Leading the Way: Insights from AbilityNet’s Head of Consultancy on Digital Accessibility

What do you think will be the big trends in accessibility over the next couple of years? Our Head of Consultancy, Will Sutton, has the answer. With extensive expertise in helping organisations create more inclusive digital environments, Will will delve into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in accessibility. Discover how organisations can not only meet but exceed accessibility standards, fostering a more inclusive digital landscape for everyone.  

What is your new role and what are your main responsibilities?

I'm stepping into a new role for AbilityNet, Head of Consultancy, I will be leading our commercial customer facing teams which include, Accessibility services, workplace inclusion consultancy and training, as well as our Customer Success Team. 

In my role as Head of Consultancy, my primary responsibility is to lead and support our expert team of certified accessibility consultants in delivering high-quality impactful services to our clients. This includes overseeing our project delivery to ensure it meets the needs of both our clients and their end users whilst making sure we deliver a positive contribution to our charitable free services. 

Another key function of this position is driving innovation by championing research and thought leadership that spark fresh perspectives across our field. By exploring advancements in emerging technologies and inclusive practices, we can deliver forward-thinking insights that help shape the industry.

My vision for the consultancy is that we continue to be a leading voice in accessibility and disability inclusion, guiding our clients and the industry towards a digital world accessible to all.

I’m also responsible for the continuous upskilling and personal development of our consultants, there’s always something new to learn in this industry. I look forward to identifying and executing upskilling and training opportunities across the consultancy and wider organisation to make sure we continue to deliver the most up-to-date and trustworthy independent advice. 

When did you first hear about accessibility? How did it fit with your role at the time?  

My first encounter with accessibility was whilst working as a Software Engineer at Dyson, in a team responsible for global e-commerce websites. Our team was tasked to remediate issues raised in an accessibility audit. It was an amazing opportunity for personal upskilling and our team’s efforts greatly enhanced the user experience.

This journey really ignited my passion for accessibility and reinforced my belief in the importance of creating digital experiences that are free from barriers for disabled people. 

What was your previous role at AbilityNet? 

For the past 2 years, I have worked as a Senior Accessibility and usability consultant as well as a team lead. I was primarily focussed on delivering specialist services such as audits, training, strategy and accreditation. 

Having worked as a consultant at AbilityNet before stepping into this new role has really helped me gain valuable insights into our work, our customers, and the unique challenges and opportunities the charity faces. 

What are your goals for AbilityNet’s accessibility services? 

My goal for AbilityNet’s accessibility services is to build on our foundation so that we’re not only enhancing our quality but also establishing our position as a true partner in our clients' accessibility journeys. I’m committed to continuously refining our offerings and pioneering innovative approaches that keep us both competitive and relevant. This will involve aligning our services more closely with our clients' evolving needs, creating value beyond the immediate deliverable, and fostering long-term strategic partnerships.  

Our team of expert consultants help organisations of all types and sizes to become more inclusive and to build accessible digital products and services. Meet our clients to find out how we help them achieve their digital accessibility goals.

As an expert, what trends in accessibility should organisations be thinking about in 2025? 

In the coming years, I anticipate more organisations will adopt the shift-left approach, which means they will be thinking about accessibility from the start of every project, from the design stage and through the entire development lifecycle.

This shift will likely involve greater use of accessibility plugins and annotation frameworks within design tools like Figma, along with comprehensive automated testing methods, such as accessibility focussed unit tests and end-to-end (E2E) testing.

By integrating these practices into development workflows, teams can look to identify accessibility issues earlier, reducing the risk of barriers being introduced into production and impacting users. At AbilityNet, we’re actively researching the latest innovations and developments in these areas in order to provide our customers with industry-leading advice and strategic guidance on building accessible platforms from the outset. 

Whilst AI and automation are having an impact on accessibility testing, a trend I’d really love to see is the integration of diverse user perspectives throughout the development process.

In the next few years, I hope to see organisations move beyond compliance checks to embrace inclusive-first development – where people with different accessibility needs and requirements shape products from conception through to launch. This shift from periodic accessibility reviews to continuous inclusive feedback will be crucial for creating truly accessible solutions. 

Can you tell us some of your career highlights? 

Cheesy but true, being offered the job at AbilityNet just over 2 years ago felt like a huge highlight for me, I'd spent a lot of time thinking about the impact I wanted to have in the technology space and digital accessibility was the area I felt aligned best with my skills and passion. The opportunity to hone these skills in an organisation that has been a global pioneer in digital accessibility for 25 years was too good to miss.  

From the moment I joined, I was immersed in a culture that truly values diversity and inclusion. I’ve had the privilege of working on so many projects that directly enhance the digital experiences of disabled people. It’s really inspiring to work with a team of like-minded professionals who are equally passionate about making a difference. 

What do think are the benefits of accessibility to our customers? 

 Accessible digital products and services enhance user experience, boost conversions, and build trust for every type and size of organisation. Additionally, they provide a competitive advantage by demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility. This approach also fosters increased loyalty from users who have been let down by competitors. 

What do you think are the priorities for our customers in the next few years? 

Looking ahead, I see three key priorities for our customers: 

• Accessibility by design: Our customers should be looking at how to make accessibility a cornerstone of their digital strategy rather than a retrospective activity. When accessibility shapes decisions from day one, it sparks innovation that serves everyone, regardless of how they access and interact with digital services. This approach transforms accessibility from a compliance checkbox into a catalyst for better products, stronger user trust, and ultimately, market leadership. 
• Regulatory Navigation and Compliance: In today’s rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, staying ahead of the curve is more crucial than ever. With the introduction of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), the stakes have never been higher. Every organisation should focus on not just meeting these new standards but exceeding them. We can help our customers stay ahead and surpass accessibility compliance requirements. 

• Role specific training: Finally, I believe one of the key priorities for our customers will be enhancing accessibility through role-specific training. As organisations increasingly recognise the importance of accessibility, equipping their teams with the knowledge and skills necessary to address accessibility challenges will become paramount. When staff are specially trained in accessibility, they can better identify and remove barriers across all functions of the organisation before they impact their customers. 

With these priorities in mind, we have a unique opportunity to position ourselves as strategic partners who can help organisations build accessibility into their DNA, rather than treating it as an afterthought. 

Apart from your session with eBay, what are you looking forward to at AbilityNet's TechShare Pro 2024 (13-14th November 2024)? 

 There are some great looking sessions and panels being run throughout the event, I'd just like to highlight a few that are being run by our amazing Accessibility Consultants:  

Wednesday 13th November  

• Adam Tweed will be delivering a session on captions  
• Rina Wharton and Lucy Woodcock will be doing a session on neurodiversity and brand communications  

Thursday 14th November  

• Jess Cahill will be doing a session based on the training ‘Accessibility on a Shoestring’  
• Vayia Malamidou will be doing a session on EAA 

I’m also really looking forward to the chance to meet up with many of our colleagues, customers and partners in person at the event. It’s such a fantastic opportunity to not only discuss all things accessibility and inclusion but also to exchange ideas, collaborate on new initiatives, and strengthen our shared commitment to making the digital world accessible to all. I know the conversations we’ll have will inspire even more innovation and positive change, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together. 

Learn more about TechShare Pro 2024 and book your ticket

What happens at TechShare Pro?

TechShare Pro 2023 was hosted by HSBC in London, with over 2,000 in-person and online attendees from around the world. Check out the highlights reel below.