Accessibility
Maturity
Embarking on the journey towards better accessibility often starts with small steps and a recognition of the need for change.
Accessibility maturity models help organizations understand their current standing and guide their progression towards creating more inclusive environments and digital products.
Congratulations, you’re a
Starter
Your organisation is just beginning its accessibility journey. There is probably little to no resouces currently placed towards accessibility, with actions being largely reactive and ad hoc. At this stage, there may be a vague sense that being accessible is probably “good”, but there is limited organisational understanding about the competitive, operational or product benefits of accessibility.
In this early stage, there may be one or two employees who have become de facto accessibility specialists, but they lack the authority to influence decision-making significantly. The organisation's awareness of accessibility is minimal, and most accessibility actions occur by chance rather than through strategic planning. Executive motivations for addressing accessibility issues might stem from external pressures such as complaints, rather than a proactive commitment to inclusivity.
The positive aspect of being at the Starter level is the significant potential for growth. Since most actions have yet to be implemented, nearly every step taken towards improving accessibility will have a substantial impact, setting the stage for meaningful progress and the development of more inclusive practices.
What this might look like
at your organisation:
Accessibility training is minimal or non-existent, dependent on individuals seeking it out.
A product or feature’s accessibility is largely based on the individuals involved, as there is no process or expectation for accessibility in place.
Minimal steps in the product lifecycle to ensure its accessibility.
Procurement has minimal accessibility built into it. For buying organisations, the legal compliance of vendor products is assumed and not verified. For vendors, accessibility is not advertised as a feature of the product.
No publicly available accessibility statement on your organisation’s website.
Little to no budget or resources allocated towards accessibility.
Importance of building accessibility into organisational practices is not recognized at the senior leadership level.
A diversity and inclusion policy exists but there is no specific reference to disability.
Accessibility is not mentioned in job descriptions that your organisation posts.
What’s next?
Now that you’ve determined what accessibility maturity level your organisation is at, it’s time to create an action plan to determine your next steps. Aleph Accessibility’s roadmap workshop will explore the 5 dimensions of accessibility to identify your strengths and areas for improvement, and craft an action plan that is strategic and specific to your organisation.
You can also explore auditing to help you establish a baseline or training options to upskill your staff.