Build an accessibility strategy that reduces risk and supports long-term change
For many of our clients, and especially in regulated industries such as finance, digital accessibility is no longer a niche issue.
In many cases the regulator is looking for a clear roadmap to show how you are managing accessibility risk and embedding accessibility into everyday decision-making. It is directly linked to their concerns about cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, customer experience, trust and managing the risks of AI.
AbilityNet help organisations in the financial sector and others to build and deliver their accessibility strategy.
We help you look at where you are today, decide what matters most and then build a practical roadmap for improvement.
- Clear priorities based on organisational risk, customer needs and business goals
- A proven methodology using our Digital Accessibility Maturity Model
- Experienced consultants who can secure buy-in from leadership and key stakeholders
- Independent expertise from specialists working across regulated sectors
- A structured approach that supports sustainable progress rather than reactive fixes
Talk to us about your accessibility strategy
Not sure what strategic support you need?
Many senior stakeholders we work with know that accessibility is important, but don't know how to respond strategically.
AbilityNet provides the independent expertise, authority and practical guidance needed to build a strategic programme that delivers tangible change, such as:
- A continuing process that embeds accessibility assurance into all products, services and customer journeys;
- Close working with compliance and ther colleagues to identify and reduce compliance and reputational risks related to accessibility;
- Working across teams to improve the experience of vulnerable customers;
- Engaging and aligning with the work of technology, marketing, compliance and customer experience teams;
- Providing the insights that decision-makers need to move at pace.
Building on the AbilityNet Digital Accessibility Maturity Model (DAMM)
Many organisations use our highly regarded DAMM to gain valuable insight into their current level of accessibility maturity.
It's free to download, so you can work on this yourself, or you can ask us to help manage the consultation process and work with internal stakeholders.
It helps you to work with a range of stakeholders, including accessibility leaders, CTOs, customer experience teams, compliance specialists and senior decision-makers.
It reviews current challenges and sets clear goals to address strategic priorities:
- Which issues create the greatest business risks?
- What actions can we take?
- What actions should we prioritise?
- Who needs to be involved?
- How do we maintain momentum across the organisation?
By understanding and sharing strategic priorities you can create practical roadmaps that support organisational objectives and reduce risks.
Talk to us about accessibility strategy
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Why choose AbilityNet?
- A purpose-led global leader with 25 years of experience;
- Trusted by the global brands form all sectors;
- Proven strategy and policy development through our Digital Accessibility Maturity Model;
- Current advice about changes in regulation, compliance and standards;
- Connecting governance and risk with customer experience and competitive advantage.
How do we get stakeholders such as CTOs, CMOs, compliance leaders and other senior executives engaged with our accessibility strategy?
This is one of the most common challenges organisations face.
Accessibility programmes are rarely successful when they sit with a single specialist team. Lasting progress usually requires support from technology, customer experience, marketing, compliance, procurement, product and executive leadership teams.
The key is helping stakeholders understand how accessibility supports their own objectives.
- CTOs often focus on technology risk, delivery efficiency and product quality
- CMOs are concerned with customer experience, brand reputation, reach and conversion
- Compliance leaders focus on governance, risk management and regulatory expectations
- Customer experience teams want to reduce barriers and improve outcomes for all customers
- Executive leaders need confidence that investment is aligned to organisational priorities
Rather than positioning accessibility as a standalone compliance requirement, organisations are often more successful when they connect accessibility to broader strategic priorities such as digital transformation, support for vulnerable customers, customer trust, operational resilience, innovation and AI adoption.
AbilityNet helps organisations build the business case for accessibility, engage senior stakeholders and create governance models that establish shared ownership across the organisation.
This creates a stronger foundation for long-term change and helps accessibility become part of everyday decision-making rather than a separate initiative.
How Stepstone use the Maturity Model to build their accessibility roadmap
763 Digital Accessibility Maturity Model downloads last year
95% Customer Satisfaction rating from customers
Frequently asked questions about accessibility strategy
What is an accessibility strategy?
An accessibility strategy is a structured plan for improving digital accessibility across an organisation. It helps define priorities, governance, responsibilities, investment decisions and long-term objectives so accessibility becomes part of business as usual rather than a series of standalone projects.
Why is digital accessibility important for regulated organisations?
Digital accessibility helps organisations reduce risk, improve customer experience and demonstrate their commitment to inclusion. For organisations operating in regulated sectors, accessibility increasingly overlaps with wider concerns such as vulnerable customer support, digital inclusion, governance, operational resilience and customer outcomes.
How does accessibility support vulnerable customers?
Many accessibility improvements make services easier to use for older customers, people with disabilities, people experiencing temporary impairments and those facing situational barriers. A strong accessibility strategy can support wider vulnerable customer and customer experience objectives.
