Fostering Change, Not Gatekeeping

Vibe Check – Moving Beyond Gatekeeping: Accessibility as a Collaborative Effort

Accessibility is often misunderstood. Many view it as a set of rigid rules enforced by gatekeepers, stifling creativity and innovation. However, true accessibility is about fostering change for everyone. It’s about empowering designers, researchers, and developers to create inclusive experiences—not dictating how they should do their jobs.

By shifting our mindset from gatekeeping to collaboration, we can create a more inclusive digital world without sacrificing creativity or efficiency. Let’s explore this transformation and how accessibility can thrive as a shared responsibility.

Personal Story – When Accessibility Becomes a One-Person Show

Not long ago, I was working on a project where multiple accessibility specialists were involved. One individual, however, took complete control of the process, refusing to listen to feedback from other specialists, designers, or developers. Instead of researching best practices or engaging in discussions, they insisted their approach was the only correct way. Any alternative ideas were shut down, and accessibility decisions were dictated rather than explored collaboratively.

This created a frustrating dynamic. Team members felt disengaged, accessibility concerns became about meeting one person’s preferences rather than actual user needs, and innovation was stifled. The result? A final product that technically checked off accessibility requirements but didn’t provide a great experience for people with disabilities.

This experience reinforced the importance of collaboration in accessibility. No single person holds all the knowledge—accessibility is about learning, evolving, and ensuring solutions truly work for all people. When teams work together, accessibility becomes an opportunity rather than a restriction.

Elevate the Vibe – Understanding Accessibility

Accessibility refers to the practice of making products, services, and environments usable for people of all abilities and disabilities. This includes a range of considerations—from visual and auditory accessibility to cognitive and motor challenges.

The goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can engage with digital content and physical spaces. However, accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about designing experiences that work for all people.

Vibe Up – Moving Beyond Gatekeeping

Historically, accessibility has been seen as a box-checking exercise. Compliance with guidelines like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) often leads to a tick-list mentality, where designers and developers feel pressured to follow specific rules rather than understanding the broader implications of their work.

This approach can create a divide between “accessibility experts” and the teams responsible for creating user experiences. Instead of being gatekeepers, accessibility advocates should act as collaborators—providing support and guidance while empowering teams to embrace inclusive design principles.

Assessing Accessibility Culture in Your Team

Want to see if your team views accessibility as a shared responsibility or a gatekeeping process? Ask these questions:

Are accessibility decisions made collaboratively, or do they feel like imposed rules?
Does your team proactively discuss accessibility, or does it feel like an afterthought?
Are designers and developers encouraged to experiment with inclusive solutions?

Vibe Boost – How to Foster a Collaborative Accessibility Mindset

Shifting accessibility from a compliance task to a collaborative effort requires intentionality. Here’s how:

1) Knowledge Sharing and Documentation

Instead of dictating accessibility rules, provide knowledge and insights that encourage creative problem-solving.
Maintain accessibility documentation that offers guidance without limiting innovation.
Encourage teams to test their ideas and learn from real-world experiences.

2) Celebrate and Encourage Each Other

Accessibility isn’t always easy—it requires problem-solving and adaptation.
Celebrate small wins to create a positive atmosphere around accessibility work.
A supportive team environment fosters creativity and encourages people to embrace accessibility challenges.

3) Embrace the Challenge and Changes

Accessibility shouldn’t be viewed as restrictive; it should be seen as an opportunity for innovation.
Encourage teams to experiment with new approaches rather than defaulting to traditional methods.
Shift the mindset from "accessibility is hard" to "accessibility makes our work better."

4) Education and Awareness

Provide workshops and training sessions to demystify accessibility.
Show how accessibility benefits all people, not just those with disabilities.
Equip teams with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.

5) Embed Accessibility into Design and Development

Encourage designers to adopt inclusive design principles from the start.
Include accessibility considerations in design critiques and development sprints.
Make accessibility part of the design system so it’s a natural part of every project.

6) User-Centered Approach

Involve people with disabilities in research, design, and testing.
Gather real-world feedback to understand how design choices impact people.
Foster empathy by connecting teams with the lived experiences of diverse users.

7) Iterative Processes

Accessibility is not a one-and-done task—it requires continuous improvement.
Encourage iterative design based on user feedback and evolving accessibility standards.
Integrate accessibility checks throughout the product development lifecycle.

8) Cross-Disciplinary Teams

Promote collaboration between designers, developers, and accessibility advocates.
Encourage open discussions to explore innovative solutions to accessibility challenges.
Foster a culture where accessibility is seen as a shared goal, not an isolated responsibility.

Self-Reflection – Evaluating Your Accessibility Approach‍

Think about how accessibility fits into your workflow:

Does your team embrace accessibility as an opportunity, or does it feel like a burden?
How can you encourage a more collaborative approach to accessibility?
What steps can you take to integrate accessibility into your process more effectively?

Write down your thoughts or discuss them with your team to shift toward a more inclusive and collaborative accessibility culture!

Vibe in Action – Making Accessibility a Shared Responsibility

Now that you understand how accessibility can thrive as a collaborative effort, take action:

1) Apply What You’ve Learned

Identify areas where accessibility processes can become more collaborative.
Shift from a compliance-based approach to a culture of innovation and inclusion.

2) Share the Knowledge

Organize accessibility discussions and training sessions within your team.
Encourage open conversations about accessibility challenges and solutions.

3) Keep Learning

Follow accessibility professionals and stay updated on best practices.
Engage with accessibility communities and contribute to the conversation.

Vibing Out

Accessibility should never be about one person controlling the experience—it’s about working together to build inclusive solutions. When accessibility is treated as a collaborative effort, teams can innovate, adapt, and create digital experiences that truly work for everyone.

Moving beyond gatekeeping means shifting from rigid enforcement to open conversation, where accessibility is woven into every step of the process. By embracing this mindset, we can build a digital world that prioritizes inclusivity without stifling creativity.