How can I prove the need for accessibility training to senior leaders?

Annie Mannion | 31 Jan 2023

At the end of 2022, AbilityNet surveyed more than 400 professionals worldwide about their attitudes toward digital accessibility within their organisation.

Graphic showing a head with a lightbulb in the brain areaThroughout the year, we will be analysing in greater depth the five main topics covered within the Attitudes to Digital Accessibility report findings (Leadership, Motivations, Processes, Capability, Procurement), and take a deeper dive into each area.

This article looks at what the survey results reveal about attitudes toward digital accessibility Capability.

6 key takeaways about capability development

1. Senior leaders think accessibility skills are better supported than they are

It seems respondents perceive no major differences in the state of their organisation's accessibility skills depending on the size or type of organisation. However, interestingly, perceptions did vary by seniority.

Along with most other categories analysed in the survey, executive/C-suite/senior leaders think their organisation is supporting skills development much better than less senior respondents do - this indicates an opportunity to highlight to senior leaders the gap between reality and perception.  

Just under half the respondents agreed with the statement: ‘My organisation helps individuals to develop the skills they need to deliver its digital accessibility vision’ (46%), with 15% agreeing strongly. 28% disagreed with this statement, with 15% disagreeing strongly.

Almost a quarter of respondents were ambivalent (22%) neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

The results show significant differences in how well individuals are feeling supported by their organisations in developing their digital accessibility skills.

Organisations should explore disparities in perceptions as they could reveal some misunderstandings and positive assumptions across the organisation that may be limiting practical progress.

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2. Confidence is high, but role-specific training is needed

A quarter of respondents noted a lack of accessibility training specific to their role. 

Unsurprisingly, respondents for whom digital accessibility was a significant part of their work (in both technical and non-technical roles) were much more confident in their understanding of digital accessibility than those less significantly aligned with it in their roles. 

Over 4 in 5 respondents (84%) felt confident about their understanding of digital accessibility (29% felt very confident and 55% quite confident). We recognise this may be a skewed sample to some extent as the survey was shared by accessibility and inclusion organisations who are more likely to reach people with accessibility interest and awareness.

Although the confidence of people in roles related to accessibility is quite high, their influence across the organisation can often be limited and their skills are in scarce supply across the business.  

3. Good practice is not widespread

Group of people in work setting looking at laptop on desk, one looking at his watchTwo-thirds of respondents said that there were only pockets of good practice towards developing digital accessibility skills in their organisations.

In some organisations, digital accessibility skills and experience are siloed. This means that overall high standards and improvements in digital accessibility are constrained by a lack of time available to be spread across the organisation and it can be a struggle to meet varying demands.

These more advanced digital accessibility skills also risk being lost when the valuable, knowledgeable, and experienced team members move on from the organisation, and take their expertise with them.

4. It's up to you to sort your accessibility training

When asked if their organisation is supporting the development of capability, less than half of the respondents felt they were. This aligns with one of our key findings from the survey, which also came out through comments in the open questions, that people felt they need to find information and upskill themselves rather than in training that is provided by their organisation.

The results show that in many businesses, individual employees have to take their own initiative to find courses or study aids like free webinars, meetups, and networking events (63% said they attended online events such as these) to develop their accessibility skills, as this is not built into existing company standards or professional development plans. 

The challenge this poses is that digital accessibility capabilities are not generally being regularly assessed and developed in a structured way across organisations.

Some comments provided by respondents related to skills and capability development:
“Active disinterest in understanding IT skills and how these are necessary across the whole staff body to ensure good digital accessibility.” (Large government/public body)
“Lack of understanding, I think they think it's an easy thing to implement. There is definitely the will but time and workload don't allow for people to be trained effectively.” (Large government/public body)
“I just think they don't understand the time and expertise needed, they just think it's easy to do” (Size unknown government/public body)


5. More disability training is needed 

Respondents were asked what formats were offered for role-specific digital accessibility training. The majority said online, but almost a quarter (24%) said that no role-specific digital accessibility training had been delivered to them.

Under a fifth (17%) of respondents noted that digital accessibility training formed part of company inductions. This identifies a clear gap and key opportunity for organisations to provide improved general disability and digital accessibility awareness-raising activities, particularly for new starters.

However, interestingly, if you work in a commercial business you are more likely to receive team learning about experiences (54% compared to 32% of government/public bodies and 30% of charities). 

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6. Digital accessibility needs to be embedded

The proportion of professionals noting that digital accessibility was central to or embedded in the way they work with the organisations is relatively low.

Organisations need to review their processes to ensure they are operating as efficiently as possible.

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Further resources