Beyond Compliance: Shifting Left in Digital Accessibility Testing

Abstract

As digital experiences continue to shape how we work, live, and connect, accessibility must be more than a final checklist—it must be built in from the start. This talk will explore how teams can shift left in their approach to digital accessibility testing, embedding it earlier in the product lifecycle to remove systemic barriers and drive inclusive innovation.

We’ll examine why this shift is crucial now, how new technologies are making it easier than ever to scale testing through automation, and what it takes to create a culture where accessibility is owned by everyone—from product to engineering.

Key Takeaways

1. Shifting Left Matters: Embedding accessibility early in the development cycle helps catch issues sooner, reduce rework, and create more inclusive experiences.

2. The Time Is Now: Rising user expectations, legal pressures, and advances in testing technologies have aligned to make accessibility a strategic imperative.

3. Automation at Scale: New tools powered by AI and better CI/CD integrations allow teams to efficiently cover broader areas of accessibility testing.

4. Culture Over Tools: Success depends not just on adopting the right tools, but on building a culture of shared responsibility and inclusion.

5. Accessibility in the Workflow: From PRDs to code reviews, integrating accessibility into existing development and testing practices ensures sustainability and consistency.