Translations

Secure buy-in from senior management

Support from management helps ensure budget and resources are available for accessibility activities. A strong business case, tailored to organizational goals, will help.

Create an accessibility policy

An accessibility policy for your organization should define your goals and targets regarding the accessibility of web content and services. Ensure there is a clear indication of standards to be adhered to, scope of the policy, and milestones. Consider also an internal process for how accessibility will be monitored.

Provide a publicly available website accessibility statement

An external website accessibility statement should include details on conformance levels and any specific accessibility accommodations provided for users. It is also helpful to provide a contact mechanism for people who might have difficulties with the website as a result of disability.

Identify team accessibility contacts

Identify key project team members who will have responsibility for leading accessibility activities and to function as primary contacts for accessibility questions. Ensure there is representation from across all project areas such as design, content creation, development, and quality assurance. In smaller teams it is likely that one individual will have primary responsibility for accessibility.

Provide accessibility awareness training

Accessibility awareness training should be provided for all team members. This should seek to introduce accessibility and explain why it is important. Ideally it will also cover aspects of how people with disabilities use the web to cultivate a better appreciation of why certain accommodations are important.

Plan for regular accessibility checks

Seek to identify accessibility barriers early by undertaking regular checks throughout the project life-cycle. These checks need not be extensive but should aim to identify common barriers. Such checks can also help in developing team understanding of accessibility and reinforcing good practice. More significant delivery milestones should be preceded by a comprehensive accessibility evaluation.

Involve users with disability in any usability testing

Any usability testing should seek to incorporate feedback from people with disabilities. This is especially important for websites where the target audience are likely to benefit more from accessible solutions, such as older people.

Learn more about accessibility

These tips are important points to consider when managing website accessibility, but there is always more to learn. The following resources will help you find out more about accessibility, why it is important, and what guidelines exist to help support people with disabilities accessing the web.