How can you communicate the importance of accessibility to clients?

1 Explain the benefits

One of the most effective ways to communicate the importance of accessibility to clients is to show them how it can benefit their business goals and their users' needs. Accessibility can improve user satisfaction, loyalty, retention, and conversion, as well as reduce legal risks, maintenance costs, and technical issues. You can use examples, case studies, or testimonials from other successful accessible projects to illustrate these benefits and demonstrate the value of accessibility.

2 Educate the clients

Another way to communicate the importance of accessibility to clients is to educate them about the principles, standards, and best practices of inclusive design. You can explain what accessibility means, why it matters, and how it affects different user groups, such as people with disabilities, older adults, or people with low bandwidth or devices. You can also introduce them to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the most widely accepted framework for web accessibility, and how to apply them to their project.

3 Involve the clients

A third way to communicate the importance of accessibility to clients is to involve them in the design process and let them experience accessibility first-hand. You can invite them to participate in user research, testing, or feedback sessions with diverse and representative users, or to use assistive technologies, such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, or magnifiers, to access their own or competitors' websites. This can help them empathize with their users, identify accessibility issues, and appreciate accessibility solutions.

4 Align with the brand

A fourth way to communicate the importance of accessibility to clients is to align it with their brand identity, values, and mission. You can show them how accessibility can enhance their brand reputation, credibility, and social responsibility, and how it can align with their target audience, market segment, or industry sector. You can also highlight how accessibility can support their brand differentiation, innovation, and competitiveness, and how it can reflect their brand personality, tone, and style.

5 Provide guidance and support

A fifth way to communicate the importance of accessibility to clients is to provide them with guidance and support throughout the project lifecycle. You can offer them clear and realistic accessibility goals, strategies, and deliverables, and explain how they fit into the overall project scope, budget, and timeline. You can also provide them with accessibility tools, resources, and training, and help them monitor, evaluate, and improve their accessibility performance and compliance.

6 Negotiate and compromise

A sixth way to communicate the importance of accessibility to clients is to negotiate and compromise when necessary. You may encounter some resistance, objections, or challenges from your clients regarding accessibility, such as lack of awareness, interest, or resources, or conflicting priorities, preferences, or expectations. You can try to overcome these barriers by listening to their concerns, addressing their questions, and presenting your arguments with evidence and logic. However, you may also need to be flexible, adaptable, and respectful, and find a balance between your accessibility standards and their project requirements.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?