As we continue our monthly Employee Spotlight series, we get to know David Swallow, Principal UX Consultant at TPGi. He is passionate about accessibility and has spent his entire career trying to make the online world accessible.
We chatted with David to find out how he got started in the accessibility field, what he is working on now, and how he stays connected with his teammates when everyone is working remotely.
Q & A with David
What was your first job?
David: My very first job was delivering newspapers for a local newsagent, but my first real job was as a web developer for a software company. We built accessible, user-friendly websites for estate agents and realtors—most of which have now fallen off the web!
How long have you worked at Vispero?
D: I joined TPGi in 2016, so that makes it 8.5 years and counting.
What initially drew you to your field, and how has that passion evolved over time?
D: Accessibility has been a constant thread throughout my career. I started with an undergraduate degree in psychology, specializing in human-computer interaction (HCI)—the study of how people interact with technology. That led me to a master’s degree in computer science, again with a focus on HCI, but leaning more toward the technical side.
After working as a web developer for several years, I returned to academia as a researcher at the University of York, where my interest in accessibility deepened. I contributed to European research projects aimed at developing technology for disabled and older people and eventually completed a PhD in Computer Science. My research focused on integrating accessible web development practices into the workflows of professional developers—a way of bridging my background in HCI, web development, and accessibility.
In 2016, after nearly a decade in academia, I took the leap into industry and joined The Paciello Group (now TPGi). I haven’t looked back! It’s been a privilege to work alongside some of the brightest minds in accessibility, and I’m excited for what’s next.
What was your dream job as a child?
D: I was fascinated by how movies and television were made and dreamed of working behind the scenes in TV production. As a kid, I’d build elaborate LEGO TV studios, complete with lights, cameras, and action figures taking center stage.
That passion lasted through high school—I even did work experience at my local TV and radio stations—but when it came time for university, I wanted to keep my options open. While I never ended up in the entertainment industry, my love for film and TV remains strong. I have a habit (much to my wife’s dismay) of tracking down filming locations whenever we travel. I even have a map of movie and TV locations across the globe!
On our honeymoon in New York, I made sure we visited all the Ghostbusters filming spots—my wife was delighted. And when we ended the trip in Boston, naturally, we had to stop by the Cheers bar.
Looking back at your career so far, what accomplishment are you most proud of?
D: Earning my PhD is definitely at the top of the list. It was an enormous undertaking, made even more intense by doing it alongside a full-time job and juggling big life changes—getting married, moving house, and having kids. My wife jokingly claims she earned it too, given all the family events I missed and the childcare she managed while I was buried in research. She’s not wrong!
What recent accomplishment at work has you feeling most energized?
D: Lately, I’ve been focused on preparing for the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which has been both exciting and challenging. This has involved writing blog posts, hosting webinars, developing surveys, and guiding clients through the changes. I’ve also had the chance to attend EU accessibility events, including one in Paris last year and another in Brno, Czech Republic this April—just weeks before the EAA compliance deadline. It’s been great to connect with others in the field and see how the EAA is shaping accessibility across Europe.
Have you had a chance to mentor someone at the company? How was that experience?
D: I’ve mentored various colleagues over the years, and I’ve always found it rewarding. I remember how welcoming and supportive everyone was when I first joined the company, and I try to pay that forward.
Working remotely can be an adjustment, so I think it’s important for new hires to have a go-to person for questions and guidance. Mentoring also offers a fresh perspective—it challenges you to see things in new ways, refine your own approach, and continuously improve.
What advice would you give to someone new starting at Vispero?
D: Get involved wherever you can! When working remotely, it’s easy to feel disconnected, but TPGi has plenty of team chats—both work-related and for shared interests. It’s always fun to mention a topic in the general chat and discover there’s already an entire group dedicated to it. You also get to see what your colleagues are passionate about, whether it’s debating the latest movies, sharing book recommendations, or supporting someone’s fitness journey.
What are you most passionate about outside of work?
D: During lockdown, I got into running as a way to bring some structure to an uncertain time. I started with the Couch to 5K program (which I highly recommend!) and gradually increased my distance. Now, I’m a regular at my local parkrun and have completed over 100 of them.
The longest race I’ve done so far is a half-marathon, but I’ve (perhaps ambitiously) signed up for the Yorkshire Marathon in October. We’ll see how that goes!
Do you have any hidden talents or unique hobbies? Share them with us!
D: I don’t know how unique it is but one of our favorite family pastimes is geocaching—essentially a GPS-guided treasure hunt. It’s a great way to explore new places, and the promise of finding a hidden cache helps keep the kids engaged! In fact, we’re such big fans that I proposed to my wife, Sarah via a geocache I planted in one of our favorite spots on the North York Moors!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
D: A few things have stuck with me over the years:
- The lyrics to Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) by Baz Luhrmann have always resonated with me at different points in life.
- My dad encouraged me to separate worries into things I care about but can’t control and things I can actually do something about. That mindset, which I believe is rooted in Stoicism, has been invaluable.
- My wife often reminds me not to stress about tomorrow and to focus on the present—good advice, though easier said than done!
I don’t want to give the impression that I’m constantly worrying, but I do appreciate a good reminder to focus on what really matters!
What are you currently learning about (either professionally or personally)?
D: Right now, I’m deep in the details of the European Accessibility Act. Since the EN 301 549 testing standard hasn’t been fully updated to reflect the new requirements, there’s a lot of interpretation involved.
I’m also particularly interested in web accessibility for people with anxiety and panic disorders. I’m always curious about what aspects of the web cause stress and how we can make digital experiences less overwhelming.
Outside of work, I serve as a parent governor at my children’s school, which involves keeping up with a whole different set of policies and regulations.
Do you have a favorite quote or motto that you live by?
D: As an accessibility engineer, “It depends” is practically a professional motto—it reflects the nuance and subjectivity of many accessibility requirements. I’ve often heard it attributed to TPGi alumnus Patrick Lauke.
Another quote that’s stuck with me is from Nelson Mandela:
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
It’s a great reminder that even the toughest challenges are achievable with persistence and effort.
You have a time machine! Would you travel to the past or the future, and why?
D: I’d love to go back in time and see my parents when they were young—to get a different perspective on their lives before I came along. But I realize that’s essentially the plot of Back to the Future!
I’ve also always been fascinated by history’s great mysteries—who built Stonehenge, what’s really behind the Bermuda Triangle, how were the pyramids constructed, what happened to the Mary Celeste? It would be amazing to travel back and finally get some answers.