The biggest lesson I've learned in about 12 years of web experience is that when people feel heard and involved, they’re more likely to support and champion your cause. This applies of course to your accessibility initiatives.
Nothing beats open dialogue and actionable input from developers, designers and executives. If you manage to address their concerns early by aligning solutions with their goals, you're well on your way to winning the day.
The second biggest lesson is not to ignore the power of end-user feedback. Involve people with disabilities in testing and you'll uncover insights that turn good designs into great ones. You can't beat their firsthand experience.
And here’s a bonus tip.
Celebrate small wins along the way.
Did your team fix a major accessibility issue? Share the success!
Did you get a stellar feedback from a customer with disabilities? Share it with everyone on your team!
Recognising progress keeps morale high and reinforces the value of everyone's accessibility efforts.
And it's this sense of shared ownership that what ultimately pushes everyone to do better.