Stepping into the world of digital accessibility consulting? Welcome to one of the most rewarding—and often frustrating—roles in tech. It’s not just about decoding WCAG checklists or running audits (though you’ll do plenty of that). The real challenge? Shifting mindsets, wrestling with resistance, and helping people actually care.

Here are 10 tough-love truths every digital accessibility consultant needs to hear.

1. Accessibility Is Still an Afterthought for Most

Despite the growing awareness of digital accessibility, it is still an afterthought for most organizations. Many companies only start considering accessibility when they receive complaints, face legal threats, or need to check a compliance box. As a consultant, you’ll often have to fight for accessibility to be embedded from the start, rather than treated as a last-minute fix.

Mindset Shift: Instead of letting frustration take over, use it as fuel to educate. Show clients how proactive accessibility leads to better user experiences, improved SEO, increased conversions, and access to untapped markets. Inclusion is not just the right thing to do—it’s smart business.

2. Legal Compliance Doesn’t Mean It’s Usable

Meeting WCAG or Section 508 standards is a great start—but don’t confuse it with real-world accessibility. Compliance does not guarantee usability. A site can technically “pass” automated tests and still be incredibly frustrating for users with disabilities.

Pain Point: Be ready to explain the gap between compliance and usability. Advocate for usability testing with people who have disabilities, and back it up with data and real-world scenarios. It makes all the difference.ave disabilities.

3. Budgets Will Almost Always Be Tight

Accessibility is often seen as an “extra”—not a requirement. So you’ll regularly find yourself justifying the cost, defending the scope, and making the case for why it matters now, not later.

Mindset Shift: Reframe accessibility as a long-term investment, not a short-term cost. Talk about the financial risks of inaccessibility—like lawsuits or lost customers—and the upside of inclusive design for brand reputation and user retention.

4. Not Everyone Will Listen to You

Even with all the evidence in the world, some people won’t take accessibility seriously. You’ll meet developers who think they’ve already “handled it,” executives who believe they don’t have disabled users, and designers who resist change.

Pain Point: Expect resistance. But don’t give up. Use stories, testimonials, and empathy-driven conversations to help people see the human side of the issue—not just the technical one.e.

5. Automated Testing Won’t Get You All the Way

Many companies rely on automated accessibility testing tools, believing they provide a complete solution. The reality? Automated tools only catch about 30-40% of accessibility issues. That means a lot of barriers can slip through unnoticed.

Mindset Shift: Advocate for manual testing and real user feedback. Use automated tools as a starting point, but emphasize the need for expert evaluation and usability testing.

6. Your Work Is Never “Done”

Accessibility isn’t a one-and-done project. As websites and apps evolve, new barriers can appear. Content changes, design updates, and new tech mean ongoing vigilance is essential.

Pain Point: Help clients move from a project-based mindset to a continuous improvement approach. Advocate for accessibility being baked into every sprint, release, and review process.

7. People with Disabilities Are the Real Experts

No matter how experienced you are, your perspective is limited. True understanding comes from engaging with people who live with disabilities every day.

Mindset Shift: Involve disabled users at every stage—testing, feedback, design discussions. Advocate for hiring people with disabilities as consultants, employees, and decision-makers. Center their voices.

8. Fast Fixes Can Lead to Bigger Problems

Everyone wants a fast solution—but shortcuts like overlays, patchy ARIA fixes, or surface-level tweaks can do more harm than good. They might make things look accessible without truly being accessible.

Pain Point: Don’t be afraid to push back on band-aid solutions. Educate clients about sustainable, standards-based approaches that solve problems at the root instead of just hiding symptoms.

9. You Will Face Ethical Dilemmas

Sometimes, clients just want to do the bare minimum. They may pressure you to rubber-stamp something that’s technically compliant but clearly not inclusive—or ask you to “make it look good” without doing the hard work.

Mindset Shift: Stay grounded in your values. Set clear ethical boundaries. Work with clients who care about genuine inclusion—not just risk avoidance. And when needed, say no. Your credibility matters.

10. Failure Will Be Your Greatest Teacher

You’ll make mistakes. Everyone does. Maybe you approved a design that turned out to be inaccessible, or a recommended fix didn’t work for all users. It happens

Pain Point: Don’t hide from failure—embrace it. Learn, adapt, and share your experiences. Every setback is a chance to grow and improve not just your work, but the field as a whole.

Final Thoughts

Digital accessibility consulting isn’t just a technical job—it’s a people job. It’s about transforming mindsets, building empathy, and helping teams build for everyone.

It’s messy, frustrating, inspiring, and deeply impactful.

The road isn’t always smooth, but the destination—a more inclusive digital world—is absolutely worth it.

So, are you a fellow accessibility consultant?
What lessons have you learned along the way? Share your thoughts—we’re all learning from each other.