I am a proficient web accessibility specialist, drawing on 25 years of front-end development and design experience to ensure inclusive digital solutions.
I have worked in teams of all sizes for organisations all over the world, from large companies, charities, and agencies, to local small businesses.
Effective communication of web development and digital accessibility is key to my success. I have a strong track record of researching, writing, and editing technical site reviews, articles, and resources as well as running training courses and organising professional web design events.
Experience
Four Finches
2019–
Consultant, developer, designer
- Designed and built user-centric websites for clients using accessible HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript.
- Worked with managers, developers, and designers to ensure WCAG accessibility guidelines and legislation such as EN 301 549 were understood and applied.
- Authored accessibility reports and site reviews with an eye on usability and performance.
- Translated static designs into accessible, responsive, performant web pages.
- Implemented content management systems and trained editors in their use.
- Organised and hosted the Finch Front-End conference in Edinburgh, including content curation and scheduling, speaker liaison, and business logistics.
HTML Dog
2003–2017
Editor, author, developer
- Designed (and redesigned) and built (and rebuilt) web standards and accessibility resource HTML Dog, visited by millions of users.
- Wrote and edited tutorials, articles, and references, alongside a team of writers and technical editors.
- Translated W3C standards and WCAG guidelines into concise, intelligible, fun language.
- Applied, managed, and maintained the site’s CMS.
- Authored HTML Dog: The Best Practice Guide to XHTML & CSS (New Riders / Pearson, 2006; ISBN 0321311396), that was translated into several languages.
Vivabit
2004–2013
Project manager, conference organiser, tutor, developer
- Organised the @media Web Standards and Accessibility conferences in London and San Francisco, attended by thousands of web professionals.
- Created and delivered HTML and web accessibility training courses and mentorship programmes.
- Project managed client websites with a small team of digital creatives.
- Co-created, designed, and developed the front-end of the Event Wax event management web app.
(Various)
1999–2004
Web standards developer, writer
- Freelance, contract, and full-time placements.
- Coded W3C compliant HTML and CSS for (mostly London-based) agencies, and other companies, working alongside designers and developers.
- Mentored junior developers in the application of accessibility principles.
- Consulted on, and authored, front-end optimisation and accessibility reports.