Inspiring others - one story, one step, one name at a time

By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature | Posted: Thursday May 21, 2026

Ōtepoti City of Literature celebrates accessibility advocate, adviser, and champion Julie Woods, as communities around the world mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day.

We are proud to collaborate regularly with Julie, who is one of our valued authors, and delight in helping share Braille name cards with Cities of Literature around the world — connecting communities through stories, language, and dots.

Waikouaiti recently turned on perfect weather for a visit from Julie, whose mission is to help make the world more accessible, one story, step, and name at a time.

Known for her trademark pink outfits, Julie was delighted to visit the charming pink-painted Petal Studios, where she brought out her slate and stylus to write names in Braille for customers. Over her stay she wrote 30 names, contributing to her ambitious project to write ‘1 Million Names in Braille’ — a simple but meaningful way to spark curiosity, inclusion, and understanding of accessible communication.

In 2019, Julie with friend and guide Jo Stodart began the ambitious challenge of walking every street in Dunedin, completing in October 2022. They later expanded the goal to Greater Dunedin, with Waikouaiti becoming their latest milestone. Julie, her husband — artist Ron Esplin — and Jo spent the weekend walking the town’s streets, creating opportunities for conversations, connection, and greater awareness about accessibility in everyday life.

Julie is an internationally recognised speaker, coach, and advocate for accessibility, resilience, and living life without limits. In 1997, at the age of 31 and raising two young sons, she lost her sight. Suddenly unable to drive, read, or even safely leave her front gate, she says she had ‘no idea’ how she would cope.

A turning point came when Julie realised that continually saying ‘no’ would limit her future. She chose instead to live by a ‘why not?’ mindset — a simple but powerful shift that continues to shape her life and advocacy today.

Julie’s advocacy encourages us to think differently about accessibility — whether through the spaces we create, the language we use, or the ways in which we work to include everyone in our communities.

Julie has visited 60 countries in 60 years, experienced the Seven Wonders of the World, walked 10 Dunedin half marathons, and walked every street in Dunedin. She is also a three-time nude touch rugby referee, an author, and a Supreme Award winner for ‘Cooking Without Looking’.

Her message is simple but powerful: challenge assumptions, embrace possibility, and ask — ‘Why not?’

Connect with Julie here: thatblindwoman.co.nz