Accessibility Is a Non-Negotiable, So Is Vendor Readiness

Choosing a UX partner used to be about speed, creativity, and interface polish. Today, it’s about all that, plus risk mitigation, legal exposure, and long-term accessibility readiness. If a design team can’t build with WCAG standards in mind or help you prepare for HIPAA, ADA, or Section 508 obligations, they’re not just a weak link, they’re a liability. Accessibility is no longer a post-launch patch. It’s an operational requirement. And if your vendor treats it like a side task for QA, that’s a red flag. This isn’t about asking “Do you do accessibility?” It’s about knowing what to ask to uncover whether a vendor can back up their claims with real systems, real specialists, and real results. The questions that follow are designed to help you vet potential UX partners not just for technical capability, but for long-term compliance maturity, so you don’t have to revisit the same risks again six months from now.

1. Do They Embed Accessibility Into Their Design Process, or Bolt It On Later?

One of the clearest indicators of a vendor’s accessibility maturity isn’t whether they know what WCAG is, it’s when in their process they start applying it. Many teams claim to “check for accessibility” but only do so during QA, or after developers have already shipped a beta. That approach might catch surface-level issues, like a missing label or insufficient contrast, but it won’t correct the root cause: a design system or workflow that doesn’t prioritize inclusion from the start.

Accessibility is not a quality control layer. It’s a design principle. If your UX partner waits until the code is written or assets are locked to run their accessibility review, what they’re offering you is bolt-on compliance, not scalable, reliable, user-centered design. What you want instead is a partner who treats accessibility as an upstream standard, integrated into every decision: layout, navigation structure, interaction patterns, error messaging, and content hierarchy. You want to hear phrases like:

• “We include accessibility as a lens in every design critique.”
• “We document tab order, keyboard interactions, and focus states inside the Figma file.”
• “We annotate components with ARIA expectations and semantic behaviors before handoff.”

This signals that accessibility isn’t being stapled on, it’s being architected in. Also ask about how they handle early user testing. Do they test wireframes or prototypes with assistive technology users? Do they simulate screen reader flows or keyboard-only paths in usability studies? If the answer is no, they’re likely missing foundational issues that won’t show up in automated scans.

What to ask: “Can you walk us through how accessibility is handled during your design phase, not just after development?” A strong partner won’t hesitate. They’ll be able to show you real artifacts, explain who owns accessibility during design, and point to how inclusive standards shape their components, not just fix their bugs.

2. What WCAG Version Do They Build Toward, And Can They Explain Why?

A UX partner who claims “we follow WCAG” might sound reassuring, until you realize they haven’t updated their playbook since 2018. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) have gone through several iterations, and each version sharpens the expectations for inclusive digital experiences. WCAG 2.0 was the baseline for a long time, but it’s now considered outdated by most modern standards. WCAG 2.1 introduced critical improvements for mobile and cognitive accessibility. WCAG 2.2, published in 2023, added new success criteria around target sizes, redundant entry, and keyboard focus behavior, especially relevant in form-heavy and mobile workflows. If your vendor is still optimizing for WCAG 2.0, they’re delivering work that likely won’t hold up under ADA scrutiny, Section 508 audits, or modern user expectations.

But this isn’t just about version numbers, it’s about strategic awareness. A good UX partner should be able to clearly explain:

• Which version they build toward and why
• How they’ve updated their internal standards to reflect new WCAG criteria
• How their component libraries, testing workflows, and QA processes have shifted accordingly

They should also demonstrate familiarity with WCAG 3.0, even if it’s still in draft. WCAG 3.0 will replace the current pass/fail model with outcome-based scoring and graded conformance (Bronze, Silver, Gold). It emphasizes task-based usability, cognitive accessibility, and cross-technology resilience. That shift means accessibility will no longer be measured by checklists alone, it’ll require real-world effectiveness. So if a vendor can’t articulate where they are now and how they’re preparing for what’s next, you’re inheriting stagnation, and potentially, costly retrofits in the near future.

What to ask: “Which WCAG version do you follow, and how have you updated your design and dev practices as the guidelines have evolved?” If they fumble that answer or default to “we just use tools like Axe,” they’re not ready to future-proof your product.

