I got lots of things wrong in my career. I'll never regret any as much as I do this one.
In the beginning, I used to pitch accessibility to product people where I would prop myself up to be the hero. I was the expert. I knew what was broken even before they did. I had done the audits and I had seen everything before.
All they had to do was shut up, listen to me and do as they're told.
The subtext to all this was hard to miss. They needed me.
Boy, was I wrong!
All I was doing was putting these people on the defensive. Nobody wants to be told they got it wrong. Or that they didn't know. Nobody likes it when you correct them. Which is why you always hear things like "well, actually" or "sure, but." The moment they feel like they're being put on the spot, they stop listening and start protecting themselves.
All they want is to be the hero.
The better pitch makes them the ones who finally decided to do what nobody else did. After all, the problem didn't start with them. It really is an industry-wide blind spot. More miss it than see it. So I help them see it for what it is. A wave that's coming regardless. Regulations, lawsuits and user expectations are all tightening. The only choice is whether they get ready in time or scramble later. One makes them a hero, another...
In reality, everyone's the hero of their own stories. My job was never to save the day. All I have to do is show them the way.