Why Accessibility Is An Operational Capability, Not A Feature

Teams can generate UI faster than ever, but they still have to guarantee that what they ship is usable, secure, and maintainable. In recent years, the concept of accessibility has gained significant attention, and for good reason. As technology continues to advance and become an integral part of our daily lives, it’s essential that digital products are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

However, many teams view accessibility as a feature or an afterthought, something that can be tacked on at the end of a project. This approach can lead to a checklist of compliance requirements, rather than a holistic consideration of how to make a product truly accessible. In this article, we’ll explore why accessibility should be treated as an operational capability, rather than a feature, and what that looks like in practice.

The Problem with Treating Accessibility as a Feature

When teams treat accessibility as a feature, they often approach it as a set of requirements to be checked off at the end of a project. This can lead to a number of problems, including:

• Inadequate testing: When accessibility is treated as an afterthought, teams may not have the time or resources to thoroughly test their product for accessibility issues.
• Insufficient design consideration: By not considering accessibility from the outset, teams may design products that are not accessible, and then have to retrofit them to meet accessibility standards.
• Compliance-focused approach: When accessibility is treated as a feature, teams may focus solely on meeting compliance requirements, rather than considering the actual needs of users with disabilities.

These problems can lead to digital products that are not truly accessible, and may even create new barriers for users with disabilities.

Why Accessibility Should Be an Operational Capability

Treating accessibility as an operational capability means that it is integrated into every aspect of the product development process, from design to deployment. This approach has a number of benefits, including:

• Improved user experience: By considering accessibility from the outset, teams can design products that are more intuitive and easier to use for all users, regardless of ability.
• Reduced risk: By prioritizing accessibility, teams can reduce the risk of non-compliance and associated legal and reputational risks.
• Increased efficiency: When accessibility is integrated into the development process, teams can avoid costly retrofits and reduce the time and resources required to address accessibility issues.

So, what does it look like to treat accessibility as an operational capability? Here are some key considerations:

Integrate Accessibility into the Design Process

Accessibility should be considered from the outset of the design process. This means:

• Conducting user research: Teams should conduct user research to understand the needs and preferences of users with disabilities.
• Creating accessible design patterns: Teams should establish accessible design patterns and standards to ensure consistency throughout the product.
• Using accessible design tools: Teams should use design tools that support accessibility, such as tools that provide accessibility audits and suggestions for improvement.

Make Accessibility a Part of the Development Process

Accessibility should be integrated into the development process, including:

• Writing accessible code: Developers should write code that follows accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1).
• Conducting automated testing: Teams should use automated testing tools to identify accessibility issues early in the development process.
• Performing manual testing: Teams should also perform manual testing to ensure that the product is accessible to users with disabilities.

Establish an Accessibility Governance Model

Establishing an accessibility governance model helps ensure that accessibility is prioritized and integrated into the development process. This includes:

• Defining accessibility policies and standards: Teams should define accessibility policies and standards to ensure consistency throughout the organization.
• Assigning accessibility responsibilities: Teams should assign accessibility responsibilities to specific individuals or teams to ensure that accessibility is prioritized.
• Providing accessibility training: Teams should provide accessibility training to ensure that all team members understand the importance of accessibility and how to implement it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, accessibility should be treated as an operational capability, rather than a feature. By integrating accessibility into every aspect of the product development process, teams can create digital products that are truly accessible and usable by everyone, regardless of ability. This approach not only improves the user experience, but also reduces risk and increases efficiency. By prioritizing accessibility, teams can ensure that their digital products are usable, secure, and maintainable, and that they provide equal access to information and opportunities for all users.

As teams continue to generate UI faster than ever, it’s essential that they prioritize accessibility and make it an integral part of their development process. By doing so, they can create digital products that are truly accessible and provide equal access to information and opportunities for all users.