Shelley Cowan – The Purple Lady: A Trailblazing Voice for Accessibility, Inclusion, and Change. Award-winning Community Champion, disabled entrepreneur, keynote speaker, published author, tech startup and leading advocate for accessibility, inclusion, and innovation.
Her remarkable journey of resilience began at age 15 when she was diagnosed with severe M.E. confining her to bed for 4,380 days—paralysed, tube-fed, blind, and in constant pain. When finally able to integrate back into society, she went through years of intensive rehabilitation, spending a decade as a wheelchair user, where she encountered widespread discrimination and countless physical barriers in the built environment, to then requiring five people’s support just to walk.
Despite requiring 24/7 care assistance for every aspect of daily living, Shelley has turned these profound challenges into a catalyst for change. She defied medical expectations by returning to education as a mature student. Using voice assistive technology to overcome communication barriers, she earned a foundation degree, followed by a degree, and culminated in a first-class MSC in International Business.
Her academic achievements parallel her entrepreneurial spirit, evidenced by her selection for Ireland’s first TechFoundHer programme—Europe’s pioneering tech pre-accelerator designed for women by women.
As the founder of Access Avenue and JustUs, Shelley transforms her daily experiences with inaccessible spaces and societal exclusion into innovative solutions for accessible travel and community empowerment. Her groundbreaking research with international wheelchair users led to the “Accommodation for All” campaign, exposing critical gaps in
accessible travel and driving industry-wide improvements. She serves as an Accessible Hospitality Alliance Advisor and holds the distinction of being Northern Ireland’s first National Community Ambassador for Purple Tuesday.
A compelling keynote speaker, Shelley addresses global audiences on disability rights, accessibility, and inclusion. Her presentations draw from firsthand experience with systemic barriers, blending personal narrative with data-driven insights. She has spoken at International Rotary Clubs, Community Transport and Hospitality Industry conferences, and various International Women’s Day events. Through her expertise, she helps organisations recognise not just the moral imperative of inclusion, but also the significant market potential of the Purple Pound—the substantial spending power of disabled consumers.
Shelley’s impact extends beyond speaking engagements. Despite significant physical challenges, her achievements include the “Stairway to Heaven” mountain challenge and an anti-gravity treadmill marathon for charitable causes. Her story, featured in “Hear Us Roar: Siberian Tiger Edition,” continues to inspire audiences worldwide. Whether through spoken word or assistive technology, Shelley’s message resonates with powerful authenticity: that with passion, determination, and innovation, a more accessible and inclusive world is possible.
Through her work as a tech founder, consultant, and community leader, Shelley Cowan exemplifies her mission of “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Redefining Disability and Empowering Inclusion.” Her journey from adversity to advocacy serves as a testament to the transformative power of resilience and the importance of creating sustainable, inclusive futures for all.
A passionate advocate for accessibility, an entrepreneur, a tech startup, published author and an inspiring speaker with nearly 30 years of lived experience as a disabled person.
Her journey into public speaking and advocacy was shaped by firsthand challenges navigating a world not built for accessibility. Instead of accepting limitations, she turned them into opportunities for change. Founded JustUs, a not-for-profit providing inclusive social spaces for disabled adults. Her ability to combine lived experience with practical solutions quickly gained attention, leading to keynote engagements and her role as Northern Ireland’s first Purple Tuesday ambassador.
She now speaks at global events, helping businesses understand the importance of accessibility and inclusion. Despite the challenges of requiring 24/7 care, Shelley continues to break barriers. Through her speeches, Shelley challenges assumptions, raises awareness, and offers tangible solutions for creating an inclusive world. Her message is clear: real accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.
