Accessibility Consultant

An accessibility consultant helps organisations identify and remove barriers that prevent people from successfully using digital products and services. That might involve reviewing websites, applications, design systems or user journeys to identify accessibility issues, prioritise improvements and create experiences that are easier for everyone to use. The goal isn’t simply to meet accessibility standards—it’s to build products that work well for as many people as possible.

No. WCAG provides an important framework for improving accessibility, but meeting technical requirements doesn’t always guarantee a good user experience. Accessibility is about helping people complete tasks successfully, regardless of how they access your product. That means considering usability, content, navigation, interaction design and assistive technologies alongside compliance.

Yes. Many accessibility improvements benefit every user, not just people with disabilities. Clearer navigation, better contrast, simpler language, larger touch targets, improved forms and more predictable interactions all make digital products easier to use. That’s why accessibility and usability should be considered together rather than treated as separate activities.

Absolutely. Many accessibility issues can be resolved through targeted improvements to content, navigation, interactions and design without requiring a complete redesign. An accessibility review helps identify which changes will have the greatest impact, allowing organisations to prioritise improvements rather than trying to fix everything at once.

No. Automated tools are useful for identifying technical issues, but they only detect a proportion of potential accessibility problems. Many of the most important issues involve usability, content, interaction patterns and the overall user experience. That’s why automated testing should always be supported by expert review and, where appropriate, testing with real users.

The earlier the better. Accessibility is far easier and more cost-effective to address during design and development than after a product has launched. That said, it’s never too late to improve an existing product, and many organisations carry out accessibility reviews as part of ongoing product improvement.

That depends on the type of engagement and the size of the product being reviewed. Most fixed-price engagements are completed within one to two weeks and include a clearly defined scope, timeline and set of deliverables. Larger or more complex products may require a broader review, but expectations are agreed before work begins.

Every engagement concludes with prioritised recommendations that explain what should be improved, why it matters and where your team should focus first. Some organisations implement those recommendations internally, while others continue into further UX, research or design support. The objective is always to leave you with practical actions that improve accessibility and usability rather than simply producing a list of issues.

There are times when an agency is the right choice, particularly if you need a large multidisciplinary team working across multiple workstreams. If you’re looking for senior expertise, an independent consultant offers a different way of working. You’ll work directly with the person delivering the engagement from start to finish, without account managers, handovers or layers of communication. Decisions are made faster, the work stays consistent and you benefit from experienced advice that’s focused on solving your problem rather than managing a project. For many organisations, it’s a simpler, more flexible and more cost-effective way to access senior product, UX and user research expertise.

I’m based in Manchester, UK and work with organisations across the UK, Europe and internationally. Most engagements are delivered remotely, although I’m always happy to travel when a project benefits from working together in person.

Yes. Most engagements are delivered remotely using Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Zoom. Working this way keeps projects flexible, efficient and cost-effective while making it easy to support organisations wherever they’re based.

Yes. While most projects are delivered remotely, I’m happy to travel throughout the UK and internationally for workshops, stakeholder sessions, discovery activities and key project milestones where needed.

Absolutely. Most organisations I work with already have product managers, designers, researchers, developers or delivery teams in place. My role is to strengthen your existing capability by providing additional expertise, independent thinking or senior support where it’s needed most.

Yes. I’ve worked with startups, scale-ups, SMEs, agencies, charities, public sector organisations and global enterprises. Every engagement is tailored to your goals, regardless of the size of your organisation.

Yes. Much of my work involves commercially sensitive products, confidential research and government services. I’m happy to sign NDAs and regularly work with organisations where confidentiality is essential.

The fixed-price services are designed around the most common types of engagement, but every organisation is different. If you need something broader or a combination of services, I’ll put together a bespoke proposal based on your goals and the support you need.

Availability changes throughout the year, but many engagements can begin within one to two weeks. If you have a specific deadline or urgent requirement, let me know and I’ll always do my best to accommodate it.

That depends on the engagement, but I always aim to make the best use of your team’s time. Most projects start with a short kick-off session, followed by regular check-ins as findings and recommendations are shared. Before any work begins, you’ll know exactly what’s expected and when.

It starts with a conversation. We’ll discuss what you’re trying to achieve, where you’re experiencing challenges and whether one of the fixed-price services is the right fit. If not, I’ll recommend a more suitable approach based on your goals.