When I approach organisations about accessibility, I sometimes come across a dead-end objection like:
We definitely see the value in accessibility, but it's not in the budget for us right now.
It's definitely possible they don't have the money to shell out right then and there for an all-out accessibility initiative.
But it's not always the case.
Most of the time, what I read between the lines is a lack of commitment to accessibility rather than a lack of resources. And it's mostly my fault because I wasn't able to articulate the value correctly during the conversation.
If an organisation really wanted to prioritise accessibility, they could find ways to make it happen. The money is there, it's just allocated to different projects and initiatives. So they might try to reallocate funds from the other projects or implement changes gradually over time.
So when I hear them say they "see the value" in accessibility but don't take out the checkbook, I often think they "understand it's important, but it's not a priority" for them because I failed to make my case.
So I try to tackle this objection gracefully:
- Emphasize potential costs of non-compliance with accessibility laws, which often exceed the cost of implementation
- Show how accessibility can expand market reach and enhance overall user experience for everyone
- Propose a phased approach, beginning with high-impact, low-cost changes to demonstrate value
- Suggest ways to incorporate accessibility into current development processes without significant additional costs
- Connect accessibility to the organisation's mission and social responsibility commitments
I try to shift the conversation from "We can't afford it" to "We can't afford not to do it."
It doesn't always work.
Sometimes it's the money. Sometimes the willingness to do it just isn't there.