Sally Britnell

Dr. Sally Britnell brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise to her role on the Board of Deafblind Association New Zealand. Living with deafblindness, Sally understands firsthand the challenges that people with sensory impairments face. She combines this insight with a robust background in healthcare, digital health, and accessibility, making her an influential advocate for accessibility standards and inclusive practices.

In addition to her board role, Sally serves as an expert panelist for the Blind Low Vision Policy and Advocacy team at Blind Low Vision NZ, advising on policies to improve accessibility and inclusion for individuals who are blind, low vision or deafblind. She has extensive experience serving on boards and committees, particularly within the digital health sector, where she drives initiatives promoting accessibility and social change. Her expertise also extends to the W3C, where she contributes to digital accessibility standards, including mobile accessibility, ensuring technology and services support the needs of all users. She also serves as a Director on the Health Informatics NZ Board and is on a funding committee for Hato Hone St John in Auckland.

Sally’s career began in healthcare, where she worked as an emergency nurse, and had multiple roles in a St John Ambulance. She transitioned into academia and has worked as a university lecturer and researcher for over a decade, focusing on health informatics / digital health and accessibility research. With a strong record of public speaking, research and advocacy, Sally is dedicated to expanding accessibility and reshaping societal perceptions of disability. Her combined experience in healthcare, academia, and digital health makes her a vital asset to Deafblind Association New Zealand, where she works to enhance the quality of life and opportunities for those with combined vision and hearing loss.

You can follow Sally and her guide dog, Sienna, on Facebook by searching "Guide Dog Sienna".

Sally Britnell and Sienna.