Trail designers know something product teams don't.
They watch where people actually walk, then build proper trails there. Architects and urban planners call these desire paths. These are paths that people have agreed are how they want to move from A to B and they might be different than what was initially planned and built for them.
Your users are already creating these paths on your website. They're using voice control to navigate, zooming text to 200%, hitting Tab repeatedly to skip past your mega-menu. The smart move is to follow these paths, instead of creating new ones.
Watch how people with disabilities actually use your product. Where do they struggle? What workarounds have they created? These are your desire paths.
Maybe users keep skipping straight to your search box. Then consider making it the first focusable element on the page.
Perhaps they're using high contrast mode and your subtle grey text disappears. Boost those colour ratios across the board. Everyone benefits from clearer text anyway.
Add proper headings where screen reader users expect them. Put descriptive link text where people need it most.
You don't have to create entirely new processes. You just have to reinforce paths that already exist and make them more reliable.
Trail designers reinforce the desire paths and build around them, making them safer. Then they go away and come back in a year to see what's changed.
Do the same. Keep observing where people are still cutting corners. Pay attention to what new assistive tech they're using.
Accessibility isn't following a rigid checklist. You're better off watching where your users want to go, then clearing the way so they can get there. Sometimes the best accessibility improvements feel invisible.
Because they should have been there all along.