When the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 1 billion people globally live with some form of disability, it underscored the urgent need for digital accessibility and inclusion. Whether you’re managing a website, an app, or a product embedding accessibility within your solution allows you to reach a broader audience that includes people with disabilities and helps you mitigate legal risks by ensuring you comply with global accessibility standards.
Organizations, including government agencies, must guarantee that their digital services and information are accessible to all, including people with disabilities. Conducting an accessibility audit and leveraging accessibility consulting are crucial steps toward achieving this goal.
Ask yourself:
- Does your agency’s website, app, or digital products fully comply with the latest WCAG 2.2 guidelines?
- Have you implemented an Accessibility Statement on your website that states your commitment to accessibility and inclusion?
- Are your online forms and public-facing documents like reports and statements accessible to all, including people with disabilities?
If you answered "no" to any of these, this blog would explain why accessibility consulting is not just important but essential for your government agency.
What is an Accessibility Consultant?
An accessibility consultant is a digital accessibility professional who helps organizations create, audit and maintain accessible digital experiences. They serve three core functions:
- Accessibility Auditing & Testing - Accessibility consultants identify digital barriers using automated scanning, manual evaluation and functional testing with assistive technologies. They evaluate your websites, apps and documents against standards like WCAG 2.2, Section 508 and EN 301 549.
- Accessibility Remediation Support - Once barriers are identified through accessibility audits, consultants guide your team through the remediation process by advising on code fixes, design changes and content improvements to address accessibility issues.
- Accessibility Training & Capacity Building - Accessibility consultants train your internal teams on accessible design and development practices, ensuring long-term sustainability beyond the initial consultation.
Most reputable accessibility consultants have formal qualifications, such as IAAP Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) certification and bring deep expertise in assistive technologies (screen readers, voice control, switch navigation) and the diverse needs of people with disabilities. Whether you need accessibility audits, remediation guidance, or ongoing consulting support, professional accessibility consultants bridge the gap between compliance and truly inclusive digital experiences.
Why Your Organization Needs an Accessibility Consultant?
Accessibility consultants help government agencies and organizations navigate the complex landscape of compliance, accessible design and digital transformation. Here's why accessibility consulting matters.
The digital landscape has evolved rapidly, and with it, the expectations for a seamless online experience. However, not all sectors have kept pace, particularly government and public services, which often struggle with outdated digital infrastructure and design. While these entities are required to comply with Section 508 and ADA, simply meeting compliance standards doesn’t always guarantee usability. In fact, many government services still fall short in truly addressing the needs of people with disabilities.
The problem is clear, many government agencies are not prioritizing digital accessibility. This is where accessibility consulting becomes critical. Professional accessibility consultants help agencies navigate accessibility auditing, accessibility testing, and accessibility remediation across websites, apps, and documents. They ensure compliance with WCAG 2.2, Section 508, PDF/UA, and international regulations like the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
Accessibility Consulting for Legal Compliance & Risk Mitigation
Government agencies are legally obligated to conform to WCAG 2.2 & 2.1 and comply with Section 508 & ADA. An accessibility consultant helps agencies stay compliant through comprehensive accessibility audits, accessibility testing and ongoing remediation support. They are required to make their websites, systems and software accessible to people with disabilities. Non-compliance can lead to significant penalties, lawsuits and even reputational damage. In 2023, there was a significant increase in ADA digital accessibility lawsuits, with a total of 4,605 reported cases. This represented a 14.1% rise from the 4,035 cases reported in 2022, marking a notable surge in the landscape of ADA digital accessibility litigation.
There's a way. Hiring an accessibility consultant and conducting accessibility audits assists government agencies to stay compliant and conform to accessibility standards. Accessibility consultants perform comprehensive accessibility testing and provide in-depth recommendations to ensure that agencies remain up to date with ever-evolving standards. This safeguards agencies against legal risks and demonstrates good faith compliance efforts.
Accessibility Consulting Improves User Experience & Public Trust
Accessibility consulting delivers a strategic advantage: improved user experience (UX) for all visitors, not just people with disabilities. When accessibility consultants implement inclusive design principles, websites and apps become easier to navigate, leading to better engagement and higher user satisfaction. This applies to government agencies too. Accessible digital services are a reflection of a nation's commitment to equity and inclusion. When public services are inaccessible to people with disabilities, it can create feelings of exclusion and alienate populations.
This is where accessibility consulting ensures that government agencies can offer an inclusive experience for all its users. By implementing inclusive design principles guided by accessibility consultants, agencies enhance user experience across their digital solutions. Whether it's logging in to government portals, filling out online forms or accessing important information, accessible design ensures no one is left behind. Agencies that prioritize accessibility consulting often see improved engagement, reduced support tickets and stronger public trust.
Building Internal Expertise: Accessibility Training & Consulting Support
Accessibility is not just a goal to be achieved, but an ongoing responsibility. Beyond initial accessibility audits, continuous accessibility consulting ensures sustainable progress. Training staff on accessibility best practices, accessible content creation and usability testing with assistive technologies builds a culture of accessibility within the agency. This proactive approach prevents new accessibility barriers from emerging and keeps your digital services compliant with evolving standards.
Our Accessibility Consulting Services & Expertise
BarrierBreak is a trusted partner for accessibility consulting across the U.S., Europe, UK, Australia and India. Our team combines deep technical expertise with real-world experience serving government agencies and enterprises.
Why Choose BarrierBreak for Accessibility Consulting?
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42% of our accessibility testers are people with disabilities - Our team brings lived experience to accessibility consulting, ensuring solutions reflect actual user needs, not assumptions
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Comprehensive accessibility services - From accessibility audits and testing to remediation support and training, we cover the full lifecycle of accessibility consulting
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Government sector expertise - Specialized knowledge of Section 508, ADA compliance and government procurement requirements
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Full standards coverage - Expertise in WCAG 2.2, WCAG 2.1, Section 508, ADA Title II, EAA (European Accessibility Act), EN 301 549 and PDF/UA
Our Core Accessibility Consulting Services
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Accessibility Audits & Testing - Comprehensive WCAG 2.2, Section 508 and ADA Title II audits with automated, manual and functional testing using assistive technologies
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Accessibility Remediation Support - Expert guidance on fixing accessibility issues across code, design and content
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Accessibility Training Programs - Team workshops and hands-on training on accessible development, design and content creation
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Compliance Documentation - VPAT/ACR and Accessibility Statement creation to support procurement and transparency
We collaborate with you to integrate accessibility features directly into your digital products while maintaining compliance with evolving standards. Whether you're just beginning your accessibility journey or optimizing an existing program, our accessibility consultants are here to support your success. Get in touch with us at sales@barrierbreak.com and start integrating accessibility right from the start!