Accessibility Features Falling Behind: A Consequence Of Industry Cuts

Chloe Fitzgerald

5 min read

Post on May 24, 2025

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Reduced Investment in Accessibility Testing and Audits

Many companies are slashing budgets allocated to accessibility testing, resulting in fewer accessibility audits and less rigorous quality assurance. This reduction in investment directly impacts the quality and usability of digital products for people with disabilities.

Shrinking budgets:

• Reduced number of accessibility experts hired: Companies are less likely to hire dedicated accessibility specialists, leading to a shortage of skilled professionals.
• Less time dedicated to accessibility testing during development: Accessibility testing is often rushed or skipped altogether due to time constraints imposed by reduced budgets. This leads to significant accessibility flaws going undetected.
• Delayed or cancelled accessibility audits: Regular accessibility audits are crucial for identifying and fixing problems. Budget cuts often lead to these audits being postponed indefinitely or cancelled entirely. This leaves websites and applications vulnerable to accessibility issues.

Impact on User Experience:

The consequences of insufficient accessibility testing are far-reaching. A lack of crucial accessibility features creates a negative user experience for people with disabilities, leading to:

• Increased instances of inaccessible websites and applications: Users with disabilities frequently encounter websites and apps that are unusable due to missing alt text, poor keyboard navigation, or lack of screen reader compatibility.
• Higher rates of user frustration and abandonment: Users who struggle to navigate a website or application are more likely to become frustrated and abandon the site or app altogether. This leads to lost business and potential customers.
• Potential legal ramifications due to non-compliance with accessibility standards: In many regions, there are laws mandating digital accessibility (like the ADA in the US or WCAG globally). Non-compliance can result in costly legal battles and significant fines. This adds another layer of risk to neglecting accessibility features.

The Downsizing of Dedicated Accessibility Teams

Cost-cutting measures often disproportionately affect specialized roles. Accessibility specialists and UX designers with accessibility expertise are frequently targeted in layoffs and restructuring, resulting in a significant skills gap.

Layoffs and restructuring:

• Loss of institutional knowledge and best practices related to accessibility: Experienced accessibility professionals possess invaluable knowledge and experience. Their departure leaves a void that is difficult to fill quickly.
• Increased reliance on less experienced developers to implement accessibility features: When dedicated accessibility teams are downsized, the responsibility for accessibility often falls on developers who may lack the necessary training and expertise.
• Increased risk of errors and inconsistencies in accessibility implementation: This lack of expertise increases the likelihood of errors and inconsistencies in the implementation of accessibility features, leading to subpar accessibility.

Impact on Product Development:

The decline in specialized personnel compromises the quality and consistency of accessibility features throughout the entire product development lifecycle. This leads to:

• Inconsistent implementation of accessibility guidelines: Without experienced guidance, accessibility features may be implemented inconsistently, creating a fragmented and unreliable user experience.
• Difficulty in addressing accessibility issues promptly and effectively: Identifying and fixing accessibility bugs becomes more challenging when there is a lack of dedicated expertise.
• Reduced ability to proactively integrate accessibility into design processes: Accessibility should be considered from the very beginning of the design process. Without dedicated accessibility professionals, this crucial step is often overlooked.

The Prioritization of Profit over Inclusive Design

A short-sighted focus on short-term profitability often leads companies to undervalue the long-term benefits of inclusive design. This prioritization of profit over accessibility has significant ethical and business implications.

Short-term gains, long-term losses:

• Loss of potential customers with disabilities: Neglecting accessibility excludes a significant portion of the population from using a company's products or services, representing a considerable loss of potential revenue.
• Negative brand reputation and damage to corporate social responsibility image: Companies that prioritize profits over accessibility risk damaging their brand reputation and harming their corporate social responsibility image.
• Increased risk of legal action and fines due to non-compliance: As previously mentioned, ignoring accessibility standards can lead to expensive legal battles and significant fines.

The Ethical Implications:

Beyond the business implications, neglecting accessibility is ethically questionable. It actively excludes a significant portion of the population from accessing vital information and services. This:

• Violates principles of equal access and inclusivity: Accessibility is a fundamental human right. Companies have a moral obligation to ensure that their products and services are accessible to everyone.
• Reinforces societal barriers for people with disabilities: Inaccessible digital products further marginalize people with disabilities, reinforcing societal barriers and limiting their opportunities.
• Has a negative impact on overall social well-being: Accessibility is not just about technology; it’s about social inclusion and equal opportunity.

Conclusion

The decline in investment in accessibility features due to industry cuts is a serious issue with wide-ranging consequences. Neglecting accessibility not only harms users with disabilities but also negatively impacts business reputation and long-term profitability. To address this, companies need to prioritize accessibility, invest in dedicated accessibility teams and testing, and integrate accessibility into all stages of product development. By recognizing that accessibility features are not an added cost but a vital aspect of inclusive design, businesses can build a more equitable and successful future. Let's work together to ensure that all digital products are truly accessible for everyone. Prioritize your accessibility features today!