Cultural change:
the first step
Digital accessibility ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities, can access websites an
So much of our lives: work, education, healthcare, social connection, happens online. But the digital world isn’t always built for everyone. Many people, especially those with disability and the elderly, are left out when digital spaces aren’t truly accessible. To fix this, society needs a culture change that puts accessibility at the heart of how we think about technology and communication.
Digital accessibility isn’t just about ticking technical boxes. It’s a mindset shift that values inclusion and equal access for all. That change doesn’t happen overnight. It happens through small steps, deliberate actions, and shared responsibility across communities, businesses, schools, and governments at every level.
What does cultural change look like? How we can start doing it? The answer is one step at a time.
d online services. Automated tools like WebAIM (WAVE), Axe, and Lighthouse help organisations quickly find accessibility issues. They are fast, easy to use, and good at identifying obvious technical problems.
However, automated tools only catch the low-hanging fruit. True accessibility requires human testing, clear content, and user-focused design.
Read on to understand why automated tools are helpful, their limits, and how DASAT supports organisations in achieving real digital inclusion.
Why Cultural Change Matters
Before we talk about steps, it’s necessary to understand why culture matters so much:
- Accessibility isn’t automatic: Many content creators don’t realise that inaccessible content excludes people with disability, older adults, or those with low digital confidence. (DASAT – Break the barriers, improve digital accessibility)
- It affects real lives: When websites, apps, and documents aren’t accessible, people can miss essential services, job opportunities, education, and community. (Centre For Accessibility Australia – Making digital accessibility a priority)
- Legal expectations exist: Standards like the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are frameworks that guide inclusive digital design. (Digital Government Australia – Dis, Criterion 4 make it accessible)
Changing culture around accessibility leads to better products, happier users, stronger brand reputation, and a fairer society for all.
Step-by-Step: Building an Accessibility-Friendly Culture
1. Start with Awareness:
Talk About It
Cultural change begins with understanding.
- Raise awareness in schools, workplaces, and community groups about what digital accessibility is and why it matters.
- Share stories and examples of people affected by poor accessibility.
- Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day each May to encourage conversations and learning. (GAAD – Global Accessibility Awareness Day)
Tip: Awareness isn’t just for designers and tech teams. It matters for leaders, content creators, marketers, HR teams, and everyday users.
2. Educate and Train — Build Confidence
Once people know why accessibility matters, they need to know how to do it.
- Learn the basics of accessible content — like writing clear headlines and adding descriptive text to images.
- Use resources such as digital accessibility courses and training. The team at DASAT provides practical training and guidance on how to put accessibility into practice. Visit dasat.com.au to explore guides and support. (DASAT – Digital Accessibility and Communication)
Start small. Add an hour each week to learn and practise something new. Little steps build lasting habits.
3. Set Simple, Practical Goals
Rather than trying to “fix everything at once,” focus on achievable actions:
- Add alternative text to images.
- Use colours with good contrast so everyone can read your text.
- Ensure video content has captions or transcripts (Why Accessible Video Is the Smartest Investment in Your Content Strategy).
These sound like tiny tweaks. They make a big difference. A balanced, step-by-step approach helps avoid overwhelm and gets real results.
4. Test with Accredited Bodies That Include People with Disability
Accessibility isn’t abstract. It’s lived.
- Work with accredited accessibility bodies that have people with disabilities on their team.
- These organisations provide real-world testing and feedback, uncovering barriers that automated tools can miss.
- Using accredited testers ensures your digital products are evaluated fairly and professionally, with lived experience at the centre.
Making accredited testing part of your process enhances outcomes, fosters trust, accountability, and improves digital experiences for everyone.
5. Embed Accessibility into Everyday Work
Accessibility should be part of everyday decisions.
- Make it part of procurement — choose tools and vendors that prioritise accessibility.
- Include accessibility checkpoints in your project plans and review processes.
- Encourage teams to consider accessibility from the outset, not as an afterthought. (Do better campaign – Digital Accessibility)
This shift, from reactive fixes to proactive design, is the essence of cultural change.
6. Measure Progress and Celebrate Wins
What gets measured gets improved.
- Set simple indicators like: “All new content meets basic accessibility checks.”
- Share progress regularly with teams and leadership.
- Celebrate achievements, even small ones, because they show that change is happening.
The Big Picture: Accessibility as Normal
Cultural change means normalising accessibility so that it isn’t just a special task for one person or team. It becomes part of the way we think, teach, create, and share.
Accessible digital design benefits everyone, not just people with disability. Clear language, good structure, and multiple ways to consume information make content easier to use for all audiences. (DASAT – Digital Accessibility and communicaiton)
By making digital accessibility a habit, step by step, society becomes more inclusive, more equitable, and more connected.
One final thought
Changing culture doesn’t happen overnight, but every small step, whether it’s adding alt text to an image or talking about accessibility in a team meeting, moves us toward a digital world that truly belongs to everyone. What is the first step you will take today?
Helpful Resources
- Digital Accessibility and Communication (DASAT) — a practical overview of accessibility principles.
- Digital Inclusion Standards in Australia — guidance on accessible content and services.
- Meet Aandi – Digital Accessibility Resource — practical tips and guidance for making online content more inclusive.