Most people think accessibility is just a checkbox. Something for “others” – public sector bodies, people with disabilities, or legal departments. But for me, it’s personal.
When I was 18, I was in a life-changing car accident.
I shattered my elbow and was told I might lose my arm. I was sent to Cork University Hospital (from Kerry) for an amputation surgery. Thankfully, I regained just enough nerve function to avoid it, but I live with a fused elbow to this day. My right arm is permanently fixed at a 90-degree angle.
The accident also left me with damage to the nerve in my left eye, blurred vision for weeks, reduced hearing on my left side, broken ribs, lost teeth, and a pelvis fractured in multiple places. I was told I might never walk again.
I left the hospital in a wheelchair – one I couldn’t even push myself because of the cast up to my armpit. Overnight, I had lost my independence. I couldn’t eat by myself. I couldn’t get around by myself.
And that’s when I started to notice – the world is not built for people with disabilities.
Doctors described my recovery as miraculous. I learned to walk again. And I know I’m lucky that my elbow was the lasting injury – if you don’t count needing a dental implant at 18! But there was a time when I found it extremely difficult to do the things most of us take for granted.
Wheelchair access was (and still is) a joke in Ireland. I was blocked from shops, restaurants, events, and toilets – all because nobody had considered that someone like me might need a ramp or wider doors or even space to turn.
Now, as a new mom, I’m noticing it all over again with a buggy. It’s the same feeling: rerouting, struggling, asking for help, missing out. It’s frustrating. It’s exhausting. And it’s entirely avoidable.
Because here’s the thing: my disability isn’t obvious. Most people don’t notice it. But it impacts me every single day. And that’s why I’m so passionate about accessibility – especially online.
Your website might look fine.
Just like I might look fine.
But hidden issues, like poor colour contrast, missing alt text, or forms that can’t be used with a keyboard, can make your website inaccessible to people who rely on assistive technology.
And most Irish business owners have no idea.
From June 2025, many websites in Ireland will be required to meet EU accessibility regulations. But, to me, accessibility online isn’t just about screen readers or font sizes.
It’s about inclusion. It’s about dignity. It’s about independence.
And for business owners, it’s about doing better for everyone.
Most people don’t think about accessibility… until they have to.
Until your world changes in an instant.
Until it’s your child, your friend, your future self who is locked out.
Making your website accessible means:
- People can navigate without a mouse
- Screen readers can describe your content
- Forms make sense to users who can’t see them
- No one gets left out of your digital space
But honestly? You shouldn’t need a law to care about this. Because accessibility isn’t just for other people, it’s for all of us. Whether it impacts you today or not, it could one day.
So let’s create websites that include, support and welcome everyone in Ireland and beyond. Because accessible website design shouldn’t be an afterthought, it should be the standard.
