What Is Digital Accessibility Maturity, and How Do You Improve It?

Author: Level Access

For many European and U.K.-based organisations, the period following the EAA deadline is proving more challenging than the preparation phase that preceded it.

With enforcement underway, organisations now face sustained pressure to demonstrate that accessibility across websites, mobile apps, and documents is being maintained. As digital portfolios continue to expand and change, this is where the real test begins.

For lasting compliance, organisations must expand their focus beyond technical requirements to programme maturity. Is accessibility being supported by repeatable processes, or does it still rely on last-minute fixes? Are teams equipped with the skills to address accessibility as part of their everyday responsibilities? And can accessibility scale as digital portfolios grow, without constant rework and bottlenecks?

This blog explores what digital accessibility maturity means, why it matters, and how organisations can strengthen their programmes to support long-term compliance.

What is digital accessibility maturity?

Digital accessibility maturity refers to an organisation’s ability to deliver accessible experiences reliably and consistently across teams, tools, and an evolving digital portfolio.

A mature approach provides organisations with a clearer way to understand how well their accessibility program is working, and where important gaps remain. It helps organisations move beyond isolated fixes, empowering them to set priorities, guide improvement, and focus efforts where they will have the greatest impact.

In more mature organisations, accessibility is built into everyday workflows. Processes, skills, and accountability are established early, allowing teams to make informed decisions, align across functions, and sustain progress as digital portfolios grow.

Why does accessibility maturity matter?

Meeting the EAA deadline was an important milestone, but, without maturity, many U.K. and EU organisations will be at risk of reverting to reactive modes of accessibility work, where issues surface late and progress depends on individual effort rather than reliable processes.

Digital accessibility maturity is what helps to break that cycle. Mature organisations embed accessibility into design, development, and governance so outcomes become consistent and easier to sustain.

And the benefits of a mature accessibility practice extend well beyond compliance. Users with disabilities encounter fewer barriers, and digital experiences become easier for everyone to navigate—a phenomenon called the “curb cut effect.” Internally, teams spend less time reacting to issues and more time working proactively: testing earlier, fixing issues in-flow, demonstrating progress continuously, and, over time, preventing many accessibility issues from arising in the first place.

So how can teams determine where they are today and what steps will enable them to mature? While accessibility maturity is not achieved through any single initiative or tool, a maturity model, such as the Level Access Digital Accessibility Maturity Model (DAMM), offers a structured way to assess current capabilities and guide improvement over time.

Five actionable steps to build digital accessibility maturity

To maximise the value of a maturity model such as DAMM, assessment must be combined with action. The following five practices reflect how organisations build digital accessibility maturity—moving from intention to sustained capability.

1. Establish a clear baseline across your entire digital portfolio.

Most European organisations now operate complex digital estates spanning websites, applications, and documents. Establishing a maturity baseline allows teams to understand current accessibility status across assets, compare performance between teams, and identify where the most significant gaps and risks sit. This baseline also provides a reference point for measuring progress over time, rather than relying on isolated audits.

2. Build repeatable processes supported by the right tooling.

Mature organisations move away from ad hoc remediation toward repeatable, systematic practices. Testing and monitoring tools enable teams to manage accessibility at scale, prioritise issues effectively, and maintain momentum across large portfolios. This shift reduces reliance on reactive fixes and makes accessibility more predictable and easier to sustain.

3. Strengthen skills with role-specific training.

Sustainable accessibility depends on shared understanding, not specialist knowledge held by a few individuals. Role-specific training supports the embedding of accessibility expectations across design, development, content, compliance, and procurement teams. This creates the cultural foundation that allows accessibility to become part of everyday practices and decision-making.

4. Use AI-powered tools to accelerate maturity.

AI-powered tools can help organisations operationalize accessibility at scale by enabling earlier issue identification and faster remediation while reducing manual effort. Intelligent tools also support strategic decision-making by making it easy for programme leaders to report on progress. Regular reporting allows organisations to track improvement, focus investment where it matters most, and demonstrate continuous advancement.

5. Establish governance to sustain progress over time.

Maturity is ultimately reinforced through governance. Clear ownership, defined responsibilities, and consistent reporting ensure accessibility does not depend on individual effort or temporary initiatives. As organisations scale, governance provides the structure needed to maintain conformance with standards, manage risks from third-party vendors, and ensure accessibility remains aligned with broader organisational priorities.

Advance the maturity of your digital accessibility programme.

Meeting the EAA deadline was demanding, but the real work still lies ahead. To sustain compliance as their digital products and services continue to evolve, organisations must now make accessibility part of their ongoing operations.

Level Access works with organisations across Europe and the U.K. to support the development and scaling of mature accessibility programmes. From assessment and testing to implementation, training, and ongoing guidance, we help teams embed accessibility into everyday workflows, so it becomes a consistent, organisation-wide practice. To learn more about our Digital Accessibility Maturity Model, and request a maturity assessment, visit our DAMM solutions page.