Web accessibility is no longer a one-time compliance task; it is an ongoing commitment. Many organizations invest in Accessibility Remediation Services to fix issues identified through audits, align with WCAG standards, and reduce legal risk. However, remediation is only the beginning. Without a sustainable maintenance strategy, accessibility regressions are almost inevitable as content, features, and technologies evolve.
This article explores best practices for maintaining accessibility after remediation, helping organizations protect their investment and deliver inclusive digital experiences over the long term.
Why Accessibility Maintenance Matters
Accessibility failures often reappear due to routine website updates, new content, design refreshes, third-party integrations, or CMS changes. Even well-remediated sites can drift out of compliance if accessibility is not embedded into daily workflows.
Maintaining accessibility ensures:
- Continued compliance with WCAG 2.1/2.2 and legal requirements
- Consistent access for users with disabilities
- Reduced risk of accessibility-related complaints or litigation
- Better usability and SEO performance
Organizations that treat accessibility as an ongoing process, rather than a project with an end date, achieve far more sustainable results.
1. Embed Accessibility Into Development Workflows
One of the most effective ways to maintain accessibility is to integrate it directly into your development lifecycle.
Best practices include:
- Adding accessibility checks to code reviews
- Using accessible design patterns and component libraries
- Including accessibility acceptance criteria in user stories
- Running automated accessibility tests in CI/CD pipelines
When accessibility becomes part of “how work gets done,” fewer issues are introduced in the first place. Many Accessibility Remediation Services providers also offer guidance on building accessible design systems to support long-term maintenance.
2. Train Teams Beyond the Initial Remediation
A common mistake after remediation is assuming developers and content authors will “just know” how to keep things accessible. In reality, ongoing training is essential.
Key groups to train:
- Developers (semantic HTML, ARIA usage, keyboard navigation)
- Designers (color contrast, focus states, layout structure)
- Content creators (headings, links, alt text, captions)
- QA teams (manual accessibility testing techniques)
Accessibility training should be role-specific and refreshed periodically. Many organizations partner with Accessibility Remediation Services providers for ongoing workshops, documentation, and office-hours support.
3. Establish Accessibility Governance and Ownership
Accessibility maintenance requires clear accountability. Without ownership, issues are easily overlooked or deprioritized.
Recommended governance practices:
- Assign an accessibility lead or champion
- Define escalation paths for accessibility issues
- Maintain internal accessibility standards aligned with WCAG
- Track accessibility defects like any other production issue
Larger organizations may also form accessibility councils or cross-functional working groups to ensure consistency across products and teams.
4. Monitor Accessibility Continuously
Accessibility audits should not be a once-a-year event. Continuous monitoring helps catch issues early, before they affect users or escalate into compliance risks.
Monitoring approaches include:
- Automated scanning tools for common WCAG failures
- Manual testing of critical user journeys
- Regular screen reader and keyboard testing
- Periodic third-party audits
Automated tools are valuable but limited; they typically detect only 30–40% of issues. Combining automation with expert manual testing often provided through ongoing Accessibility Remediation Services offers the most reliable coverage.
5. Control Third-Party and CMS Content
Third-party widgets, plugins, and embedded tools are a frequent source of accessibility regressions. Similarly, CMS-driven content can introduce issues if not properly governed.
Best practices include:
- Vetting third-party tools for accessibility compliance
- Including accessibility clauses in vendor contracts
- Providing accessible content templates in the CMS
- Restricting non-compliant components and plugins
Organizations should document which components are approved and accessible, reducing the risk of accidental violations.
6. Maintain Clear Accessibility Documentation
Documentation plays a critical role in sustaining accessibility over time, especially as teams grow or change.
Helpful documentation includes:
- Accessibility coding standards
- Design guidelines and component usage
- Content authoring checklists
- Known limitations and exceptions
Well-maintained documentation ensures accessibility knowledge is not lost when employees leave and supports consistent implementation across teams.
7. Plan for Accessibility in New Features and Redesigns
Major redesigns and feature launches are high-risk moments for accessibility regression. Accessibility must be considered from the earliest planning stages not retrofitted later.
Key actions:
- Include accessibility requirements in project briefs
- Test prototypes for accessibility before development
- Involve accessibility experts early
- Budget for accessibility validation post-launch
Many organizations retain Accessibility Remediation Services partners on a retainer basis to support new initiatives proactively rather than reactively.
Conclusion
Accessibility remediation is a critical milestone but it is not the finish line. Maintaining accessibility requires ongoing effort, cultural adoption, and structured processes. By embedding accessibility into workflows, training teams, establishing governance, and continuously monitoring performance, organizations can ensure long-term compliance and inclusive user experiences.
Partnering with experienced Accessibility Remediation Services providers can further strengthen maintenance efforts, offering expertise, tools, and support as digital platforms evolve. Ultimately, sustainable accessibility is not just about compliance it’s about building digital products that work for everyone, every day.