A practical guide for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who are new to accessibility

For SMEs digital accessibility can be a challenge in terms of knowing where to start. With the introduction of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), on the 28th of June 2025, many organisations may now feel under pressure to implement accessibility without knowing how best to do so. It is important to take the right steps when getting started on your accessibility journey and we have put together some practical tips that can help you as you being your accessibility journey.

Practical Tips

• Invest wisely

  Many companies new to accessibility seek quick fixes, often turning to overlays or paid automated tools. However, overlays do not make a website accessible or compliant with European accessibility legislation - as explicitly stated by the European Disability Forum.

  Automated tools, while useful, typically detect only about 30% of accessibility issues. Many vendors overpromise their capabilities but, in reality, free tools like WAVE, IBM Equal Access checker, Axe and Google Lighthouse can uncover most of the same issues as paid solutions.

  Instead, prioritise investing in accessibility experts and training. Build a long-term strategy that integrates accessibility into your development process from the start.

• Take small steps

  If your team is new to accessibility, don't expect instant expertise or 100% compliance. That's unrealistic and can lead to frustration or burnout.

  Start small. Taking incremental steps helps avoid overwhelming your team, supports steady progress, and lays the foundation for long-term success. Focus first on role-specific training and critical accessibility issues that directly block users from accessing or interacting with your app or website.

  Immerse yourself in accessibility communities and groups and come along to meetups and events to learn more about accessibility and engage with advocates and experts.

• Do your research

  If you're considering hiring an agency to support your accessibility efforts, do your homework. Ask first:

  • Do they have a dedicated accessibility professional or team?
  • How long have they been working in accessibility?
  • Can they share their accessibility standards or checklists?

  You can even run a quick automated test on their own website using a free tool. If they don't meet basic standards themselves, that's a red flag.

• Embed accessibility throughout your product

  Fixing accessibility issues only during QA is inefficient and costly. It creates a cycle of rework that delays releases and increases expenses.

  Accessibility is much less costly, time-consuming and simpler if it's embedded at the very beginning, during the initial concept phase (ideation and design). It also results in a much more inclusive and higher-quality product overall.

• Lead by example

  Meaningful accessibility improvements start at the top. When leadership actively supports and prioritises accessibility, it signals that inclusion is a core company value and not just a compliance task.

  Visible actions make a big impact. Including accessibility in team goals, celebrating accessibility milestones and setting aside time for learning all help build a culture of accountability and long-term commitment.

Get involved!

We invite you to explore, learn, and engage with us. Join our email list to stay updated on the latest news, events, and resources. We also welcome anyone who wishes to collaborate with us to reach out to us.

Let's build a digital world where accessibility isn't just a feature but a fundamental right.

Stay tuned for updates, and let's make the digital landscape accessible for all.