How Much Should You Budget for Web Accessibility?
Achieving compliance with web accessibility standards, such as the WCAG guidelines, is now a business imperative that organizations can no longer overlook. For any enterprise managing digital assets, the cost of accessibility needs to be factored into strategic planning, alongside knowledge, resources, and policy. The key question many businesses are grappling with is: how much should we budget for web accessibility?
In 2022 alone, over 4,000 lawsuits were filed against companies of all sizes for failing to meet disability rights laws. While these legal actions are rising year by year, the associated legal fees and settlement costs can far exceed the price of investing in accessibility audits, remediation, and training upfront.
Let’s break down the cost factors associated with making your digital assets accessible into six major categories:
- Accessibility software
- Accessibility audits
- Accessibility remediation
- Accessibility training
- Maintenance
- Legal and compliance
Accessibility Software
To ensure compliance with accessibility standards, enterprises often need to invest in software to assist with testing and evaluation. These tools can cover everything from WCAG compliance checks and PDF remediation to video captioning and accessibility monitoring systems.
A shift-left approach, integrating accessibility early in the design and development process, can significantly reduce long-term costs. By using tools like accessibility linters during development and running scans through accessibility monitoring systems, enterprises can catch and fix issues early on, lowering the cost of remediation later.
While open-source tools are available, many businesses prefer proprietary solutions for their enhanced security features and enterprise-level support. The pricing for these software programs varies based on usage, licensing, and feature set, but they are an essential part of budgeting for web accessibility.
Accessibility Audits
The cost of accessibility audits depends largely on the complexity of the application. Audits can be categorized into:
- Simple: Basic websites with content, navigation, and forms.
- Medium: Sites featuring multimedia (videos, images, etc.) and a few forms.
- Complex: Custom-built apps with intricate designs, workflows, and a mix of media.
Costs rise with complexity, the number of screens or pages to audit, and how quickly the audit is needed. A thorough audit will assess compliance against WCAG standards and highlight areas for remediation.
Accessibility Remediation
Remediation costs are tied directly to the number and complexity of the issues found during the audit. Accessibility issues can range from minor fixes, like adjusting a line of code for screen reader compatibility, to major overhauls that require redesigning complex elements.
For legacy systems, remediation can become more expensive. Upgrading older websites or applications to meet modern accessibility standards can involve re-architecting parts of the system and redesigning components from scratch, which adds to the overall cost.
Maintenance and Ongoing Updates
Achieving compliance is not a one-time effort. As new products, features, and updates are rolled out, accessibility must be maintained. Continuous monitoring, bug fixes, and updates in line with evolving WCAG standards ensure that digital assets remain accessible.
Maintenance is an ongoing cost, but integrating accessibility into the regular development cycle can prevent expensive retroactive fixes down the road.
Accessibility Training for Employees
Building accessibility into the DNA of an organization requires investment in training. Accessibility training helps developers, designers, and QA testers understand how to integrate accessibility into their workflows. By adopting a shift-left mindset, companies can bake accessibility into their product lifecycle from the start.
Hiring accessibility trainers or consultants to coach your teams can prevent costly mistakes, reduce legal risks, and foster in-house accessibility expertise, making future projects more cost-effective and sustainable.
Legal and Compliance Costs
Legal risks are a significant driver of web accessibility initiatives. Non-compliance with accessibility standards can lead to lawsuits, settlements, and demand letters. While some companies with resources might opt to settle out of court, this is not a sustainable approach.
Legal fees and compliance costs can be high, especially for small to medium-sized enterprises without the budget for in-house legal counsel. However, some accessibility vendors provide legal support to help organizations navigate these challenges and ensure they remain compliant with accessibility laws.
Conclusion: Balancing Cost and Compliance
The cost of achieving web accessibility varies by business size, industry, and the complexity of digital assets. Medium and large enterprises generally have the resources to invest in accessibility monitoring software, regular audits, training, and remediation. Small businesses, on the other hand, may opt for cost-effective solutions, like partial audits or collaboration with independent developers.
No matter the size of your business, the benefits of web accessibility extend beyond compliance. Accessible websites reach a broader audience, improve the user experience, and reduce the risk of costly legal action.
By planning your budget for web accessibility, integrating it into your business processes, and staying ahead of evolving standards, you can not only avoid legal risks but also position your company as a leader in digital inclusivity.
Here are a selection of accessibility tools and resources that can significantly support your enterprise’s digital accessibility endeavors.
- Accessibility Monitoring Systems
- Accessibility Tools (Open source)
- Accessibility Linters
- Accessibility Bookmarklets
- Accessibility Extensions
- PDF Accessibility Tools
- Accessibility Tools for Designers
- How to Perform Accessibility Testing?
