Accessibility and Engagement Lead at the Ministry of Justice - Guest: Charlie Turrell
I took a welcome break for April, and have returned this month another incredible guest. This time, I’m speaking with Charlie Turell, the Accessibility Engagement Lead and Champions Manager at The Ministry of Justice. She is embedding accessibility into the culture to make it part of who they are and what they do.
We dive into why accessibility needs to be built in from the start, the impact of designing for real-world environments and people (like prisons), and the inspiring work of the Champions of Accessibility Network (CAN), a global initiative she co-founded.
If you’ve ever wondered how accessibility drives innovation, or how to start embedding it into your own work, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and practical takeaways.
Our Guest
Charlie Turrell
- Current role: Accessibility Engagement Lead & Champions Manager at The Ministry of Justice
- Location: Manchester
- What she does:
- Ensures accessibility is embedded across digital experiences, from websites to apps
- Builds relationships between accessibility teams and senior leadership
- Runs a champions network of 150+ designers, researchers, and frontline staff in prisons.
Champions of Accessibility Network (CAN)
A global network co-founded by Charlie, Gareth Ford Williams (ex-BBC and now Director @ Ab11y.com), and Heather Hepburn (Accessibility Lead @ Skyscanner) to support individuals in creating and championing accessibility.
- Provides a repository of accessibility resources
- Organises candid chats, talks and discussions on accessibility worldwide
Path to Now
- Started in finance but wanted a career helping people.
- Volunteered at a youth centre, organising events and learning about accessibility firsthand.
- Spotted someone with a BBC badge on the bus, looked up their values, and knew she wanted to work there.
- Landed a job as a PA & Events Coordinator at the BBC.
- Became involved in accessibility, working with Gareth Ford Williams, and transitioned into digital accessibility.
- Eventually moved to the Ministry of Justice, where she now leads accessibility engagement.
Learnings
What accessibility work looks like
- You wear many hats — it’s not always a defined job role.
- Accessibility should be built in from the start, not retrofitted later.
- Design for the edges, and you’ll get the middle for free.
Accessibility at the BBC & Apple
- The BBC has accessibility in its DNA — founded after WWII, it was designed to accommodate veterans with PTSD, limb differences, and other disabilities.
- Accessibility drives innovation — many everyday tools (like remote controls and email) originated from accessibility needs.
- At Apple, accessibility is seen as a basic human right, influencing all their products.
The Social Model of Disability
- The medical model sees disability as an individual limitation.
- The social model recognises that disability is created by barriers in the environment.
- At the Ministry of Justice, they design with users in mind — for example, people in prisons often have:
- Noisy environments.
- Limited access to assistive tech.
- A high likelihood of past trauma or head injuries.
Tips & Tricks
How to start embedding accessibility in your work
- Start early — avoid “accessibility debt” and last-minute fixes.
- Compliance doesn’t mean usability — test with real users.
- Use key resources:
- BBC Mobile Accessibility Guidelines
- WCAG Guidelines
- Miro’s Accessibility Journey
- BBC Global Experience Language
- Watch past accessibility conferences:
- Inclusive Design 24
- Axe Con
A mindset shift: “Who are are willing to exclude?”
- Ask: Who are we designing for? Who are we NOT designing for?
- Example: At the BBC, News sites aren’t designed for kids under 8, because they have CBBC
If you’re interested in accessibility, remember…
- You’ll never stop learning.
- You won’t get it right 100% of the time — and that’s okay.
- Expect to be surprised by how people actually use products.
Shout outs
- Heather Hepburn from Skyscanner
- Gareth Ford Williams -Former Head of Accessibility at BBC, now Director at Ab11y.com
- Ian Hamilton — Accessibility Specialist
- Christopher Patnoe (Google) -Leads the Accessibility & Disability Center at Google
Charlie’s work is a powerful reminder that accessibility isn’t just about compliance- it’s about building better experiences for everyone. If you’re interested in designing more inclusive products, this episode is a must-listen.
Want more?
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