"By simply raising awareness of accessibility, we start important conversations that can lead to greater inclusion, more opportunities, and lasting improvements in how society supports disabled individuals."

Donna’s journey with vision loss first began when she experienced an episode of Optic Neuritis and after a series of tests and evaluations, was diagnosed with Optic Atrophy, resulting in severe sight impairment. Despite the challenges she now faces, Donna continues to thrive in her role and is committed to raising awareness about accessibility and inclusion in the workplace. 

Read on to find out how Donna has navigated these challenges - and why it's so important for workplaces celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day, and champion accessibility year-round.

Since my diagnosis with Optic Atrophy in January 2024, the impact on my life has been enormous - mentally, emotionally, and physically. Everyday tasks that many people take for granted have become significant challenges. Simple things like getting dressed or cooking are far more difficult when you can’t see. Even routine activities like driving or walking to the shop become complex and, at times, overwhelming. Losing your sight changes everything - and it’s often the smallest things that highlight just how much has changed. 

Losing my driving license due to my disability has been the hardest challenge mentally as I felt as though I had lost all my independence and must rely on family and friends to get around. This has made me feel like I was a burden and has been a huge mental hurdle that I have had to work hard to get over.  

There have been plenty of unexpected challenges along the way - things such as just crossing a road can be incredibly difficult. As a sightseeing person you would just look both ways and cross. But I now stand at the side of the road and physically listen for traffic before I can judge whether it is safe to cross using my cane, which is scary and dangerous if you get it wrong. Luckily, I have had my Visual Rehabilitation Officer, who has been able to help train me on the use of a cane to assist me with walking and we have worked together for the last 12-14 months to ensure that I am safe and capable of independently moving around.  

THG’s understanding of my condition has created a space where I feel comfortable communicating what works best for me and how they can provide the right support. 

Of course, there’s always room for improvement - but I hope that by sharing my experience, it can help continuous learning and evolving in becoming an even more inclusive, disability-friendly employer. THG’s Accessibility Champions Network, and particularly Robin, our Network Lead, have been an incredible source of support, advocacy, and understanding - helping to create a more inclusive environment for everyone. 

One piece of technology that has been vital in supporting my performance at work is Zoom. It enables me to communicate effectively and stay connected with my team, whether I’m working from home or in the office. I’m also provided with hard copies of essential documents, which allows me to use my handheld magnifier to read important materials like process guides. 

These reasonable adjustments have made a real difference. It helps me manage my commute more comfortably, navigate occasional lighting challenges in the office, and maintain physical comfort - all of which support my overall wellbeing and productivity. 

I wish there was greater understanding around sight impairments. It can be difficult for others to fully appreciate why certain adjustments are necessary, especially if they haven’t experienced vision loss themselves. 

With Optic Atrophy, there are often no visible signs of my condition - apart from my cane - so it’s not always obvious that I have a visual impairment. This sometimes leads to people forgetting or overlooking it, which can impact my day-to-day experiences. 

For example, people will occasionally stand on my right-hand side, not realising that I have no vision in that eye. Or they’ll show me something on their phone and say “look at this,” not realising how difficult that might be for me. These moments aren’t meant to be unkind, but they can still feel upsetting. A little extra awareness can make a big difference. 

I have always had an awareness and empathy for disabilities, as before I was diagnosed with my condition I worked in the care sector. Being aware of disabilities and being inclusive looks very different when you’re the one that has the disability as not everybody can understand it. What appears ‘normal’ to most people may open a world of problems for someone with accessibility needs. It requires a lot of ‘out of the box’ thinking to be truly inclusive all the time. Finding different ways to communicate is important, not all accessibility issues will have the same solution when it comes to communication. 

The advice I would give others in the same situation as me is to break things down into smaller goals, seek help from resources available to you, don’t be afraid to communicate what works best for you, allow yourself bad days whilst seeing your own worth and don’t ever quit!  

Global Accessibility Awareness Day matters because it highlights an essential truth: with the right adaptations, support, and understanding, people with disabilities can thrive - and make meaningful contributions to both the workplace and wider society. 

It’s a reminder that a disability does not define a person. By simply raising awareness of accessibility, we start important conversations that can lead to greater inclusion, more opportunities, and lasting improvements in how society supports disabled individuals.