How can accessibility reduce compliance and regulatory risk?
A strategic approach helps organisations identify accessibility gaps, prioritise improvements, establish accountability and demonstrate ongoing progress. This creates a stronger foundation for managing accessibility-related compliance obligations and customer risks.
How does accessibility relate to the European Accessibility Act?
Many organisations are reviewing their accessibility programmes in response to the European Accessibility Act and other evolving accessibility requirements. Consultancy support can help organisations assess readiness, identify gaps and build a roadmap for improvement.
What is digital accessibility governance?
Accessibility governance is the framework of policies, responsibilities, decision-making processes and reporting structures used to manage accessibility across an organisation. Effective governance helps ensure accessibility remains a long-term business priority.
How do you build an accessibility roadmap?
An accessibility roadmap identifies priorities, responsibilities and timescales for improvement. It helps organisations focus resources on the areas that will deliver the greatest impact while creating a clear plan for measurable progress.
What is the Digital Accessibility Maturity Model?
The Digital Accessibility Maturity Model (DAMM) is AbilityNet's framework for assessing accessibility maturity across an organisation. It helps identify strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement.
What happens after completing the Digital Accessibility Maturity Model?
Many organisations use consultancy support to turn maturity findings into practical action. This often includes developing a roadmap, agreeing priorities, engaging stakeholders and establishing governance processes.
How do accessibility leaders secure stakeholder buy-in?
Accessibility programmes are most successful when leadership, technology, compliance, customer experience and marketing teams share responsibility for outcomes. Independent consultancy can help build consensus and create a stronger business case for change.
Why do accessibility leaders need support from CTOs, CMOs and compliance teams?
Accessibility affects technology platforms, digital products, customer communications, procurement decisions, risk management and governance. Lasting progress requires collaboration across multiple teams rather than ownership by a single specialist function.
How does accessibility fit into digital transformation programmes?
Accessibility should be considered throughout planning, design, development, testing and deployment. Embedding accessibility from the outset is typically more effective and cost-efficient than retrofitting improvements later.
What role does accessibility play in customer experience strategy?
Accessible services can improve usability, customer satisfaction and trust. Many organisations view accessibility as an important part of delivering consistent customer experiences across channels and products.
How does AI change accessibility strategy?
AI adoption creates new opportunities and new responsibilities. Organisations need to understand how accessibility fits within broader technology governance, product development and customer experience strategies. Accessibility programmes should be capable of adapting as AI technologies evolve.
Do organisations need a separate accessibility strategy for AI?
Not usually. Most organisations benefit from having a strong accessibility strategy that can support emerging technologies, including AI. Specific AI initiatives can then sit within wider accessibility, governance and customer experience frameworks.
What accessibility risks should organisations consider when adopting AI?
As AI-powered services become more common, organisations should consider usability, inclusion, testing, governance and customer experience alongside technical implementation. Accessibility can help ensure new technologies work effectively for a wider range of users.
How often should an accessibility strategy be reviewed?
Most organisations review their accessibility strategy regularly to reflect changes in regulation, customer expectations, organisational priorities and emerging technologies.
What does accessibility consultancy involve?
Accessibility consultancy typically includes strategic advice, stakeholder engagement, roadmap development, maturity assessments, governance support and guidance on embedding accessibility into organisational processes.
How is accessibility consultancy different from accessibility testing?
Accessibility testing identifies barriers and technical issues. Accessibility consultancy focuses on strategy, governance, prioritisation, organisational capability and long-term improvement.
Why work with AbilityNet on accessibility strategy?
AbilityNet combines practical accessibility expertise with experience supporting complex organisations across financial services, public sector, education, technology and other highly regulated environments. We help organisations create accessibility programmes that are practical, sustainable and aligned with wider business goals.
What if we are not sure what support we need?
We often find that the person contacting us isn't sure where to start.
If don't have any experience of working on an accessibility strategy it may help to download the DAMM and take a quick look at what issues it throws up for you.
When you contact us we will start with a short conversation to understand where you are now and what you are working towards, and then outline options for you to consider.
Clients we've helped
We are a UK charity that has been a global leader in web and digital accessibility for over 25 years. Read the case studies below to learn how we help our clients achieve their accessibility goals.
Using a Digital Accessibility Maturity Model with Skyscanner
Our Maturity Model helped Skyscanner embed accessibility into its culture. “Get AbilityNet to help you understand where you sit on its Maturity Model and what to do to progress.”
A Gold Standard maturity model at the University of Derby
The University of Derby received disability awareness training before undertaking a Digital Accessibility Maturity Model assessment and achieved outstanding results.
Find out more
Download our Digital Accessibility Services brochure for more information about our services.
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