About Me

Jon O'Donnell at Naidex pointing to the presentation screen
Jon O’Donnell – Senior Accessibility Specialist at DWP

Who I Am

I’m a senior accessibility specialist and I lead on document accessibility in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), helping transform how teams create, structure and publish content across one of the largest public sector organisations in the UK. My work focuses on real‑world, high‑impact improvements: clear structure, meaningful alt text, correct tagging, and ensuring documents work seamlessly with assistive technologies.

I’m also the co‑creator and co‑leader of Document Accessibility in the Public Sector (DAPS) , a rapidly growing community now in its second year. DAPS has delivered national events, including our major May conference at Microsoft Paddington, bringing together accessibility specialists, public sector leaders and industry experts. With over 417 members and hundrends of public sector organisaitons signed up it is growing fast.

In 2026, I presented at Naidex, one of Europe’s largest disability and inclusion events, sharing practical insights on accessible document creation and inclusive communication.

My Work and Achievements

I wrote and published three highly popular accessibility courses for the Cabinet Office through Civil Service Learning, covering:

These courses are now used across government to raise standards and embed accessibility into everyday practice.

I also created the Public Sector Document Accessibility Escape Rooms — now in their second year — an innovative, hands‑on learning experience that helps teams understand accessibility through interactive problem‑solving.

My Story and Recognition

My personal journey has been featured in Breaking Barriers & Building Change – Jon’s Story of Resilience and Inclusion , highlighting my lived experience, my disability, and the resilience that shaped my career in accessibility.

I’ve also been recognised by being nominated and shortlisted for the Civil Service Lifetime Achievement Award , reflecting my long‑standing commitment to inclusion, accessibility and public service.