When I was invited to speak at Sopra Steria in June 2025, I knew the conversation would be about more than technology. It was about people, accessibility, and the courage to design a world where everyone belongs.
The briefing call set the stage perfectly. We spoke about the reality that 96% of websites remain inaccessible despite years of innovation. For me, that statistic isn’t just a number, it’s a reminder of the daily barriers faced by millions of people. Accessibility isn’t a “nice to have”; it’s an essential gateway to independence, opportunity, and dignity.
Why Sopra Steria Accessibility Matters
During the event, I shared my own story of resilience, from waking paralysed with CRPS to learning to walk on KAFOs, to summiting mountains and delivering talks across the world. I wanted the Sopra Steria team to see that inclusion is not an abstract idea, but a very real, very human challenge. Behind every inaccessible website or service is a person who is left out.
You can read more about my journey in Get Back Up, where I share the lessons that shaped my approach to challenges both on and off the stage.
The Business Case for Inclusion
What inspired me most was the openness of the discussion. We spoke about the £82 billion value of accessibility in the UK, but also the deeper value, confidence, choice, and fairness. We reflected on how technology, when built with empathy, can change lives. And we talked about the role of AI, not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a force for equity if developed with inclusion at its heart.
If you want to see how I apply those principles in action, check out my Speaking That Inspires page. It gives you a look at keynote themes, workshops, and how I tailor messages around resilience, inclusion, and the future of work.
Stories of Resilience and the Human Impact
One of the highlights was hearing Talon’s story, a powerful reminder that life can change in an instant. His resilience in the face of paralysis and cancer was a mirror to my own journey, and it underscored the message that accessibility is not about charity, it’s about designing a world where everyone can thrive.
This same message is at the heart of my consultancy work, where I help organisations embed inclusive leadership, wellbeing, and AI-smart systems. You can explore more via the Consulting page.
My Key Takeaway from Sopra Steria
The feedback from the Sopra Steria team was humbling. Their commitment to inclusion is real, and I left energised by their determination to break barriers in the digital and human space alike.
For me, the event was more than a talk. It was a chance to challenge perceptions, share lived experience and remind people that true innovation happens when no one is left behind.
Because at the end of the day, accessibility isn’t about compliance. It’s about people. It’s about resilience. And it’s about ensuring that, together, we build a future where everyone has the opportunity to get back up.
If you want to see some of the real-world challenges I’ve tackled, take a look at my adventures through Project Can’t, which I talk about in more detail on my About page.