Many organizations want to be inclusive but feel stuck at the first step-especially if they don’t have employees with disabilities or a designated accessibility advocate yet. The truth is, accessibility isn’t something you wait to start until someone asks for it. It’s a responsibility you can (and should) begin building proactively.
Here’s how to create accessibility policies and embed accessible processes into your organization’s DNA-even before you have lived-experience representation on your team.
1. Start with Intent, Not Compliance
Accessibility policies should begin with why you’re doing this-not just what the law says.
A good accessibility statement explains:
Your commitment to accessibility (“We want everyone to be able to use our product or website.”)
The standards you aim to meet (WCAG 2.1 AA or higher).
The process you’ll follow to review and improve accessibility over time.
This early intent builds awareness internally, and it’s something you can publish even while you’re still learning.
2. Create an Accessibility Policy That Evolves
You don’t need a perfect document. Start small and keep improving.
Your first accessibility policy can include:
Scope: Websites, apps, documents, internal tools, marketing content, etc.
Commitment: State your aim to align with recognized standards (WCAG, Section 508, EAA, EN 301 549).
Roles: Assign one person or a small working group to coordinate efforts.
Testing cadence: Quarterly or per release.
Feedback channel: A simple email (“accessibility@[yourdomain].com”) for users to report barriers.
Having this framework shows initiative and accountability-even if your team is still gaining expertise.
3. Build Accessibility Into Everyday Workflows
Accessibility shouldn’t live in a policy binder; it should live in your process.
Design phase: Use color contrast checkers, focus indicators, and clear hierarchy (like the Wally Accessibility Checker for Figma).
Development phase: Run automated audits (like the Wally WAX Linter for VS Code) to catch early issues.
Content phase: Write in plain language, use proper headings, and add alt text to images.
Testing phase: Combine automated tools (like the Wally WAX Chrome Extension) with manual checks for forms, modals, and keyboard access.
Even without an internal expert, these basics can prevent 80% of common barriers.
4. Involve Users-Even If You Don’t Have Them Yet
You can still bring in external perspectives.
Hire external auditors or consultants to perform accessibility testing.
Recruit volunteer testers with disabilities through accessibility communities or user panels.
Leverage AI-powered auditing tools (like Wally’s suite) to simulate common accessibility barriers.
This helps you build empathy and validation into your process-without waiting for an internal advocate to appear.
5. Train Your Team Early
Accessibility awareness should be part of onboarding and role-specific learning.
For example:
Designers: Understanding contrast, focus order, and text alternatives.
Developers: Writing semantic HTML and ARIA roles correctly.
Content writers: Using descriptive links and plain language.
Micro-trainings or monthly “accessibility check-ins” keep momentum and normalize inclusive thinking.
6. Measure and Improve
Accessibility isn’t one-and-done-it’s an ongoing maturity curve.
Set simple, trackable goals like:
Accessibility audit score improvements
Number of accessibility issues resolved per release
Percentage of new components tested for accessibility
Progress transparency builds trust both internally and externally.
How Wally Can Help
If you’re building accessibility practices from scratch, you don’t need to do it alone.
Wally’s Accessibility Consultancy helps organizations like yours:
Draft accessibility statements and internal policy documents
Integrate accessibility testing into your product workflow
Conduct audits and training, even if you don’t yet have an accessibility team
Guide you step-by-step toward WCAG, Section 508, or EAA compliance
Start your accessibility journey the smart way, guided by people who live and breathe accessibility.
Book a consultation with Wally to build your accessibility foundation today.
