In my journey as an accessibility subject matter expert, I have witnessed the evolution of how accessibility is integrated (or often, neglected) in the product development lifecycle.

Reflecting on my early days, I frequently encountered a recurring issue: accessibility testing was relegated to the final stages of development. This reactive approach not only inflated costs but also perpetuated a never-ending cycle of accessibility bugs being pushed back to engineering for fixes.

The early days: Accessibility as an afterthought

In the early stages of my career, accessibility was often considered a mere checkbox to be ticked at the end of the development process.

Products were tested for accessibility only after they were fully built, which led to significant challenges. Identifying and rectifying accessibility issues post-development proved to be an expensive endeavor.

Each bug discovered required revisiting the design and code, leading to delays and increased costs. Moreover, the continuous cycle of finding and fixing accessibility bugs kept the engineering teams perpetually occupied, diverting their focus from innovation and improvement.

The downside of the reactive approach

The reactive approach to accessibility testing brought about a host of drawbacks:

• Costly revisions: Fixing issues at the end of the development cycle required significant rework, driving up costs and extending timelines.
• Endless bug cycles: Accessibility bugs would often be pushed back to engineering, creating a cyclical pattern that hindered overall progress.
• Compromised quality: Addressing accessibility issues late in the game often led to compromises that negatively impacted the product's overall quality and user experience.
• Limited inclusion: The reactive approach failed to incorporate diverse abilities into the design process, resulting in products that did not fully cater to all users.

A paradigm shift: Embracing accessibility from the start

Recognizing these challenges, I became a staunch advocate for the shift-left approach, which emphasizes incorporating accessibility considerations right from the design phase.

By embedding accessibility into the early stages of product development, we can proactively address potential issues, streamline the development process and create products that are truly inclusive.

The benefits of proactive accessibility

• Reduced costs: Identifying and resolving accessibility issues early in the design phase is far less expensive than making changes post-development.
• Enhanced user experience: Integrating accessibility from the outset leads to a more seamless and enjoyable user experience for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
• Inclusive design: Involving people with diverse abilities in the design process ensures that the final product is intuitive and accessible to a wider audience.
• Streamlined development: A proactive approach minimizes the cycle of bug identification and fixes, allowing engineering teams to focus on innovation.

A call to action

As we move towards a more inclusive digital landscape, it is imperative to adopt the shift-left approach to accessibility.

By prioritizing accessibility from the design phase, we can create products that are not only cost-effective but also delightful to all users. This shift in mindset fosters inclusivity, elevates the user experience and ensures that our products reflect the diversity of the world we live in.

In conclusion, let us embrace the shift-left approach and make accessibility an integral part of our development process. Together, we can build a future where technology is accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities.

Want to learn more about HCLTech’s Accessibility-as-a-Service? Click here.