Five Ways to Advance Digital Accessibility in 2026

Preparing your digital accessibility program for 2026? With customer expectations rising and regulations tightening, organizations need more than good intentions—they need a clear, scalable roadmap.

To uncover what’s working, we surveyed over 1,600 digital experience professionals for our Seventh Annual State of Digital Accessibility Report. Here are five data-backed strategies that leading teams are using to drive measurable progress in 2026.

1. Accelerate progress at scale with AI-powered tools.

AI is a force multiplier for accessibility programs. By combining automation with human expertise, organizations can scale faster, reduce manual effort, and demonstrate ROI.

Our research shows that organizations are embracing intelligent solutions: 82% of respondents say they’re using AI in their accessibility work, and 86% consider AI capabilities when purchasing new accessibility tools.

82% of professionals say they use AI tools in their accessibility strategy.

Those most likely to invest in AI tooling have something in common. Adoption is especially high among larger and more mature organizations who need to manage accessibility at scale.

If you’re ready to expand your program’s impact, without additional resources, consider following their lead. AI-enabled tools can make it easier for teams to operate efficiently, while delivering measurable results. For example, intelligent chatbots like Ask Level AI reduce delays by providing instant answers to common accessibility questions, so teams don’t need to wait on input from specialists to move work forward.

2. Close knowledge gaps through role-specific training.

Accessibility success depends on people, not just tools. Training equips teams to solve complex issues and embed accessibility into everyday workflows, reducing risk and driving better user experiences.

Teams with access to high-quality training tend to be more proactive and report stronger connections between accessibility and business results. Our research shows that professionals at organizations with “highly effective” training are 2.6 times as likely to say they approach accessibility proactively—and 3.5 times as likely to say accessibility helps improve revenue.

Professionals at organizations with “highly effective” training are 2.6x as likely to approach accessibility proactively.

Training is most effective when it’s focused on real-world problem solving and tailored to the unique needs of different roles. Self-paced learning platforms, such as the Level Access Academy, are a practical alternative to live sessions for busy teams.

3. Use smart testing and monitoring tools to understand risk.

Even though 92% of respondents are at least “somewhat confident” in the accessibility of their primary digital experience (like their website), 59% still feel vulnerable to legal or regulatory action. The numbers don’t add up—suggesting many organizations struggle to understand their real risk status.

Confidence without clarity can be problematic. Intelligent testing and monitoring give leaders the visibility they need to prioritize high-impact fixes and avoid costly compliance gaps. To support accessibility at scale, seek out tools that condense large volumes of audit and test data into actionable takeaways, providing clear insight on risk exposure—and how to reduce it.

4. Integrate accessibility checkpoints across the SDLC.

The most common reason that organizations feel vulnerable to legal action isn’t lack of awareness—it’s lack of process. Nearly half (49%) of respondents who believe they’re at risk cite “lack of sufficient process for efficiently meeting compliance requirements.” as a factor. What does that mean? Teams aren’t integrating accessibility into the software development life cycle (SDLC) early enough to catch issues before experiences go live.

49% of respondents who believe they’re at risk attribute this to lack of sufficient process.

By embedding accessibility checkpoints throughout the SDLC, you can proactively prevent accessibility barriers from reaching production—mitigating legal exposure. And catching issues early is always faster, easier, and more cost-effective than fixing them after launching.

To get started, leverage designer tools, plugins, and CI/CD integrations that make accessibility part of teams’ daily workflows. When teams have the tools and guidance to identify and remediate issues early, accessibility ultimately becomes a natural part of digital experience creation, not an extra task.

5. Regularly report results to earn leadership support.

Accessibility programs thrive when leadership sees measurable impact. Regular reporting connects accessibility to revenue, risk reduction, and customer experience, turning it from a compliance checkbox into a strategic priority.

This top-down support is critical to programs’ success. Compared to those without backing from leadership, respondents at organizations with “highly supportive” executives were 25% less likely to feel at risk of legal or regulatory action, and nearly seven time as likely to say digital accessibility contributed to increased revenue.

Importantly, reporting doesn’t have to be time-consuming. AI tools like our Reporting Agent rapidly generate executive-ready progress summaries, making it easier for program owners to show impact and secure ongoing leadership buy-in.

Ready to accelerate accessibility progress in 2026?

Level Access provides the tools, training, and expertise to help you scale confidently and deliver inclusive, high-performing digital experiences.

Connect with us today to learn how we can support your goals.