3. Can They Show You Past Accessibility-Focused Work or Audit Outputs?

In regulated or high-risk environments, claims don’t cut it, proof does. One of the strongest indicators that a UX partner can deliver on accessibility isn’t a certification or a slogan, it’s a history of actually doing the work. If a vendor can’t show you how they’ve performed accessibility audits, collaborated across teams to remediate issues, or helped clients meet compliance thresholds, it’s a red flag.

Look for partners who can share real examples of how they’ve conducted audits, ideally with both automated tools and manual reviews by accessibility professionals or assistive technology users. A mature vendor should be able to explain how they identify issues, how they prioritize them based on user impact, and how they guide remediation in a way that aligns with your existing workflow. They should also be able to explain the difference between a blocker and a minor issue, not just in technical terms, but in terms of real usability.

Case studies are another high-value signal. Ask for specific examples of accessibility challenges they’ve solved. Did they help a government contractor pass Section 508? Did they reduce support tickets by making a form screen-reader friendly? Did they redesign a flow to prevent error-triggered drop-offs in mobile users with motor impairments? These examples reveal not only their technical capability, but their ability to work inside constraints, collaborate with in-house teams, and move accessibility from theory into application.

If your organization does business with the public sector, or is preparing for enterprise procurement. you’ll likely need a VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template). This is not just a bureaucratic form; it’s a structured declaration of how a product aligns with accessibility standards like WCAG or Section 508. A UX vendor that can support VPAT development, or at least ensure their design decisions map cleanly to a conformance matrix; is worth their weight in future procurement leverage.

What to ask: “Can you show us a (redacted) audit or case study where your team guided an accessibility remediation effort?”, “Do you have experience supporting VPAT creation, or contributing accessibility sections to procurement or compliance reports?” Good vendors will welcome these questions. Great vendors will have the answers, and the assets, to make your team stronger from day one.

4. Who Owns Accessibility Within Their Team, And Are They Certified?

When evaluating a UX partner’s commitment to accessibility, it’s crucial to understand who within their organization is responsible for ensuring compliance and best practices. Accessibility should not be an afterthought or a shared responsibility that falls through the cracks; it requires dedicated ownership and expertise.

Why Ownership Matters:

• Accountability: Having a designated accessibility lead ensures that someone is accountable for integrating accessibility throughout the design and development process.
• Consistency: A dedicated professional can maintain consistency in applying accessibility standards across projects.
• Expertise: Certified accessibility specialists bring a depth of knowledge that can guide teams in adhering to standards like WCAG, Section 508, and ADA requirements.

Certification and Qualifications:

• Certified Professionals: Look for team members with certifications such as the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) or Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). These certifications indicate a formal understanding of accessibility principles and practices.
• Continuous Education: Accessibility standards evolve, so it’s important that the UX partner invests in ongoing training and education to stay current with the latest guidelines and technologies.

Integration into Workflow:

• Early Involvement: The accessibility lead should be involved from the earliest stages of a project, influencing design decisions and ensuring that accessibility is baked into the process, not added later.
• Collaboration: They should work closely with designers, developers, and QA teams to identify potential issues early and implement solutions effectively.

What to Ask:

• Who is responsible for accessibility within your team, and what are their qualifications?
• How do they integrate accessibility considerations into your project workflows?
• Can you provide examples of how your accessibility lead has influenced past projects?

Understanding who owns accessibility within a UX partner’s team and their level of expertise is essential for ensuring that your projects meet compliance standards and provide inclusive experiences for all users.

5. Do They Use Automated Tools and Manual Testing?

If a vendor tells you they “run Axe on everything,” it might sound impressive. But Axe, WAVE, Lighthouse, these are baseline tools, not compliance strategies. They’re great for catching code-level issues like missing alt text, bad ARIA attributes, or color contrast violations. They do not flag all failures, they require human eyes, real scenarios, and assistive tech testing to surface. A mature accessibility process pairs automated testing with structured manual testing, done by trained QA specialists or ideally actual users of assistive technology. That includes screen reader walkthroughs, keyboard-only navigation tests, and high-zoom or reduced-motion scenarios. These tests reveal context-specific issues that scanners miss: focus traps, confusing language, inaccessible modals, or dynamic content that isn’t announced properly.

