Can AI help make accessibility more inclusive without replacing the people at its heart?

In this episode of The Digital Accessibility Podcast, Joe is joined by Lucy Collins, Managing Director of Web Usability and founder of CollectivA11y, to explore how artificial intelligence can help organisations embed accessibility and inclusive thinking much earlier in the design and development process.

Drawing on more than two decades of user research experience, Lucy shares the story behind CollectivA11y and why it was created to address one of the biggest barriers facing organisations today: making meaningful accessibility and usability research achievable at scale. She explains why the platform is built on ethically sourced lived experience, why AI should AMPLIFY rather than replace disabled people, and how it can encourage better conversations before products ever reach real users.

We discuss the importance of shifting accessibility "left", the relationship between usability and accessibility, the risks of relying on compliance and audits alone, and why curiosity, empathy and better language are essential if we want organisations to move beyond fear and create genuinely inclusive digital experiences.

The conversation also explores the opportunities and challenges presented by generative AI, synthetic users, inclusive research, and how emerging technologies could help create more personalised and accessible experiences for everyone when used responsibly.

Whether you're an accessibility specialist, UX researcher, designer, developer, product manager, founder or digital leader, this episode offers practical insights into balancing innovation with lived experience and keeping people at the centre of accessibility.

Connect with Lucy Collins

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucycollinsuk/

Web Usability: https://www.webusability.co.uk/

CollectivA11y: https://collectivally.com/

Connect with Joe James

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeajames/

Website: www.PCRDigital.co.uk

The Digital Accessibility Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedigitalaccessibilitypodcast

Follow The Digital Accessibility Podcast

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67GtTL7QI7i9ZdbTqPK49g?si=cbe79a7b518b4440

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-digital-accessibility-podcast/id1689400288

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PCRDigital

What does it really mean to experience the digital world without sight?

In this episode of The Digital Accessibility Podcast, Joe James is joined by Paul Bepey, Accessibility Lead at PwC UK, to explore digital accessibility through the perspective of someone who has been blind since birth.

Paul describes himself as a visual thinker, challenging many of the assumptions people make about blindness and demonstrating that accessibility is about far more than simply meeting technical standards. Drawing on decades of lived experience alongside his professional expertise, he shares how inclusive design can transform the way organisations build products, services and digital experiences.

We discuss the importance of designing WITH people rather than FOR people, why empathy and curiosity are essential skills for accessibility professionals, and how organisations can move beyond compliance to create experiences that genuinely work for everyone.

The conversation also explores the exciting opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, wearable technology and the future of assistive technology, alongside Paul's thoughts on resilience, humour, innovation and why diverse perspectives are critical to creating better products.

Whether you're an accessibility specialist, UX designer, developer, product manager, digital leader or someone beginning their accessibility journey, this episode offers practical insights and a fresh perspective on what true inclusion really looks like.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pbepey/

PwC UK: https://www.pwc.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeajames/

Website: www.PcrDigital.co.uk

The Digital Accessibility Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedigitalaccessibilitypodcast

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67GtTL7QI7i9ZdbTqPK49g?si=cbe79a7b518b4440

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-digital-accessibility-podcast/id1689400288

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PCRDigital

The Digital Accessibility Podcast – Ted Drake

In this episode of The Digital Accessibility Podcast, Joe is joined by Ted Drake, Global Head of Accessibility and Inclusive Design at Intuit, where he leads accessibility strategy across products used by millions of people worldwide.

Ted shares his journey into accessibility, from building websites in the early 2000s with no formal coding background to becoming one of the most respected accessibility leaders in the industry. He reflects on how curiosity, creativity, and a passion for inclusive experiences helped shape his career and approach to leadership.

Throughout the conversation, we explore what it really takes to embed accessibility at scale inside a global technology organisation, and how accessibility leaders can influence culture, product development, and long-term business strategy.

We also discuss the rapidly evolving role of AI in accessibility, including both the opportunities it creates and the risks the industry and its users needs to be aware of moving forward.

We discuss:

• A non-traditional path into accessibility: How Ted transitioned from a fine art background into digital accessibility and inclusive design.
• Accessibility at scale: What it takes to embed accessibility across product, engineering, design, and organisational culture.
• Inclusive design leadership: Why accessibility should be viewed as a business and human-centered strategy, not simply compliance.
• Driving organisational change: How to influence teams, build momentum, and sustain accessibility practices inside large companies.
• AI and accessibility: The opportunities artificial intelligence presents for improving accessibility, alongside the potential risks and ethical considerations.
• The future of accessibility: Ted’s perspective on where the industry is heading and the importance of continuing to evolve accessibility practices alongside technology.

Ted also shares valuable insight into the importance of persistence, collaboration, and maintaining a strong focus on the real people accessibility is designed to support.

Follow Ted Drake:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/draket/

Website: https://www.last-child.com/

Follow Joe James:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeajames/

Twitter (X): @A11yJoe

PCR Website: www.pcrdigital.com

Resource links:

Your undivided Attention Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4KI3PtZaWJbAWK89vgttoU?si=36e3beefc3ba49a9

Little, Yellow, Different, Ernie Hsiung:

https://www.littleyellowdifferent.com/