From Dunedin to Global Inspiration

Born in the “Edinburgh of the South,” Dunedin, New Zealand, Julie Woods earned a Bachelor of Commerce from Otago University in 1987. But her greatest lessons in resilience and reinvention came later—when life took an unexpected turn.

After returning from overseas travel in the early 90s, Julie discovered she was pregnant with her first son, Zachary. Just 18 months after the birth of her second son, Sebastian, she noticed something strange—her bathroom floor was shimmering. Already partially sighted, Julie sought medical help, and on March 27, 1997, she was declared legally blind. Faced with an overwhelming reality, she had two choices: to be pitied or admired. Julie chose the latter.

Turning Challenge into Opportunity

Losing her sight wasn’t the end of Julie’s story—it was the beginning of an extraordinary new chapter. In June 2001, she became a single blind parent. Instead of letting adversity define her, she focused on learning new skills, embracing her independence, and turning obstacles into opportunities. One of those opportunities? Falling in love—with Braille.

Determined to reclaim the written word, Julie immersed herself in learning Braille, a decision that would shape her career and fuel her passion for accessibility. In 2003, she became the Braille Literacy Coordinator at the Blind Foundation, where she championed literacy, independence, and creativity. Her projects, including the famous Braille Biscuits and the Bling Your Cane contest, brought fun and awareness to accessibility in everyday life.