Interview with Joanne Reavell - Accessibility Consultant at AbilityNet

Joanne Reavell joined AbilityNet’s Accessibility Services Team as a Mid-level Accessibility Consultant on 23 June 2025. In this interview, she reflects on her experience of the application and interview process, and shares what her first few weeks in the role have been like.

Please can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I was a secondary school maths teacher for fifteen years before transitioning into the technology industry, joining Sky after completing their Get Into Tech bootcamp. I began as a web developer, focusing on full-stack development for the first three years. During that time, I discovered a strong passion for front-end development and, in particular, web accessibility. This led me to a role as an Accessibility Specialist within Sky's Product Inclusion Team, where I could fully dedicate myself to that area.

I've had a fairly varied career path, but have always been passionate about inclusion and education, and that is why I love accessibility. Outside of work I love cooking, going to the cinema and live music. I'm also recently getting into open water swimming!

Joanne Reavell, smiling at the camera

Can you tell us why you applied to AbilityNet, and about that first step of applying?

I was really excited to see a consultant role open up at AbilityNet. Since I began working in accessibility, the charity and their excellent webinars have been one of my go-to sources for learning and trusted guidance. I’d also virtually attended TechShare Pro, AbilityNet's flagship accessibility and inclusion event, a couple of times and found it incredibly valuable.

When I saw the role posted on LinkedIn, I immediately visited the AbilityNet website to learn more and submit my application. The process was clear and straightforward, with all the requirements and expectations clearly communicated throughout.

What was the assessment and interview process like for your role?

After passing the initial screening, I was asked to complete and submit an accessibility assessment of a website to demonstrate my understanding of accessibility principles and the relevant skills for the role. As someone who loves diving into websites to uncover issues and suggest practical improvements I genuinely enjoyed this task.

Next, I was invited to an interview with several members of the Accessibility Services Team, along with the Human Resources Director. I gave a short presentation on my passion for accessibility and then answered a series of interview questions. 

The entire process was refreshingly transparent, with all interview questions provided in advance and prompt feedback at each stage - something I hadn't experienced before. I was really impressed by this thoughtful approach which allowed me focus on preparation and feel confident I was presenting my best self. Everyone I met was welcoming, friendly, and engaged in genuine conversation with me. I left the interview feeling hopeful and truly excited about the opportunity.

You must have been delighted when you found out you were successful. What happened next?

I was thrilled to learn I’d been successful, and I really appreciated how quickly the outcome was communicated.

In the months leading up to my start date, the Human Resources Team kept me well informed. They made sure I knew exactly what was needed from me and kept me updated on their progress, including organising my equipment and handling the technical setup. My line manager also reached out to introduce herself and say hello, which was a lovely personal touch. All of this helped me feel fully prepared and confident to hit the ground running on my first day.

Have there been any highlights or anything you’ve particularly enjoyed in your first few weeks at AbilityNet, and is there anything you’re looking forward to in the coming months?

One of the biggest highlights so far has been how incredibly welcoming every member of the team has been throughout my onboarding. I’ve been given detailed tasks and clear guidance to help me get up to speed with the systems and processes, and I’ve felt supported every step of the way. Shadowing colleagues has also been hugely valuable in helping me understand how the team structures and approaches its work.

Everyone has been more than happy to answer my questions and take the time to help me really understand the charity and how we operate. I’m now really looking forward to diving into client work and the opportunity to provide guidance and feedback to such a wide range of organisations and help them create more accessible digital products.

I'm also excited I’ll get to attend TechShare Pro in person later this year, and as an employee this time, which feels especially exciting!

Lastly, what would you say to someone thinking about applying to AbilityNet?

Just go for it! If you have an interest in accessibility and want the opportunity to really hone your understanding and skills by working alongside lots of other passionate, knowledgeable professionals in this industry this is a great place to do that.

Interested in working in digital accessibility?

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