#FollowAccessAvenue
Meet Michelle (Shelley) Cowan, founder of Access Avenue and passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion. Based in Fermanagh, Shelley is an accessibility consultant, researcher and changemaker dedicated to developing solutions that break down barriers for people with disabilities.
Drawing on her own lived experience as a wheelchair user, Shelley has transformed challenges into opportunities creating Access Avenue to help businesses and communities become more inclusive. She also founded JustUs, a not-for-profit providing safe and accessible social activities for adults with disabilities. Her mission is clear: to empower people with disabilities to live, travel and connect with confidence.
To get us started – how would you describe yourself in 6 words or less?
Passionate, resilient, fun, bold, visionary, inclusive.
Tell us about your business and what inspired you to start it:
I’m an accessibility consultant, researcher and champion, developing solutions that make life easier for people with disabilities. Inspired by my own lived experience as a wheelchair user, I work to turn barriers into opportunities and help others travel and live with confidence.
Tell us a little bit more about you:
I’m from Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. Before becoming a founder, I spent 12 years confined to bed and requiring 24/7 care due to illness (4,380 days), followed by another decade facing barriers, accessibility challenges and discrimination. During this time, I completed my master’s in International Business using voice recognition technology.
I love animals, shopping and travelling, but my true passion is JustUs, a not-for-profit I founded to provide safe, inclusive and accessible social activities for adults with disabilities. Through it, I create opportunities for connection, community and empowerment.
Fill us in on your female founder journey:
My journey as a female founder has been a rollercoaster. I’ve had incredible opportunities, from joining all-female founder groups to building networks full of mentorship, innovation and friendships.
As a disabled entrepreneur, I’ve also had to push through barriers others don’t see, especially around funding. Application processes are often far from inclusive, and even attending events can be challenging as I need a carer to accompany me and take notes so I can fully participate.
My mind is like a washing machine of ideas most of the time; I want everything developed yesterday so the disabled community can benefit immediately. The pace can be frustrating, and it’s often lonely sourcing everything you need while making sure you’re doing things in the right order.
What I’ve learned is that doing it all alone is nearly impossible. You have to ask for help, seek advice, attend conferences, speak to experts and push for funding. Passion will keep you motivated, and sharing your challenges can help you find solutions you wouldn’t find on your own.
Being a female founder is exciting, frustrating, and absolutely worth it. The highs are incredible, the challenges are real, and every step teaches you something about resilience, creativity and the power of community.
How has being part of the AwakenHub community helped your business?
I recently joined AwakenHub to be part of a supportive entrepreneurial network. I wanted a space where I can ask questions, learn from others and connect with people who are as passionate (and maybe a little as crazy!) as I am, people who truly understand the challenges and busy life of female entrepreneurs.
I also joined to stay informed about events and opportunities that can help drive innovation forward, keeping my business moving and connected to a wider community of like-minded founders.
Do you have an ‘ask’ for the community?
I’d love to connect with anyone passionate about accessibility and inclusion, particularly within the hospitality and tourism sector.
I’m also looking for:
Funding opportunities
Connections in hospitality or tourism open to accessibility innovation
Recommendations for top conferences or networking opportunities for entrepreneurs
And I encourage everyone to think about accessibility in every platform you develop, every office you work in and everyday life — so everyone feels included.
As a founder, what are your non-negotiables? What values or principles do you live by? Who or what inspires you?
My non-negotiables are accessibility, inclusion and integrity. Everything I create or support must uphold these principles.
I live by the belief that barriers should be turned into opportunities. My dream is a world without limits, where everyone can participate fully and equally in society.
I’m inspired by the resilience and creativity of the disabled community, by fellow female entrepreneurs who push boundaries, and by the power of collaboration to create meaningful change.
My guiding words: “Passion drives progress.”
Where do you see yourself in 12 months and 5 years?
In 12 months, I want to have developed and launched inclusive travel solutions, reaching more people with disabilities and building stronger partnerships in hospitality and tourism. I’ll also continue growing JustUs, providing even more safe and accessible social activities for adults with disabilities.
In 5 years, I hope accessibility is considered standard, not optional. I want to scale internationally, empowering people with disabilities to travel confidently, while continuing to advocate for inclusion, influence policy and inspire future disabled entrepreneurs.
What are your top three tips for other women founders?
Follow your passion and create change. Break the rules. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and think your dream into existence.
Prioritise self-care. You can’t do it all. Rest and rejuvenate to avoid burnout.
Build a strong network. Surround yourself with friends, fellow entrepreneurs and supportive communities to stay motivated, find guidance and keep moving forward.
Six words to live by:
Dream, innovate, include, empower, persist, action.
Thank you to Shelley for sharing her powerful story and vision with us. You can connect with her and follow her journey here:
