Why Most Accessibility Policies Fail Without Real Conversation

Episode DescriptionMost businesses think they are inclusive because they have a policy. Fern Hughes shows why that is not enough and what to do instead if you want people to actually feel heard, supported, and able to belong.Fern, founder of 3LB Consultancy, brings more than 16 years of teaching and leadership experience into a practical conversation about accessibility, communication, and designing with real people instead of assumptions. From websites and logos to documents, menus, and even toilet layouts, she explains why small design choices can make the difference between participation and exclusion.You’ll discover:

• Why accessibility starts with conversation, not a template pulled from the internet
• How to make websites easier to navigate with better font choices, colour contrast, structure, and less overwhelming copy
• Why policies without lived experience can miss the point completely
• What businesses get wrong about disability, sensory overload, and “one-size-fits-all” accessibility
• How collaboration with disabled people and global majority communities leads to better design and stronger belonging

Fern also shares how her work is evolving through a client-led consultancy model, where each project expands from one need to the next - whether that means visual branding, written content, or digital accessibility. She and carinder also touch on screen readers, lip reading, assistive tech, and the gaps many organisations still overlook.If you care about building a business, website, or workplace that people can actually use, this conversation is for you. It is especially valuable for founders, designers, educators, and anyone responsible for creating experiences that need to work for everyone, not just the majority.Fern is the founder of 3LB Consultancy, where she supports organisations with learning, inclusion, communication, and accessible design. She also shares that her new podcast, The Third Conversation, is launching at the end of September, with deeper panels and honest conversations about the issues people usually avoid. LinkedIn/website links : www.3lbconsultancy.com @3lbconsultancy https://www.linkedin.com/in/fern-hughes3lb