The Right to Read Alliance is a partnership of organisations working to improve access to information for people with print disabilities in the UK. By joining together we present a unified voice to engage with government, publishers and technology companies.

The DAISY Consortium is a global partnership of organizations committed to create the best way to read and publish, for everybody.

It is estimated that less than 10% of blind or low vision children in the developing world have access to education. My role is to lead the development of a strategy for Lord Colin Low. This will harness the power of information and communications technology, to enable blind and low vision children to be included in mainstream schools alongside their sighted peers, and acquire the independence skills they need to make their way in the world.This initiative is a strategic partnership between the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) and the DAISY Consortium, two global associations of organisations and individuals dedicated to equal access to learning.

Warwickshire Vision Support provides both statutory rehabilitation services and voluntary support services to blind and partially sighted people in Warwickshire. Our mission is help people to build and maintain independence and control over their lives and to reduce the level of social isolation that they may experience. We’ve been doing that since 1911.

Bookshare’s goal is to make the world of print accessible to people with disabilities. People with visual impairments, physical disabilities and/or learning disabilities can look to Bookshare to dramatically increase the quantity and timely availability of books in accessible formats.Many publishers and authors have volunteered to provide Bookshare with access to their works. By requiring individuals to register as Members and provide a Proof of Disability, Bookshare ensures that only qualified individuals use the service.My role is to build partnerships with UK universities, so that students with print disabilities can benefit from the world’s largest repository of accessible books.

Responsible for strategic direction of product and service development for one of Europe’s largest and oldest assistive technology companies.Dolphin have 60 people supporting customers across 40 countries and a range of products available in over twenty languages. Serving on the company board, and working across software development, product management, marketing, testing, sales and customer support, my primary role is to match the design and architecture of Dolphin’s products and services to market needs.

Mainly working on post-graduate studies and research, but regularly asked to do work in digital inclusion that is too interesting to turn down.Main areas are:- curriculum access for disabled learners- accessible reading for people with print disabilites- simple technologies for people put off by more complex mainstream products- accessible consumer electronics and domestic appliances- mobile and tablet accessibility- promoting all the wonderful accessibility solutions that already exist

Strategic Lead for reaching ambitious targets for publishing, broadcasting and technology industries, improving the products and services of UK and international companies through business propositions and providing technical solutions to reach new markets.With direct responsibility for four teams in different locations, I work across the whole RNIB group of charities to develop services supporting people to get online.Through extensive work with internal and external stakeholders we have delivering transformational improvements in curriculum access for pupils with sight loss.

RNIB Access and Innovation GroupAn organisational wide role, responsible for improving access to information, culture, technology and the built environment. Developed RNIB's reputation as the expert organisation on technology and sight loss in the UK and overseas. Established RNIB’s ambition to transform publishing, broadcasting and ICT industries by changing business models, regulatory influence and enabling technologies

I was asked to take on this role in addition to my substantive post for an interim periodat a time of significant organisational change. A wide-ranging operational role, managing education, employment, information, leisure and advice services by a multi-disciplinary team, including responsibility for income and expenditure, service planning, new business, contract compliance and capacity development.

RNIB Education and Employment DivisionAnalysed market opportunities and strategic requirements to determine portfolio of technology services, delivered through a national hub, ten regional teams and partnerships; grew income and reach through government contracts, business to business services and grant funded activity; responsible for professional standards.

Established a new centre to lead RNIB's national agenda on ICT in education and employment; developed business plan, recruited all staff, and created new services; won new business through national teacher training contracts, software development, employment support, publication sales and research contracts.

Provided fee earning services relating to needs assessment, technical training, compatibility testing and systems configuration for government agencies and commercial clients.

Evaluated assistive technology products, assessed client need and recommended equipment and training for visually impaired students and workers.

Developed technical architecture and software for world first digital daily newspaper service, broadcast by TV and readable as large print, audio or braille. Navigation concepts and file systems contributed to later development of DAISY standards.

Computer training for adults and young people with physical or sensory disabilities, or mental health problems.