Meet Shawn Jordison | Accessibility Champion

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shawn Jordison and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawn, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I knew I was on to something when I started cashing bigger checks than my regular job from my side hustle. Though, that is to put it lightly. This was more than a side hustle – it was about getting to my brain to work. Once I realized I had valuable thoughts and abilities (as we all do), I was able to flourish in a way that never seemed possible. Id have ideas that no one had thought of yet, I was creative, I was energized, I cared – when it seemed like no one around was like that. And then years went by – and that feeling never left. Ive still yet to find anyone as creative, energized, or caring as me – and that makes me feel awesome. Like, aint nobody going to get it like you can – so get it.

I thought over and over about how I wanted to write the above message. I didnt know if I wanted to sound like a business dude or just me – so I went with just me.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My name is Shawn Jordison, and I run The Accessibility Guy. I help people make digital content accessible—especially PDFs, Word docs, PowerPoints, and websites—so everyone can access information, including people with disabilities. I specialize in Section 508, WCAG, PDF/UA, and similar standards.

What sets me apart is that I don’t just teach the rules—I show people how to apply them with real-world tools, step-by-step guides, and practical training. I offer online courses, live workshops, document remediation, and one-on-one help. I’ve worked with colleges, government entities, and private companies. I’m most proud of making complicated accessibility requirements easy to understand and implement.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I started in assistive technology back in 2008. I’ve worn many hats—counselor, trainer, consultant—and I built this business from scratch. At first, I had no audience, no funding, and very little direction. I built slowly, made content, listened to people’s struggles, and kept showing up.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: people want to do the right thing—they just need the right tools and training. So I created The Accessibility Guy to give them both.

What do I want the world to know? Accessibility is not about checking a box. It’s about including everyone.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Santa Monica is the best. Brus wiffle has the best chicken and waffles ever. Im easy though – good food and vibes by the water – Santa Monica for sure.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I appreciate those that took a chance on me. I appreciate those who supported me and encouraged me to keep working hard when everyone else was not. Those who has seen the struggles of life are unmatched in their perseverance, drive, and will power. I witnessed and experienced this struggle growing up in a broken trailer park home. Ive seen things that ‘regular’ people would never believe or understand. Somehow these same people outworked everyone, taking the bus for hours one direction or straight up walking over 10 miles a day to get to work – those are the people I grew up around. So id like to thank them – id like to thank those in the struggle and who get on up to do it anyways because someone is counting on them. And if nobody else is counting on you – I am. You can do this – even if your the only one rooting for you.

Website: https://www.theaccessibilityguy.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccessibilityGuy