Published: 9 May 2026
Accessibility Has Entered the Risk Mainstream
Prioritising accessibility in procurement is no longer a niche concern. It’s now a critical risk category that organisations must manage proactively. Inaccessible products can lead to legal liabilities, operational disruptions, and reputational damage — just like cybersecurity breaches and privacy violations.
The Three Dimensions of Accessibility Risk
1. Legal Risk
Inaccessible products can breach anti discrimination laws. Organisations face:
- complaints
- investigations
- enforceable undertakings
- reputational damage
2. Operational Risk
If staff cannot use internal systems due to accessibility barriers, productivity drops and HR risk increases.
3. Reputational Risk
Public-facing accessibility failures can trigger media scrutiny and erode trust. Accessibility is no longer optional — it’s a compliance obligation.
Why Accessibility Belongs Beside Cybersecurity
Accessibility and cybersecurity share striking similarities:
- Both require continuous monitoring
- Both involve vendor assurance
- Both rely on governance, not one-off checks
- Both can cause operational outages
- Both are now standard procurement requirements
Procurement teams already manage cybersecurity risk. Accessibility fits naturally into the same frameworks.
Embedding Accessibility Into Procurement Processes
1. Update RFP Templates
Include:
- mandatory ACRs
- accessibility testing requirements
- remediation expectations
- governance questions
2. Include Accessibility in Evaluation Criteria
Weight accessibility alongside security, privacy, and functionality.
3. Add Accessibility Clauses to Contracts
Contracts should specify:
- remediation timelines
- reporting obligations
- version updates
- penalties for non-compliance
4. Require Evidence, Not Promises
Ask for:
- ACRs
- test reports
- design system documentation
- accessibility roadmaps
How to Assess Vendor Maturity
A mature vendor can demonstrate:
- A dedicated accessibility owner
- Regular audits
- A maintained design system
- Testing with people with disabilities
- Clear remediation processes
- Transparent communication
Immature vendors rely on vague assurances.
Case Examples
Example 1: Internal System Failure
A government agency purchased an HR system that was inaccessible to screen reader users. Staff could not apply for leave or access payslips. The agency had to implement a costly workaround and renegotiate the contract.
Example 2: Public-Facing Complaint
A financial services provider launched a new customer portal with inaccessible authentication flows. Complaints escalated, leading to reputational damage and emergency remediation.
Conclusion
Accessibility is a procurement risk category that demands the same rigour as cybersecurity and privacy. Organisations that treat it seriously reduce exposure, improve operational resilience, and deliver better outcomes for staff and customers.
Services
Procurement: Learn how AccessUX helps IT buyers and procurement teams to source accessible ICT and evaluate supplier accessibility claims teams.