Teams that take compliance seriously also document their testing procedures. They’ll track what tools were used, what scenarios were covered, and how severity levels were assigned. Some go a step further and include accessibility criteria in their QA test plans and regression test cases, making accessibility part of the broader quality bar, not a side check. You want to work with a vendor that understands that automation is fast, but manual is accurate. If their process doesn’t include both, or they outsource testing with no transparency, you’re likely missing key coverage.

What to ask:

• “Which automated tools do you use and what does your manual testing process look like?”
• “Do you test with screen readers or keyboard-only navigation before handoff?”
• “Can you show us examples of how accessibility testing is documented in your QA flow?”

If they only talk about Axe or Lighthouse, and can’t walk you through real scenarios or human testing routines, their process is reactive, not reliable.

6. Can They Help You Produce or Maintain a VPAT?

For organizations working in regulated environments, especially public sector, education, or enterprise, accessibility isn’t just a user experience standard. It’s a procurement requirement. The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is the formal document that demonstrates how your product aligns with standards like WCAG, Section 508, or EN 301 549. A properly filled VPAT often determines whether your product clears vendor selection in high-stakes environments.

If your UX partner has never touched a VPAT, or worse, doesn’t know what it is, they may not be ready for compliance-heavy engagements. You want a team that knows how to generate Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) with traceable documentation. This includes mapping features to WCAG criteria, flagging known gaps, and documenting timelines or plans for remediation.

The VPAT isn’t just about compliance, it’s about transparency. A well-documented VPAT helps your team communicate with legal, security, and procurement stakeholders. It shows where you’re strong, where you’re still remediating, and where you’ve built the process to stay compliant over time. Done right, it becomes a trust asset during contract negotiation, not a checkbox. A good partner won’t just create a VPAT once and move on. Accessibility is iterative. As new features roll out, third-party components change, or WCAG evolves, your VPAT must evolve with it. That means your vendor should offer ongoing audit support, VPAT revisions, and documentation handoff that fits into your internal governance or compliance management system.

What to ask:

• “Can you show us a sample VPAT or conformance report you’ve produced, ideally one aligned with Section 508 or WCAG 2.1 AA?”
• “What’s your process for updating the VPAT as our product changes?”

Partners who understand the procurement layer of accessibility will save you time, increase your buyer confidence, and give you the compliance posture regulators want to see, before they even ask.

7. Are Their Accessibility Practices Built for Scalability?

In the realm of digital product development, scalability isn’t just about handling increased user traffic or data volume; it’s about ensuring that your systems, processes, and practices can grow and adapt without compromising quality or performance. This principle is especially critical when it comes to accessibility.

Why Scalability in Accessibility Matters:

• Consistent User Experience: As your product evolves, maintaining a consistent and accessible user experience across all components and platforms becomes increasingly complex. Scalable accessibility practices ensure that new features or updates don’t inadvertently introduce barriers for users with disabilities.
• Efficient Resource Utilization: Implementing scalable practices reduces redundancy. Instead of addressing accessibility issues on a case-by-case basis, scalable solutions allow for systemic fixes that benefit the entire product suite.
• Regulatory Compliance: As accessibility standards evolve, scalable practices enable your organization to adapt more quickly to new regulations, minimizing the risk of non-compliance.

Key Indicators of Scalable Accessibility Practices:

1. Integration into Design Systems: A UX partner with scalable practices will have accessibility integrated into their design systems. This includes accessible components, patterns, and guidelines that can be reused across different projects, ensuring consistency and efficiency.
2. Modular and Reusable Components: Scalable practices involve creating modular components that are both accessible and reusable. This approach allows for easier maintenance and updates, as changes to a component automatically propagate throughout the product.
3. Automated Testing and Continuous Integration: Implementing automated accessibility testing within the development pipeline ensures that accessibility checks are consistently applied, catching issues early in the development process and reducing the need for extensive rework.
4. Documentation and Training: Comprehensive documentation and ongoing training programs for team members ensure that accessibility knowledge is disseminated throughout the organization, fostering a culture that prioritizes inclusive design.

