hypnotherapy, mainly addressing stress, but over time, my approach evolved into analysis, listening, and offering solutions. Having personally overcome chronic anxiety and addictions, I've learned and applied strategies that I now share with others. For me, identity isn’t solely tied to vocation, I’ve always believed I’m more than what I do.
I’m also an illustrator and graphic designer, skilled in freehand drawing and digital creation. As a web developer, I continue to expand my skills, and I’ve written several books over the years. But at my core, I’m passionate about web accessibility, because it's deeply personal.
Accessibility isn’t just about compliance; it’s about creating a world where everyone can participate fully, regardless of their challenges. This ties back to my work as a therapist: mental health affects people from all walks of life, including high-level professionals. They often hide their struggles, but what they need most is a supportive environment, and the same goes for the web.
When we apply critical thinking to accessibility, we move beyond superficial solutions to address deeper barriers. Imagine a world where digital spaces are thoughtfully designed to meet diverse needs, just as we should approach mental health with understanding and care. By fostering accessibility and critical thinking, we can construct a world that’s not just functional but inclusive, both online and offline.
My journey into accessibility began in 2002 with the creation of my first tool, Hermish. Although now obsolete, Hermish marked the beginning of my dedication to improving web accessibility. My passion for this field was further ignited through my personal experience with text-to-speech tools in the early 2000s. As someone with ADHD and dyslexia, assistive technology provided tremendous support, enabling me to navigate and engage with digital spaces more effectively. This transformative experience made me realise that as the web continues to expand, so does its audience and with it, the critical need for accessible technologies. This understanding has been the driving force behind my work for over two decades, shaping my commitment to inclusivity and innovation in the digital world.
CheckMeister is a groundbreaking platform designed to rapidly improve website accessibility. It engages individuals with disabilities a demographic often overlooked but crucial for market inclusivity. By leveraging CheckMeister’s comprehensive tools, businesses can quickly address accessibility issues, ensuring compliance with standards and embracing a demographic with considerable economic influence.
CheckMeister simplifies the complex aspects of web accessibility, allowing businesses to focus on resolving issues efficiently. It’s a tool designed to make accessibility not just achievable, but seamless.
In 2007, I wrote Accessibility by Example, a pocket guide aimed at helping developers navigate the complexities of web accessibility. The book provided practical, actionable insights during a time when W3C standards were difficult to fully grasp. Although out of print, its impact remains significant.
Accessibility: Don’t Panic is a step-by-step guide to meeting EAA and WCAG guidelines. With a calm and practical approach, this book equips developers, designers, and business owners with the tools to create inclusive and compliant websites. In a world where 20% of web traffic comes from individuals with disabilities, this book is your roadmap to getting accessibility right the first time.
Accessibility isn’t just about code it’s about design. My work in NeurologicalUX focuses on the unique needs of individuals with neurological differences, such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. These differences shape how users perceive and interact with digital content, yet they’re often overlooked in design practices.
Designers are not just creators of aesthetic interfaces; they are architects of experiences that can empower or exclude. This book is dedicated to those ready to lead the charge in making digital experiences accessible for everyone.