Harnessing Real-Life Insights for Meaningful Impact
In an increasingly inclusive world, organisations and communities recognise the importance of designing spaces, systems, and services that accommodate all individuals. Our lived experience consultancy provides an invaluable perspective to help achieve this goal. By sharing real-life challenges, successes, and needs, visually impaired consultants can help organisations develop solutions that are not only functional but also transformative.
Why Lived Experience Matters
Lived experience is the knowledge gained through personal, first-hand interaction with a specific situation or condition. For visually impaired individuals, this means navigating life with unique challenges that sighted individuals may not fully grasp. Their experiences provide profound insights into:
- Accessibility barriers in physical and digital spaces.
- The impact of inclusive design on independence and productivity.
- Emotional and social dynamics related to living with visual impairment.
By incorporating these insights, organisations can create truly accessible and empathetic solutions.
What We Offer
Our visually impaired consultants work collaboratively with businesses, educators, public services, and developers to make meaningful changes. Services include:
1. Accessibility Audits
- Evaluate physical spaces for usability by individuals with visual impairments.
- Conduct usability audits of websites, apps, and digital platforms to ensure they work well and are easy to use.
2. Inclusive Design Recommendations
- Provide guidance on creating user-friendly products, services, and environments.
- Offer real-world insights into assistive technologies and their integration.
3. Workshops and Training
- Deliver customised workshops to help teams understand the lived experiences of visually impaired people.
- Train staff on accessibility best practices and empathy-building exercises.
4. Policy and Service Evaluation
- Review policies and procedures to ensure they align with inclusion goals.
- vide actionable feedback on services to enhance accessibility and customer satisfaction.
Who Benefits from Our Expertise?
Lived experience consultancy creates a ripple effect of positive change across industries:
- Businesses: Develop inclusive products and services that cater to a broader audience.
- Education: Create learning environments that accommodate all students.
- Healthcare: Offer patient-centred care that respects diverse needs.
- Technology Developers: Design user-friendly apps and devices with accessibility at the core.
Why Work with Us?
1. First-Hand Insights
Our consultants provide nuanced, authentic perspectives that traditional research cannot replicate.
2. Collaborative Approach
We believe in working closely with your team to ensure practical, sustainable solutions.
3. Commitment to Impact
Our mission is to empower individuals and organisations to break down barriers and foster inclusion.
Who are our Consultants?
Nathan Matthews-Tree
Nathan began losing vision in 2009 and has built a career around his skills and education since. He has been working in the vision loss sector since 2017 and comes from experience working in communications, project management and web development. He completed a masters degree in business and management in 2020 with a dissertation on brand recognition consultation for blind and visually impaired people. He has a passion for making the world around us more accessible for people living with vision loss and does so by delivering training, consulting and working with local people.
Andy Smith
Andy was born with Congenital Nystagmus and astigmatism. Having gone through school and higher education without really admitting he was partially sighted. He worked in catering and social care before joining the MyVision team. Andy has been using assistive technology for most of his life in one way or another. Andy is really keenfor people to live their lives to their full potential through accessing services and activities that can help them.
Key Shared Experiences
- Braille
- Magnification
- Screen readers
- Cane user
- Guide dog user
- Sport and physical activity adaptation
- User testing
- Accessible branding
- Training and workshops
- Mentoring and coaching
- Public Speaking
