Introducing Powerbase Access Academy

Human potential.
Without barriers.

Creating workplaces where everyone can access, participate, develop and contribute.

Explore our programmesTry the Access Check

We bring together leadership expertise, accessible technology and lived experience to help organisations turn inclusion into practical action.

For leaders, managers, HR and L&D professionals, teams and individuals who want to unlock the potential of every contributor.

Our philosophy

Accessibility starts
with understanding.

Accessibility begins with understanding how people experience the world—and what gets in the way of their participation.

Barriers can exist in physical spaces, digital tools, communication, learning experiences, workplace behaviours and career opportunities. Some are visible. Others become apparent only when we listen to the people affected.

By combining professional expertise with lived experience, we help organisations ask better questions, challenge assumptions and make practical changes.

A principle that guides our work

Design WITH people.
Not simply FOR people.

Performance means having the opportunity to contribute, develop, progress and fulfil your potential.

AwarenessUnderstandingAccessibilityInclusionPerformance
What makes us different

Three perspectives.
One shared purpose.

Leadership

Powerbase brings experience in leadership development, communication, learning, behaviour and organisational capability. We help leaders translate inclusive intentions into everyday decisions and actions.

Technology

Our partnership with YouApps brings practical accessibility technology into the conversation, demonstrating how thoughtful digital design can remove barriers and support greater independence.

Lived experience

Our accessibility partner brings personal insight as a Person of Determination, alongside experience developing accessible applications. This connects organisational intentions with the realities people encounter.

Leadership + Technology + Lived Experience = Inclusive Performance

Our five pillars

From access to contribution.

Five connected pillars link accessibility with human potential and organisational performance.

01

Communication

Information everyone can engage with

Make conversations, documents and meetings easier to access, understand and engage with.

02

Technology

Tools that open possibilities

Explore digital tools, assistive features and thoughtful design that support participation and independence.

03

Learning

Capability without avoidable barriers

Create accessible learning experiences that build confidence, skills and capability.

04

Opportunity

Pathways to develop and progress

Remove avoidable barriers to recruitment, networking, development and career progression.

05

Contribution

Strengths that make a difference

Create environments where people can use their strengths, have a voice and contribute meaningfully.

Learning with practical impact

Programmes that turn
awareness into action.

Discussion, lived-experience insights, practical activities and workplace application. Content and delivery can be tailored to your audience and priorities.

01

Accessibility in Action

2-hour interactive workshop

A practical introduction to accessibility and inclusion. Explore lived experience, discover how design and technology can create or remove barriers, and identify changes across spaces, tools and people.

For: Leaders, managers, HR, L&D and workplace teams

Discuss this programme
02

Inclusive Leadership

Build teams where everyone can contribute

Develop the awareness, behaviours and confidence to lead inclusively. Explore assumptions, psychological safety, accessible meetings, supportive conversations and practical adjustments.

For: Managers, team leaders and aspiring leaders

Discuss this programme
03

Inclusive Digital Communication

Make everyday communication more accessible

Improve emails, documents, presentations, online meetings and digital content. Explore clarity, readability, visual design, captions and human judgement when using AI-generated content.

For: Anyone who creates or shares workplace information

Discuss this programme
04

Accessible Learning & Development

Create learning that enables participation

Design accessible training materials, presentations, digital learning and classroom activities. Explore different learning needs, assistive technology and neuroinclusive design.

For: L&D teams, trainers, facilitators and instructional designers

Discuss this programme
05

Career Without Barriers

Build confidence, capability and career direction

Support People of Determination to recognise their strengths, communicate their value, build networks, navigate the workplace and plan their development and progression.

For: Individuals developing their careers and organisations supporting inclusive talent development

Discuss this programme
06

Talent Without Barriers

Create inclusive pathways to progression

Strengthen career conversations, development plans, mentoring, coaching and progression practices. Identify hidden barriers and build clearer, fairer opportunities for talent to grow.

For: Leaders, managers, HR and talent-development professionals

Discuss this programme
Your starting point

How accessible and inclusive is your organisation?

Our Access Check offers a short opportunity to reflect on current practice across spaces, tools, people and career development.

16 questions. Four areas. Your Access Snapshot. Identify strengths, visibility gaps and priorities for further exploration.

A self-reflection tool, rather than an audit or certification. Responses stay in this page and are not sent to Powerbase or stored.

Open the 16-question Access Check

Answer based on current practice. Choose “Don’t know” when you do not have enough information.

Spaces

1. Our physical environments are accessible to people with different mobility and sensory needs.
2. Our meeting, learning and event spaces enable people with different needs to participate comfortably.
3. Accessibility is considered when we design or modify employee and customer environments.
4. We consider factors such as lighting, noise, signage, navigation and sensory load.

Tools

5. Accessibility is considered when we select websites, apps, software and digital tools.
6. Important documents, presentations and communications are designed to be easy to access and understand.
7. People can access assistive technology or accessibility features when they need them.
8. We test whether our digital systems and information work effectively for people with different needs.

People

9. Our leaders understand the role accessibility plays in inclusion and performance.
10. People would feel comfortable raising an accessibility barrier or asking for support.
11. Accessibility is considered in recruitment, onboarding, communication, learning and development.
12. People with lived experience are involved when accessibility improvements are being considered.

Career Development & Progression

13. Employees with disabilities / People of Determination have career conversations that explore their strengths, aspirations and development needs.
14. Learning, mentoring, coaching and stretch opportunities are accessible to employees with different needs, with adjustments available where required.
15. Promotion and progression decisions use clear, fair criteria and consider how barriers or assumptions may affect employees with different needs.
16. We review whether employees with disabilities / People of Determination can access development and progression opportunities, and act on barriers identified.
Meet us in Dubai

AccessAbilities Expo

Discover Powerbase Access Academy, explore accessibility technology and talk to us about your organisation’s priorities.

19–21 October 2026
Dubai World Trade Centre

Arrange a conversation
VISIT US AT STAND6210Leadership · Technology · Lived Experience
Let’s unlock human potential

Build your next step
with us.

Build awareness. Equip your leaders. Improve communication. Make learning more accessible. Strengthen career opportunities.

We can help you shape a practical programme for your organisation.

Talk to Catherine Bentley

Discuss a workshop or tailored programme.

Catherine.bentley@powerbaseconsulting.com
+971 50 283 1945

Enquire about a programme