Building lasting accessibility: three common pitfalls

I’ve previously written about a three-part strategy for accessibility, and I want to share some new insights about where organizations commonly go wrong.

Effective accessibility isn’t just a technology problem – it requires three interconnected elements: technology, people, and process. When organizations get all three right, accessibility becomes embedded in their culture rather than treated as a one-off project.

However, I’ve observed specific pitfalls that occur when organizations focus on only two of these three elements:

⚠️ Technology + People (No Process) = Inconsistent Execution
Your team cares about accessibility and has the right tools, but without clear processes, efforts vary dramatically from project to project. Some teams excel while others struggle, creating an uneven user experience.

⚠️ People + Process (No Technology) = Aspirational but Ineffective
Your team is aligned and follows established procedures, but they lack the technical tools needed to implement accessibility effectively. Despite a strong commitment, the impact remains limited.

⚠️ Process + Technology (No People) = Compliance without Commitment
You have systems and procedures in place, but no one feels personally invested in the outcomes. Accessibility becomes a checkbox exercise rather than a genuine commitment to users.

Moving Forward

Does your organization fall into one of these patterns? The solution lies in identifying which element you’re missing and building it into your accessibility strategy. True accessibility success requires all three working together.