Community Projects
Calder Valley Accessibility Partnership
HTT's commitment to making technology genuinely usable for visually impaired and disabled people across the valley. Partnership work, audio-first onboarding, and a first-of-its-kind role in the local tech sector.
This work is in active development. The page reflects where we are now and where we are heading.
Why this matters
Accessible Technology Is Not a Feature. It Is a Baseline.
Around two million people in the UK are living with sight loss. Millions more live with conditions that make standard technology interfaces difficult or impossible to use without adjustment. Yet most technology support services, including most tutoring and IT help businesses, are designed around a sighted user as the default.
Screen readers, voice control, large text settings, and contrast adjustments are built into every major device. They are powerful and often underused, because most people are never shown how to turn them on or tailor them to their specific needs. This is where we come in. We are building an approach that treats audio-first navigation as a first-class method, not an afterthought added at the end.
What we do
How the Partnership Works
A set of commitments that run through how we work, not just what we offer.
- Partnership with sight-loss organisations
We work alongside local and regional sight-loss groups to understand what technology barriers members face and to run sessions that meet real needs.
- Audio-first onboarding methodology
We are developing a structured way to introduce new devices and software that begins with voice and audio controls, not with a screen. Currently in active development.
- Accessibility settings as standard
For every client we work with, we check accessibility settings as part of our setup process. Text size, contrast, voice control, and screen reader options are covered for everyone, not only those who ask.
- One-to-one support for disabled clients
Patient, unhurried sessions tailored to the specific combination of device, condition, and goal. We do not apply a one-size approach.
- Hiring a Visual Accessibility Consultant
We are actively working toward hiring a Visual Accessibility Consultant role, designed to be led by someone with lived experience of sight loss. This will be the first disabled-employee-led role at HTT.
- Community sessions at accessible venues
When we run group workshops, we prioritise venues with step-free access, good acoustic conditions, and adequate lighting. Accessibility is part of the venue brief.
How to take part
Working With Us
For individuals
Get in touch and tell us what you are working with. We will talk through your device, your goals, and your specific access needs, and put together a session plan that works for you.
For organisations
If you work with visually impaired or disabled people in the Calder Valley and think a workshop or partnership would help your members, we would like to hear from you.
For the Visual Accessibility Consultant role
This role is in development. If you have lived experience of sight loss and an interest in working with technology in a community context, reach out. We want to build the role with the right person, not hand it to them fully formed.
For referrals
GPs, social workers, occupational therapists, and community support workers: if you know someone who is struggling with technology because of a visual or other disability, please point them our way. We will follow up.
Join the team
The Visual Accessibility Consultant Role
We are working toward creating a role that is designed from the start to be led by someone with lived experience of sight loss or visual impairment. Not a role where accessibility is one responsibility among many, but one where it is the whole point.
This will be the first disabled-employee-led role at HTT, and we want to get it right. If this sounds like something you would want to be part of shaping, please get in touch or check our careers page.
See current openingsGet Involved in This Work
Whether you need support, want to partner, or are interested in the Consultant role, we want to hear from you.