Budgeting for digital accessibility can seem overwhelming. Without clear guidelines or an understanding of what’s required, many businesses find it hard to start or maintain accessibility efforts.
This article simplifies the process by explaining why accessibility is important, the costs of ignoring accessibility, and what costs to expect when planning your accessibility projects.
Why Accessibility Matters
Digital accessibility isn’t optional anymore. Governments worldwide are enforcing stricter rules to ensure websites and apps are usable for everyone, including people with disabilities.
Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the European Accessibility Act require businesses to make their digital spaces accessible. Businesses that don’t comply risk lawsuits, fines, and damage to their reputations.
But accessibility isn’t just about avoiding legal trouble. Making your website or app accessible improves user experience, reaches more people, and strengthens your brand.
The Cost of Ignoring Accessibility
In 2023, more than 4,000 ADA-related website accessibility lawsuits were filed in the U.S. Many businesses also received demand letters that led to costly fixes. If your website isn’t accessible, you’ll end up spending money on legal fees, fines, and emergency fixes—often much more than if you addressed accessibility earlier.
Taking a proactive approach can reduce these risks and show you’re making an honest effort to comply with accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
The Business Benefits of Accessibility
Over one billion people worldwide have some form of disability. Making your website accessible helps you tap into this massive audience.
Think about it: Businesses invest heavily in tools like SEO to reach more customers. Ignoring accessibility is like shutting the door on millions of potential users.
Additionally, accessibility improvements can boost your site’s SEO and make it easier to navigate for everyone.
How to Approach Accessibility
The best way to ensure accessibility is through a mix of automated tools and human testing.
Automated Testing
Automated tools can quickly identify common issues like missing alt text or improper heading levels. They’re great for scanning large amounts of content and helping your team stay on track.
Human-Led Testing
Human testers, especially those with disabilities, can catch more complex issues that automated tools miss. These include problems with keyboard navigation, pop-ups, and interactive menus.
For a complete picture of your website’s accessibility, you need both methods.
Budgeting for Digital Accessibility
Here’s what you need to budget for when planning accessibility work:
1. Initial Audit and Fixes – Start with a full review of your website or app to find accessibility issues. Then, you can either work to fix them or reach out to Web Strategies for assistance. Budget for audits and potential fixes.
2. Ongoing Maintenance – Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix. Budget for regular checks and updates to ensure your website stays accessible as it changes.
3. Training for Your Team – Train your employees on accessibility best practices, especially those who work on your website or apps. This helps keep accessibility a priority in your business.
4. Legal and Compliance Support – If your website isn’t accessible, you may need to prepare for potential legal costs.
Factors That Affect Accessibility Costs
Just like building a house, the cost of making a website accessible depends on several factors:
- Size of the website or app: Larger, more complex sites take more time and effort to fix.
- Templates and components: Websites with many unique layouts or features may require more testing.
- Key user paths: For example, the checkout process on an e-commerce site is critical and requires extra attention.
If a vendor gives you a price without asking detailed questions, be cautious—it might not be accurate.
Ongoing Accessibility
Accessibility is never “finished.” As you update your website, it’s important to continue checking for and fixing issues. Regular audits and training keep your team prepared and your website compliant.
By investing in accessibility now, you not only reduce legal risks but also create a better experience for all users—growing your audience and strengthening your brand in the process.
Website accessibility isn’t just a legal obligation—it’s a way to ensure your digital presence is open to all users. Whether you need an audit, remediation, training, or ongoing monitoring, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to schedule your accessibility audit and take the first step toward a more inclusive, accessible website.