Web Accessibility: More Than Just Checking Boxes
The Urgent Call
The call came on a Tuesday morning - one of our long-standing clients was in a panic. "We just received a legal notice," their marketing director explained, voice tight with stress. "We're being sued for lack of accessibility on our website." Unfortunately, this scenario has become increasingly common as web accessibility standards are more strictly enforced. What had seemed like a "nice-to-have" suddenly became an urgent legal matter with potential financial and reputational consequences.
Understanding the Stakes
At Bright Plum, we immediately assembled our accessibility team and scheduled an emergency meeting with the client. The stakes were clear: their website needed to be accessible to all users, regardless of ability, not just to comply with legal requirements but because inclusive design is simply the right approach. Their situation highlighted a critical reality many businesses overlook - web accessibility isn't optional anymore, and retrofitting can be more costly and stressful than building it in from the start.
Comprehensive Testing & Analysis
Our first step was comprehensive testing. We knew that relying on a single tool would be insufficient, as each has limitations. We employed five distinct testing tools to ensure complete coverage, meticulously documenting every potential issue. One crucial discovery was the prevalence of false positives - instances where automated tools flagged items that weren't actual accessibility violations. For example, some tools incorrectly flagged decorative images properly marked in the code. Human expertise proved essential in distinguishing genuine issues from false alarms.
Implementation & Verification
With a clear understanding of the legitimate problems, we implemented necessary fixes and pushed them live. But we didn't stop there - we ran all audits again to verify our solutions worked as intended without introducing new issues. For complete transparency, we compiled a comprehensive report detailing every testing tool used, all flagged items, documentation of our fixes, and examples of false positives with supporting code. Most importantly, we implemented monthly compliance checks against WCAG 2.1 AA standards, recognizing that accessibility isn't a one-time fix but an ongoing commitment.
Beyond Compliance: The Real Victory
The real victory wasn't just avoiding legal consequences - it was creating a more inclusive website that better served all users. Our client saw immediate benefits: increased engagement from users with disabilities, improved SEO performance, and enhanced user experience across all demographics. This experience transformed their perspective on accessibility from a compliance burden to a business advantage. Today, they're advocates for proactive accessibility measures, understanding that creating inclusive digital spaces isn't just about avoiding lawsuits - it's about embracing and serving their entire audience while protecting their business.