Integrating accessibility into key functions in the organization is important to managing Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Important steps to ensuring full accessibility includes Accessibility Testing, Procurement of accessible technology and including accessibility in the Development Process. These steps will translate policy into measurable results.
Accessibility Testing
Accessibility testing, or evaluation, is a key part of an ICT accessibility program. Testing and evaluating the ICT should occur in the beginning of the development process as well as during the different stages of development. A common mistake is to only test for accessibility after most designing and development is complete. That makes the job of ensuring accessibility cumbersome and costly.
Testing is necessary to effectively include accessibility in the procurement of ICT. Each organization needs to determine when to do its own testing and when to accept the vendor’s claims of accessibility, depending on factors such as level of risk, resources available for testing, size of user base and others. In many instances, independent tests are necessary, conducted either by internal staff experts or outside consultants.
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Procurement
The technology used by an organization is either developed in-house or it is purchased. Taking accessibility seriously eventually leads you to the operation of procurement. The procurement process needs to yield IT that can be used by everyone. Accomplishing this goal requires a partnership between the accessibility specialists in an organization and the procurement office; each partner contributes their expertise to the process. Effectively integrating accessibility into the procurement process is possible when this partnership is the foundation.
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Accessibility in the Development Process
The most efficient and effective way to get an accessible website or software application is to incorporate accessibility requirements and practices into the development process. It is a mistake to leave accessibility until after initial development has been done. Responding to accessibility correctly requires elevating accessibility as a priority and dedicating adequate technical, personnel and financial resources for it.
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