Post 9: The Accessibility Consultant Problem

Many organizations bring in accessibility consultants. Good.

But here's what usually happens:

The consultant reviews the system, identifies barriers, makes recommendations. The product team nods, schedules a "fix" for the roadmap, and moves on.

The consultant was never in the room where core design decisions were made. The accessibility perspective was added downstream, not upstream.

Real inclusive design doesn't separate accessibility work from product work. It requires disabled people and accessibility experts *embedded in core design authority from the beginning*.

Not consultants reviewing decisions after the fact.

Core team members shaping what gets built.

This requires restructuring how product decisions get made.

#InclusiveDesign #Accessibility #ProductLeadership