Accessibility is not an option but the right thing to do. However, the problem is that most businesses have no idea where to start. A lot of them don't even know what accessibility is! Many of them are taking the easy route and asking their web designers for accessibility advice. Unfortunately, the truth is this: web designers are not accessibility specialists. It's important to find someone who knows about both design and technology in order to get the best result for your business.
Before shortlisting any accessibility vendor, always test their own website for accessibility. If they are unable to maintain an accessible site themselves, they are unlikely to deliver quality work for you. A good accessibility partner must lead by example!
Read this Should your Development Vendor be your Accessibility Testing Vendor?
Why Choosing the Right Accessibility Vendor Matters?
Selecting the right accessibility vendor is a critical decision for any company looking to make their digital products compliant with the emerging regulations. The right website and digital accessibility vendor can help you identify the most problematic areas of your product and provide solutions to get you up to code.
There are several accessibility vendors out there that have been around for a while and offer quality service and products. Ensuring that your digital products meet WCAG standards and Section 508 guidelines require expert vendors in this field.
Choosing the wrong accessibility vendor can lead to superficial testing, inaccurate reports, or dependence on overlays that do not fix the root issues. A reliable accessibility vendor delivers manual testing, real user feedback, and code-level guidance.
What to Look for in an Accessibility Vendor?
The right vendor can ensure that your products are fully accessible and also help protect your company from legal risks. While it is important to do some research on your own, there are also certain questions you can ask the vendor that will give you an idea of their capabilities:
- How would you describe your company’s values and philosophy?
- What is your process for evaluating and proposing solutions?
- What methods do you use to assess accessibility?
- What is your experience in the industry?
- What is your typical timeline for getting back to clients after receiving a request for proposal?
- What services do you offer that are not listed on the website?
Check out our blog on Top 5 resources for learning Accessibility.
Key Requirements Your Accessibility Vendor Should Meet
The vendor you select should:
Offer tools for progress tracking and documentation
Provide a clear and actionable remediation roadmap
Have accessibility experts who understand WCAG, ADA, RPwD, Section 508, EN 301 549
Deliver both automated and manual accessibility testing
Support VPAT creation and accessibility documentation
Ensure that the accessibility vendor does not rely solely on automated tools or quick-fix accessibility overlays. True accessibility requires human evaluation by trained auditors and testers with disabilities.
Why BarrierBreak is the Right Accessibility Vendor?
At BarrierBreak, we provide accessibility testing services and digital accessibility solutions with legal expertise and consulting and help our partners meet their accessibility goals. As a website accessibility consultant, we work with our customers to ensure that their products comply to accessibility standards and guidelines and also support them to create an effective and complete VPAT of the product.
To learn more about our accessibility testing services, get in touch with our team at sales@barrierbreak.com