I think there's little debate that accessibility on the web is crucial for ensuring equal access to information and services. But some organisations still opt for a "fake it till you make it" approach. They choose to create the illusion of accessibility without addressing any of the real issues.
A few tactics come to mind:
- They rely on accessibility overlays. These third-party tools claim to fix accessibility issues automatically and instead create new problems and provide a subpar user experience.
- They publish vague accessibility statements. I've read plenty of claims where they're "striving for accessibility" and don't have any concrete plans or timelines.
- They implement surface-level changes. Just because you added alt text to some images and adjusted colour contrast slightly doesn't mean you've addressed the deeper structural issues.
- They rely exclusively on automated testing tools. Just running a basic scan won't give you the right to claim compliance, when you're ignoring the need for manual testing and real user feedback.
- They outsource accessibility or rely on untrained staff. If you assign accessibility tasks to employees without proper training you'll only get inadequate solutions.
This fake-it-till-you-make-it approach is flawed.
It fails to address real user needs, probably excluding people with disabilities. It will damage your brand reputation when the lack of genuine accessibility is discovered. Plus you're wasting resources on ineffective solutions instead of investing in proper accessibility.
What's the alternative then?
- Commit to a long-term accessibility strategy with clear goals and timelines.
- Involve people with disabilities in your design and testing process.
- Provide comprehensive accessibility training to your staff.
- Integrate accessibility into your development lifecycle from the beginning.
I call this the "Build it right, keep it tight" approach.
Do things correctly from the beginning and maintain that standard throughout.