Unlocking Efficiency and Growth: My Insights on Accessibility Governance

Today, at the end of a client call, I got a question from a client about accessibility governance.? The client asked if I had ever been part of creating such programs and I happily said “Yes”.? :)

Governance is one of my favorite things to help an organization develop.? The framework of rules, practices, and processes by which an organization is directed provides a clear framework for making informed decisions, helps identify and manage risks proactively, and leads to more efficient operations and contribute to long-term success.

About Accessibility Governance

Accessibility governance in corporate environments involves the establishment of policies, procedures, and practices aimed at ensuring digital accessibility is incorporated across organizations and departments. Key components and examples of what such a program entails include but are not limited to the following:

Accessibility Policies and Standards

• Create Corporate Digital Accessibility Policy: Start by defining the organization's commitment to making digital content and services accessible, referencing established and testable standards such as WCAG and applicable policies such as ADA II/III and/or Section 508.
• Define who will participate in creation of accessible content and how: Outline best practices and identify key roles and stakeholders who will collaborate on support efforts.
• Establish Design and Development Standards: Establish guidelines detailing how accessibility will be integrated into the process for all projects from concept to completion across design, engineering, and quality assurance testing organizations.

Accessibility Risk Management

• Conduct Accessibility Assessments: Conduct regular assessments on flagship software and maturity assessments across the org to identify and evaluate accessibility barriers in digital products and processes.
• Implement Remediation Plans: Develop and implement plans to address identified accessibility issues across flagship web content and digital applications.?
• Establish Accessibility Roadmaps: Create strategic plans to address identified accessibility issues, increase organizational maturity, and expand accessibility concepts

Accessibility Awareness and Training

• Expand Accessibility Awareness Program: Develop and deliver ongoing training programs to educate employees about accessibility principles, regulations, and best practices.
• Develop Role-Specific Training: Provide specialized training for different roles (e.g., developers, designers, content creators) to ensure understanding on how to implement accessible solutions.

Compliance and Audit

• Review Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with accessibility regulations and standards, such as WCAG, Section 508, and ADA.
• Conduct Internal Audits: Conduct regular internal audits to assess the effectiveness of accessibility processes and identify areas for improvement.
• Implement Third-Party Audits: Engage external auditors to perform independent assessments of the organization’s flagship software and applications

Continuous Monitoring and Improvement

• Employ Accessibility Monitoring Tools: Implement tools to continuously monitor the accessibility of digital assets and detect issues in real-time. Regularly scan for and address accessibility issues in the organization’s systems and applications.
• Track Performance Metrics: Track and report on accessibility performance metrics, such as the number of issues detected, mean time to resolution (MTTR), and compliance rates.

Business Continuity and Accessibility

• Implement Accessibility Continuity Plan: Develop a plan to ensure accessibility is maintained during business disruptions, such as website updates or platform migrations.
• Disaster Recovery for Accessibility: Create a plan to restore accessibility features and services after a disruption.

Conclusion

These are only some of the? components I believe should be included in corporate accessibility governance programs. Regardless of how the work is dons, good governance is a critical factor in a company's success, and provides a solid foundation for sustainable growth, risk management, and efficient operations.