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Understanding stakeholder concerns

1 minute read

You've proposed a major accessibility overhaul. You know it's the right thing, but now you've become a target and face push-back from the development team worried about tight deadlines, designers concerned about creative constraints and executives focused on budget limits.

Sound familiar?

Stakeholders often have valid concerns. The problem is they’re not always voiced upfront. As a product owner, your job is to listen and address these concerns before they become roadblocks.

Start by identifying who your stakeholders are.

Think of developers who will worry about the technical complexity of implementing accessibility. Think of designers who think it limits their creative freedom. Think of executives who focus on costs and timelines.

The key is to empathise with each group.

For developers, explain how accessibility can be integrated into existing workflows with tools like automated testing.

For designers, highlight how accessibility can enhance creativity by pushing for more intuitive and user-friendly designs.

And for executives, frame accessibility as an investment that reduces long-term risks and boosts customer loyalty.

That's how you build trust and collaboration. When stakeholders feel heard, they’re more likely to buy into the vision and work together to make it happen.

Did you enjoy this bite-sized message?

I send out short emails like this every day to help you gain a fresh perspective on accessibility and understand it without the jargon, so you can build more robust products that everyone can use, including people with disabilities.

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