Joe Lamyman's CV

Senior Accessibility Specialist

Professional Experience

Senior Accessibility Specialist

2022 to Present

TetraLogical, York

I work with different teams across the globe, using my thorough knowledge of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, to help make different platforms, products, and services as accessible to as many people as possible.

A large part of my role is to conduct detailed accessibility audits different websites and applications, using my detailed knowledge of HTML, CSS and WAI-ARIA (which I have previously taught). I also use a variety of assistive technologies such as screen readers (NVDA, Voice Over, Narrator) and speech recognition software, alongside browser and application developer tools - to test services, identify problems and work through solutions. As part of the auditing process, I identify and agree samples with service teams, suggest remediation for any issues discovered, discuss technical detail with development teams, and write clear audit documents - focussing on consistency and quality. I also create Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) and EU accessibility statements for teams in order to convey their compliance with accessibility legislation.

Part of my role at TetraLogical has been investigating how new and emerging technologies can be made accessible. I am a member of the W3C's immersive web working group, as I work on a prototype for accessible 3D models, and augmented reality using the new WebXR API.

Accessibility Consultant

2021 to 2022

Defra, York

I worked with service delivery teams across the organisation, to help make public services as accessible to as many people as possible.

A large part of my role was to conduct detailed accessibility audits and design reviews of websites and applications. In order to make the process as effective as possible, I also created and reviewed accessibility statements for service teams as I developed a clear understanding of the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility 2018 legislation as well as the needs of those that I worked with.

During my time at Defra, I developed clear guidance and methods for testing native Android and iOS applications. To create this guidance, I worked collaboratively with those in the Central Digital and Data Office's accessibility monitoring team and helped create a cross-government mobile accessibility community to enable further collaboration and support.

Development Specialist

2018 to 2021

SkillsForge, York

I worked with multiple higher education institutions, helping to implement a revolutionary, award winning, student management system. I focussed on user experience and accessibility through the development of a UX process at the company both in the UK and Australia. A large part of my role was designing easy to use, accessible products, balancing the understanding of user needs and technical challenges to create useful systems that could be delivered to universities across the world.

I led the development of an accessible, theme-able design system to be used across all SkillsForge customers with the use of Nunjucks, Gulp and Sass. I managed the project, communicated timelines and workloads with the team and mentored an apprentice at the same time. Additionally, I chaired monthly design planning and design review meetings and had a seat at the fortnightly company release planning meetings, at which I gathered requirements for the design team and provided progress updates.

I further developed my understanding of web accessibility by undertaking formal training with the Web Design Academy (in 2019) as well as working with the Human Computer Interaction team at the University of York's Computer Science department. These experiences stand out as providing me with a solid understanding of accessibility and provided me with a platform to conduct the testing of software with people with disabilities.

Graduate Teaching Assistant in Website Design

2020

University of York

I taught and provided assistance to 2nd year Interactive Media BSc students at the University of York. Using my detailed knowledge of HTML, CSS, ARIA and understanding of JavaScript to tailored the teaching for the differing skill levels present within the class. I went above and beyond to provide example material for individuals and utilised my own time to stay and help people prepare for their assessments by answering detailed questions that they had.

Research Assistance

2018

University of York

I worked with the head of Interactive Media, Dr Jenna Ng. I researched independently, effectively organising materials to assist with research of a topic used for an Dr Ng's publication: The Post-Screen Through Virtual Reality, Holograms and Light Projections. I planned the workload and managed it effectively by myself alongside my final year deadlines and the organising of the Interactive Media Showcase.

Technology and Operations Summer Intern

2017

Santander, Leicester

I worked on a multi-million pound, UK wide, project. I organised reports and extrapolated data to communicate clear and informative messages to the project management team. I developed a new system for reporting IT issues within the project and oversaw the implementation of this method. I managed my time in a pro-active way to learn as much as possible from the experience and used this as an opportunity to learn about different roles within the company.


Education

Interactive Media (MSc by Research)

2019 to 2020

University of York

Thesis title: Personalising User Interfaces: Meeting the access needs of the individual

Inspired by results of successful accessibility testing of websites at SkillsForge, I discovered a passion for making accessible experiences. I completed my thesis over the course of a year, conducting a series of separate experiments: making an interactive toilet roll personalisation study, as well as a personalisable e-commerce website. I was awarded the degree without corrections, with examiners providing feedback such as: "A joy to read, and the most accessible presentation of a theses I've EVER seen. Needs to be used as a model for how it should be done".

Interactive Media (BSc) First Class Honours

2015 to 2018

University of York

I began my journey into web accessibility in 2017, where I studied the considerations that must be made by developers in order to create accessible websites. It was also during this period that I learned about the way that disabled people interact with the web using different assistive technologies, by interacting with lectures on the topic.

Modules that shaped my career path are listed below.

  • Web Application Design and Development - I learnt how to create accessible websites that facilitated a great user experience by considering different users and the way that people interact with the web.
  • User Experience Design - I practiced a wide array of design thinking methods and completed an exciting project with The Yorkshire Museum.
  • The Digital Self - Furthered my understanding of humanities, learning about topics such as posthumanism and self-expression within digital cultures.

A Levels & GCSEs

2008 to 2015

Kings School Grantham

  • A Levels: Double Award ICT (AB), Mathematics (C), Computer Science (C), General Studies (B)
  • GCSEs: 2 A*s, 11 As, 1 B

Additional Experience

IM Showcase Lead Director

2017 to 2018

York

Directed and developed an innovative event, allowing Interactive Media students a platform to showcase work. I chaired the Interactive Media Showcase committee and would liaise with staff to ensure the progression and success of the event.

Digital City York

2018

York

Volunteered for Digital City York, an initiative to get those between the ages of 6-10 into programming. Consisted of three hour long sessions where I helped teaching children the basics of Scratch.

CodeFirst: Girls

2017

University of York

Volunteering where I taught a class of 27 women, 2 hours a week for 7 weeks. Two Interactive Media students and myself developed content for each week and taught flexible sessions based around the classes needs.



Programming Languages


Awards & Honours

Best Effect on Business Goals, UXUK Awards 2019

Awarded to the SkillsForge team for the UX Process and results evidenced across UK and Australian institutions.

Highly Commended York Culture Awards' Rising Star 2018

For my work in creating the Interactive Media Showcase, providing students with a platform to showcase their work and for engaging with the local industry.

Nominated for the Grads in Games Awards 2018 Student Award

For being an ambitious student that has demonstrated a real positive impact within their work and with their fellow students.

Bird & Co IT Scholar Award


Additional Certification

UXQB, CPUX-F

Passed the international Usability and UX Certification Board's Certified Professional for Usability and User Experience - Foundation Level exam in my own time.


Interests

Community events

I enjoy learning from the diverse, wider community of similarly minded professionals in the industry and understanding the way they tackle problems within different contexts. I attend the Northern UX meetings and co-host the local York events.