Molly Watt
Accessibility consultant
Molly is an innovator and accessibility consultant, specialising in assistive technology for people with sensory impairments. Molly has Usher Syndrome, a rare form of deafblindness, and knows first-hand how transformative assistive technologies can be. She raises awareness of accessible design, accessibility standards and technology including computers and wearables. Molly explains: “My passion lies in inclusion and the many possibilities assistive tech can provide in breaking down barriers because nobody knows inclusion like those who’ve been excluded.”
Molly’s influence stretches across the UK and beyond. She has been invited to speak at technology events such as UX Copenhagen and QCon in San Francisco as well as at the Houses of Parliament, JustGiving, the Apple Campus, Harvard Medical School and even for video game developer, ustwo. Molly has given several BBC radio interviews and taken part in podcasts including Tech for Good Live and Happy Porch Radio.
Molly provides consultation services to organisations such as NHS Digital and numerous NHS CCGs, specialising in the fields of sensory impairments and helping to raise awareness of the condition. Her contributions to setting high standards for workplace and service-users’ accessibility are significant. On top of this, Molly has also set up her own accessibility and usability workshops to communicate the opportunities and support technology and digital tools can provide for other disabled people.
Over the years Molly has raised funds for charities including South East Berkshire Deaf Children’s Society, Sense, RP Fighting Blindness and Guidedogs for the Blind. Recently she set up her own charity, the Molly Watt Trust, which aims to support people living with Usher Syndrome by raising both awareness and funds for accessible equipment like ereaders, tactile watches and software. The Trust also plans to set up events to combat some of the isolation and faced by people with the syndrome.