Emma Urquhart
Accessibility & Inclusion Specialist at Nexer Digital | AuDHDer
Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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I like to describe my career to people as making the world a better place for all people, no matter their needs. I truly believe our work makes a difference in people's lives. That is why accessibility is as much a passion as a profession. My aim in any role is to promote digital inclusivity and ensure that all users have equal access to information and services online.
My day-to-day work involves conducting accessibility audits and assessments to identify potential barriers to access. I like to offer solutions, not just list the problems, and prefer to work with the project team to find a fix that considers their team, their coding comfort level, and any system restrictions. Accessibility improvements shouldn't feel impossible, and it's important to me to spend time ensuring the project team feel positive about the improvements rather than frustrated.
In my role as a subject matter expert, I work with designers, developers, and content creators to ensure that their products and services meet accessibility standards and guidelines. I also support clients who would consider themselves 'non-technical', and enjoy the challenge of simplifying complex technical subjects.
I'm based in Scotland but can also be regularly found around Manchester, Leeds and London as part of my work with Nexer Digital. I'm also very comfortable speaking alongside any Nexer Digital colleagues -- you can check out their Sessionize pages: Danny Lancaster, Chris Bush, Rachel Breeze, and Molly Watt.
Area of Expertise
Embedding accessibility from the start
A session all about building a welcoming, inclusive culture within a company and in your day-to-day work - whatever your role might be. Thinking about accessibility from the start of your projects, can save you time, money and stress, and this session goes into practical tips and tricks for how to do that and how to handle any conflicts that may arise.
Typically 60 mins long including Q&A
Most recently delivered: Feb 2025 for NHS Digital.
Building a business case for accessibility
"Building a Business Case for Accessibility" is all about making the case for making things accessible, even in a challenge environment where it can feel like nobody cares or the odds are against you. The talk dives into why accessibility should be a business priority, including:
Bigger Audience: More customers, more money. Simple math.
Time Saved (and frustration avoided).
Public Perception
Legal & Ethical Stuff: Avoid lawsuits, do the right thing. Seems like an easy choice, but oh, I've got stories...
Employee Retention: Because it's not just about bringing a wide range of people in, but about protecting the staff we already have alongside us.
Make It Happen – Practical steps to actually do it (because “someday” is not a strategy, and "we want to get it perfect first time" is a pipe dream). Advice on how to make progress without getting stuck in the weeds, and how to handle inevitable setbacks.
Typically 60 mins long including Q&A.
Most recently delivered: Feb 2025 for NHS Digital.
Introduction to accessibility
This is my bread-and-butter session, and one I run weekly in a busy year!
A chilled-out intro section to accessibility basics that aims to help people understand accessibility as it applies to the digital space, and how it can affect you and the people around you. We'll cover how to talk about accessibility and the common struggles seen online, the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), and plenty of real-world examples of accessibility barriers -- some that may surprise you!
One of the core aims of the session is to foster a relaxed environment where people can comfortably ask questions without fear of judgement, and discuss struggles and frustrations in an open-minded environment.
Typically runs 30 mins
Can be co-delivered with Molly Barnes [Nexer Digital & Molly Watt Trust] to include the lived experience of being deaf and blind.
Most recently delivered: Feb 2025 for NHS Digital.
Creating more inclusive workplaces with digital tools
Exploring the role of digital tools in the workplace, with a focus on real tried-and-tested examples used at Nexer Digital including the Manual of Me, Inclusive Meeting Guidelines, and Inclusive Language Guides. This talk is all about how technology can break down barriers, as well as addressing the conflicts it can create - from mixed feelings about AI and how to ensure it behaves, to the challenges of keeping everyone happy in a company where different accessibility needs can clash.
It also focuses in on the common gap between how companies talk about accessibility versus their internal tools and documentation, and how important it is to 'walk the walk' and make it a core part of their culture.
Most recently presented at Manchester Digital for the Digital Skills Festival, Feb 2025.
This talk can be co-delivered with Lee Valentine for a focus on responsible use of Microsoft Copilot and Office 365. If delivered solo by Emma, AI tools will receive less focus.
Can also be co-delivered with other members of the Nexer Digital team for an expanded look into inclusive hiring practices and how to foster internal diversity.
Typically 60 mins long including Q&A, can also be delivered as a 30 min session.
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