What to Ask Your UX Partner:

• How do you integrate accessibility into your design systems and development workflows?
• Can you provide examples of reusable accessible components you’ve developed?
• What automated tools and processes do you use to ensure ongoing accessibility compliance?
• How do you keep your team updated on the latest accessibility standards and best practices?

By ensuring that your UX partner has scalable accessibility practices in place, you’re investing in a sustainable approach that will support your organization’s growth and commitment to inclusivity over the long term.

8. Do They Offer Ongoing Support for Accessibility Compliance?

Achieving accessibility compliance is not a one-time task; it’s an ongoing commitment. Digital products evolve, new features are added, content is updated, and user interfaces change. Without continuous oversight, these changes can inadvertently introduce accessibility barriers, negating previous compliance efforts.

Why Ongoing Support Matters:

• Regulatory Changes: Accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), are periodically updated to address emerging technologies and user needs. Staying compliant requires keeping abreast of these changes and adapting accordingly.
• Product Evolution: As your digital product grows, new components and functionalities may be introduced. Each addition must be evaluated for accessibility to ensure it doesn’t compromise the user experience for individuals with disabilities.
• User Feedback: Continuous engagement with users, including those with disabilities, can reveal unforeseen accessibility issues. Addressing this feedback promptly is crucial for maintaining an inclusive product.

What to Look for in a UX Partner:

• Scheduled Audits: Regular accessibility audits help identify and rectify issues before they become systemic problems. A proactive partner will schedule these assessments at appropriate intervals.
• Training and Documentation: Providing your team with up-to-date training and comprehensive documentation ensures that accessibility considerations are integrated into everyday workflows.
• Responsive Support: An effective partner offers timely assistance when accessibility concerns arise, whether due to user feedback or internal developments.

Questions to Ask:

• How do you support ongoing accessibility compliance post-launch?
• Do you offer regular audits and updates to align with evolving standards?
• What training and resources do you provide to ensure our team maintains accessibility best practices?

By ensuring your UX partner offers robust ongoing support, you safeguard your digital product against regression in accessibility, uphold compliance standards, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to inclusivity.

9. Can They Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, or Security Stakeholders?

Accessibility doesn’t exist in a vacuum, especially not in regulated industries. The teams responsible for inclusive design often intersect with those responsible for legal risk, regulatory compliance, privacy, and information security. A UX partner who doesn’t understand that, and can’t operate in those conversations, isn’t just incomplete. They’re a liability. Whether you’re building a health platform subject to HIPAA, a government-facing product bound by Section 508, or an enterprise tool undergoing SOC 2 or PCI audits, you’ll need a partner who can connect accessibility to the broader risk profile. That means helping document design decisions, aligning with procurement checklists, and responding to concerns raised by legal or security teams during contract review.

It also means they understand that compliance isn’t just about UI, it’s about how content is structured, how users authenticate, how systems notify or error out, and how all of that is documented. If a partner can’t sit in a room with your general counsel or CISO and explain how their work intersects with your compliance posture, they’re not ready for enterprise-level collaboration.

What to ask:

• “Have you worked directly with legal or compliance teams to support accessibility documentation or reviews?”
• “Can you help us build accessibility into our broader governance model, including risk assessments, SOC 2 controls, or audit prep?”

If they can say yes to that, you’re not just hiring a design team, you’re gaining a partner that helps your org meet modern accessibility and compliance expectations with confidence.

Accessibility Is More Than a Capability, It’s a Partnership Standard

Choosing the right UX partner isn’t just about who can make your product look good. It’s about who can help you safeguard user trust, reduce risk, and scale accessibility from day one; without rework, excuses, or last-minute fixes. The vendors who get this right don’t just pass audits. They prevent problems. They help you move faster, with less friction. And they make accessibility feel like a core feature of your workflow, not a compliance tax you pay later. So ask the hard questions up front. Look for real answers, not rehearsed ones. And choose a partner who doesn’t just understand the letter of WCAG, but who can design for it, build for it, and prove it.

Use this checklist in your next vendor evaluation, or even your internal team review. The best UX partners won’t just answer these questions, but thank you for asking them.

‍