Digital accessibility
Top 5 considerations for a robust organization-wide accessibility framework
How to build a steadfast framework, and how it could elevate your product’s potential for all users
Imagine yourself stepping into the role of creating a digital accessibility framework for your organization. This isn’t a rigid set of rules, but a dynamic guide filled with detailed steps to integrate accessibility features. It’s flexible, adaptable to varied scenarios and distinct from a typical, rigid policy. Instead, this framework will serve as a compass, guiding your organization toward inclusivity.
As you face this new responsibility, it may initially appear as a Herculean task — a labyrinthine challenge of massive significance. However, bear in mind that it is not just a daunting endeavor, but also an ethical imperative linked with a savvy business strategy.
Consider a 2018 study by the American Institutes for Research which revealed an eye-opening fact: disabled individuals, amassing a combined income that exceeds $490 billion, represent a substantial and rapidly expanding market sector [1]. When you prioritize accessibility, your organization does not simply contribute to social equity, it also uncovers a competitive advantage by reaching into an expanded reservoir of potential customers.
There’s more to it. Research in the field of neurodiversity reveals another fascinating insight. When diverse needs are factored in during product design, it can ignite a spark of innovation, generating solutions that cater to all users. This principle, termed the ‘Curb-Cut Effect’, proposes that what may be indispensable for some users could enhance the usability of a product for everyone [2].
Now, you might be wondering about the best place to start on this path. Fear not. In this article, I’m going to share with you the top 5 universal considerations, the keystones to constructing a robust digital accessibility framework suitable for organizations of all scales and sizes. This will not only equip you to design an inclusive digital environment accessible to all users but also pioneer your journey towards market innovation, securing your organization a leading position in this critical domain.
- Leadership commitment
Creating an inclusive digital environment begins with a strong commitment from your company’s leadership. Leadership should actively demonstrate their support by creating and enforcing accessibility policies, dedicating resources, and fostering a culture that values inclusivity and diversity.
The commitment must be embedded in the company’s values and reflected in every organizational decision. By putting accessibility at the forefront of business operations, leaders signal to employees, customers, and stakeholders that the organization prioritizes equal access to digital content for all users.
2. Understanding, advocating, and standardizing accessibility
Fostering a deep understanding of what accessibility involves and recognizing its ethical and economic importance is the cornerstone of creating a digital accessibility framework. Advocacy for inclusivity, rooted in ethics and good business sense, becomes the driving force behind such an initiative. Therefore, this understanding and commitment to digital accessibility should be deeply embedded at all levels of your organization.
This commitment goes beyond mere compliance, shaping strategies, processes, and organizational culture toward a more inclusive environment where everyone can participate fully and equally.
Understanding and adhering to established accessibility standards is critical to developing any digital accessibility framework. Internationally recognized guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) [3], the ADA Standards [4], and Section 508 Standards [5] offer extensive guidance on enhancing the accessibility of digital content.
These guidelines offer explicit instructions spanning diverse areas including but not limited to, providing text alternatives for non-text content, designing content that can be presented in different ways without loss of information, facilitating easier navigation, and ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies.
3. Assembling an accessibility team and integrating accessibility into existing processes
Assembling a dedicated accessibility team is a critical step in maintaining a continuous focus on accessibility throughout all stages of product development and beyond. It should be considered as an integral part of creating an accessibility framework. This team should consist of representatives from multiple departments, which helps ensure that all areas of your organization are involved and committed to your shared accessibility goals.
However, it’s important to remember that accessibility isn’t an ‘add-on’, but rather an integral aspect that should be integrated into your existing processes. This spans across all departments and roles, from design, to development, to quality assurance. By adopting an inclusive mindset from the onset, you’ll be laying the groundwork for the development of superior, universally designed products.
This proactive approach not only fosters a more inclusive product, but also optimizes resources by minimizing the need for substantial adjustments later in the development process. In this way, the dedicated accessibility team can drive the effective integration of accessibility principles into your organization’s overall workflow.
4. Training and awareness
Investing in regular training sessions for all is necessary to effectively implement digital accessibility across the organization, but it’s especially important for those involved in the creation and maintenance of digital platforms.
Regular training programs should be conducted for designers, developers, content creators, and customer support representatives, among others.
Training helps embed accessibility into the company culture and everyday work processes, ensuring that everyone knows how to create and maintain accessible digital content. Regular updates and refresher sessions are also necessary to keep up with evolving standards and technologies.
5. Regular accessibility testing, auditing, and feedback
Finally, a comprehensive digital accessibility framework should encompass regular testing and evaluation of products and services. This includes both automated and manual testing, as well as soliciting feedback from individuals.
It’s crucial to remember that accessibility is not a one-time task; it demands an ongoing commitment to continuous effort and improvement. Regular evaluations enable the identification and rectification of any shortcomings, ensuring that the company’s digital offerings maintain accessibility and user-friendliness.
Fostering an open feedback loop with users, particularly those with disabilities, is of paramount importance. Embracing their insights and experiences allows for continuous enhancement of accessibility measures, ensuring that your organization remains responsive to their needs and aspirations.
Summing up
Building a robust digital accessibility framework is a dynamic, multi-dimensional process. It demands more than mere compliance; it necessitates strong leadership commitment, steadfast adherence to rigorous standards, and the embracing of inclusive design principles. Furthermore, it calls for an investment in continual training to keep up with evolving best practices, as well as a commitment to regular testing and evaluation to ensure ongoing accessibility. These components represent only the tip of the iceberg in the comprehensive approach required for true digital inclusivity.
While it may seem like a daunting task, the benefits are immeasurable — not only does it ensure equal access for all users, but it also results in better products and services and a stronger business reputation.
References
[1] American Institutes for Research (2018) ‘A Hidden Market: The Purchasing Power of People With Disabilities’. Available at: https://www.air.org/resource/report/hidden-market-purchasing-power-working-age-adults-disabilities (Accessed: 11 June 2023).
[2] Latimer, A. and Pouw, N. (2017) ‘The Curb-Cut Effect’, Stanford Social Innovation Review. Available at: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_curb_cut_effect (Accessed: 12 June 2023).
[3] W3C. (n.d.). Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview. Available at: https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/ (Accessed: 12 June 2023).
[4] ADA. (n.d.). Design Standards. Available at: https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/design-standards/ (Accessed: 12 June 2023).
[5] Section508. (n.d.). Laws and Policies. Available at: https://www.section508.gov/manage/laws-and-policies/ (Accessed: 12 June 2023).
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