Building on a Commitment to Seamlessly Accessible Design

My journey to Empower Every Digital User

Laine Amoureux

Digital Accessibility and Assistive Technology Consultant

Raised in rural Iowa without reliable transportation, I learned early that access isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about relationships. I bartered baked goods and garden help for rides to school, navigated exclusion from activities like PE and band, and advocated for accommodations just to compete in the state cross-country meet I’d earned. These experiences didn’t just shape my resilience—they revealed that trust and connection are powerful catalysts for access and opportunity. From being unexpectedly accepted into college after an initial rejection, to pivoting from journalism to public communications, later saying yes to a role I hadn’t planned for in blindness rehabilitation, transitioning to being a part-time stay at home mom while learning digital accessiblity, and eventually being asked to join a fortune 500 consulting firm my path has been far from linear. But every step was made possible by someone who believed in me—and by my willingness to believe in the value of the opportunity itself. After graduation and adjustment-to-blindness training, I pursued work in communications, but employers weren’t ready to hire a blind professional. A mentor offered me a chance I hadn’t considered—teaching braille and computer literacy. It wasn’t my original goal, but I said yes, and discovered not just capability, but purpose. I earned a master's in assistive technology and began advocating for disabled individuals with diverse needs. Motherhood led me to recalibrate again. Wanting to be more present with my children, I shifted to part-time consulting and soon built a trusted practice for JAWS testing, accessibility support, and mentorship—growing my expertise through certification and international networks. I served local committees, formed communities of practice, and continued showing up in spaces where people believed in the work I had to offer. Each step of my journey—from personal heartache and career shifts to community advocacy and spiritual exploration—has been anchored in trust. Sometimes others trusted me before I trusted myself. And every time I accepted an unexpected opportunity, I found growth I didn’t know I needed. Today, I support organizations in making digital products more accessible, mentor blind and disabled professionals, and nurture relationships that reflect the very foundation of my career: trust that leads to transformation, and transformation that drives lasting impact.