Interview with Rina Wharton - Senior Accessibility and Usability Consultant Team Lead at AbilityNet

Updated August 2025

What is your name and job title?

Rina Wharton, Senior Accessibility and Usability Consultant Team Lead.

Rina Wharton, smiling at the camera

Can you tell us about your career in accessibility to-date?

I applied for a Junior Accessibility and Usability Consultant role at AbilityNet in 2019. At the time I was in the second year of a degree in Computing and IT at the Open University. I continued my studies whilst being employed at AbilityNet and completed my degree in Autumn 2023.

Everyone in the team helps to support the development of others. The path for development is set out from the day you join and you have clear goals to work towards. This has been really helpful to me as I know where I need to focus my efforts, and what is required to develop in my role.

To-date, during my time at AbilityNet I have learnt a huge amount, having started with minimal, self-taught knowledge and little-to-no experience. After about 18 months I progressed from a Junior Consultant to a Mid-level Consultant. 12 months on I was promoted to a Team Lead.

Looking back to when I first applied in 2019, initially I enquired thinking I might get some interview practice - I never expected to be offered a role! I'm proud to reflect on my achievements and development to-date and the opportunities I continue to be presented to further this.

What are your key responsibilities and activities as part of your current role?

My main responsibilities day to day are supporting both my team and the wider team through checking people’s work in quality assurance (QA) and peer review and answering questions posted by others. I also deliver training and guidance on my lived experience with neurodiversity. I undertake testing for clients and help manage the maintenance and development of AbilityNet’s internal systems.

What is AbilityNet to you?

AbilityNet is an amazing place to work; everyone is incredibly friendly and willing to support you when you need help. They have given me the flexibility I need to be able to be in the 16% of adults with autism in full time employment. I’m supported to work in a way that is sustainable for me, which I was unsure that I would be able to do. AbilityNet has given me the opportunity to live an independent life, doing something that I love.

What made you want to work at AbilityNet? What are the perks in your opinion?

Because AbilityNet works with disabled people, I felt that they would understand the challenges that someone with a disability would face in the workplace. The team is very understanding, supportive and friendly and there are many people you can ask if you need any help. I have been given the flexibility I need to work in a way that works for me, so that I can achieve my best. I have developed skills, both personally and professionally, through the opportunities offered in my role. AbilityNet has allowed me to pursue projects that are both interesting and challenging, to help me develop those skills.

How are you able to incorporate your professional training and background into your role as a consultant?

Before starting in this role, I had minimal professional training and background. Most of my knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) criteria was self-taught. This knowledge has been incredibly useful in helping me to understand what I am looking at during audits, rechecks, QA and while delivering training.

What’s the best thing about working at AbilityNet?

The best thing about working at AbilityNet is the friendly, approachable and immensely helpful team of consultants that I am part of. I also enjoy supporting clients to create more inclusive online content and experiences. As an autistic person who works in their special interest, I find my job very rewarding - both for myself and for the results I see our clients’ achieving.

Interested in working in digital accessibility?

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