Emily Stevenson
Emily Stevenson is an Accessibility and Usability Specialist based in Anchorage, Alaska, with over a decade of experience ensuring technology and digital content are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Drawing on her lived experience as a blind individual, Emily specializes in evaluating websites, software, and documents for compliance with accessibility standards, troubleshooting urgent issues, and verifying outputs in both electronic and braille formats. She is passionate about making digital environments inclusive and user-friendly for all.
Throughout her career, Emily has worked with organizations including ACT Education Corp, HCL American Inc., and Gonzaga University, where she coached developers, students, and teams on best practices for accessibility. She is known for her ability to communicate complex accessibility requirements in a clear, practical way and has trained colleagues to integrate accessibility considerations early in the design and development process rather than as a last-minute adjustment. Emily’s work bridges the gap between technical compliance and meaningful user experience.
Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Management from Gonzaga University and certifications as a Web Accessibility Specialist through IAAP and DEQUE University. Beyond her professional work, she has volunteered extensively, organizing sports for the blind and participating in civil rights and community initiatives. Emily’s approach to accessibility is rooted in honesty, patience, and clear communication, with a focus on empowering others to create inclusive, equitable experiences.
• Web Accessibility Specialist
• EdX Verified Certificate for Introduction to Web Accessibility
• DEQUE University
• Gonzaga University - Bachelor's degree, Engineering Management
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong work ethic instilled in me from an early age and the values I learned growing up. My upbringing taught me perseverance, responsibility, and the importance of showing up fully in everything I do, which has guided me throughout my career.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to know your worth, be authentic, ask questions, and never feel like you have to pretend to know everything. Embracing curiosity and honesty has helped me grow both personally and professionally.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to be prepared to advocate for yourself. Expect pushback, and don’t be afraid to advocate even harder than you might in other fields. Know your worth, trust your expertise, and always ask questions when you don’t know something — curiosity is a strength, not a weakness.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field is the ability to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives by improving accessibility and inclusion. At the same time, a key challenge is ensuring accessibility from the very beginning of the design and development cycle, rather than trying to retrofit solutions later.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value I hold most important in both my work and personal life is honesty. I strive to be transparent, authentic, and trustworthy in all my interactions, whether with colleagues, clients, or in my personal relationships.