Web Accessibility Consulting Services: A Practical Guide to Digital Inclusion

Nowadays, accessibility is no longer optional, it’s an absolute necessity. In fact, the European Accessibility Act has mandated that EU websites and digital services must be fully accessible by June 28, 2025. Due to this, websites must meet all accessibility requirements.

The World Health Organization reports that around 16% of people on our planet have disabilities. So once your website content is available to everyone, you ensure equal access and embrace larger audiences. 

Below, we share how a web accessibility consultant can help your business grow. Also, you’ll learn how to hire this professional promptly and cost-effectively.

In this article, we’ll review the accessibility essentials, from the key testing areas and relevant global regulations to how to choose the right partner for long-term compliance.

The Critical Importance of Website Accessibility Consulting

Investing in digital accessibility consulting is more than just meeting regulations. Above all, it also ensures the following impact drivers:

• Avoiding legal risks and reputation issues;
• Improving SEO thanks to the accessibility upgrades that make your site easier for search engines to “read”;
• Ensuring both seamless and inclusive user experience;
• Broadening audience reach and improving conversion and churn metrics;
• Strengthening brand image as an ethical business;
• Future-proofing your site thanks to proactive compliance practices.

Without structured, expert-driven insights and best practices, achieving these aspects would be highly challenging. That’s exactly where Mobilunity’s ADA consulting services step in.

The Essentials of Web Accessibility Consultancy Services

The statistics above say that each sixth potential visitor of your website can have low vision, hearing loss, cognitive disabilities, or other physical limitations. This number is even greater (28.7%) in the US. So when you include text descriptions to visuals, add color contrast and font enlarging features, enable keyboard navigation, etc., you share your message with everyone.

However, ensuring accessibility might be more complex than it seems. In reality, accessibility adherence involves many aspects, and consulting services provide a multi-faceted approach to tackle a wide range of issues. Let’s review what they commonly include.

Navigation & Interaction Testing

Digital accessibility consultants meticulously audit navigation flows and recommend fixes to remove hidden barriers, thus ensuring users move through the site easily even if they rely only on a keyboard.

Core Components

• Keyboard-only testing
• Focus order and focus visibility testing
• Skip links and navigation landmarks verification
• Dynamic content and modal dialog accessibility testing

Assistive Technology Compatibility

Consultants perform various tests and train teams on coding practices that ensure website content compatibility with assistive devices.

Core Components

• Screen reader testing (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack)
• ARIA roles and attributes validation
• Semantic HTML structure review

Visual & Design Accessibility

To guarantee all accessibility requirements are met, specialists also provide a range of design reviews. This involves validating that colors, fonts, layouts, and other visual elements support readability for people with low vision or color blindness.

Core Components

• Color contrast and visual accessibility testing
• Alt text and image accessibility verification
• Font resizing and scaling validation
• Layout and responsive design checks

Forms & Input Fields

Forms should be clearly labeled and designed so that errors are accessible and simple to correct. Accessibility consultants ensure this by performing meticulous testing and guiding developers in implementing accessible validation messages.

Core Components

• Form and input field accessibility testing (labels, errors, instructions)
• Error identification and feedback testing
• Autocomplete and field grouping verification

Multimedia Accessibility

To ensure multimedia accessibility, experts recommend captioning and transcription workflows, double-checking if all video and audio content includes captions, transcripts, descriptions, and controls.

Core Components

• Video accessibility testing (captions, transcripts, audio descriptions)
• Audio accessibility testing (volume control, transcripts)
• Dynamic media controls validation

Code & Compliance

Since websites and apps should align with WCAG standards and function consistently across browsers and devices, consultants run automated and manual code scans to uncover potential compliance gaps.

Core Components

• Automated code scanning for WCAG compliance
• Cross-browser and device compatibility testing for accessibility
• PDF and document accessibility checks

User Experience & Real-World Scenarios

Last but not least, consultants can assist with testing accessibility in real life, validating it through real user journeys and direct feedback from people with disabilities.

Core Components

• Advanced manual scenario testing
• Cognitive scenario testing
• User testing with people with disabilities

US and EU Accessibility Regulations

While the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines provide the global technical standard, each country and region enforces accessibility through its own laws and compliance frameworks in alignment with the global WCAG 2.0–2.2 guidelines. It encompasses the belief that IT should encompass the so-called POUR principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.

4 WCAG Principles for an Accessible Website

Your website has to meet the four WCAG criteria (abbreviated as POUR) to be friendly to users with disabilities:

• Perceivable 

Each visitor, regardless of vision, hearing, or other difficulties, should be able to read or hear the information on your web page or mobile app. 

• Operable

Users need to have access to all interface elements and sections. They should be able to navigate website components using a mouse, keyboard, or voice assistant. 

• Understandable

Your web content should be comprehensible for people with cognitive impairments and foreigners. Also, it must have a straightforward and intuitive structure.

• Robust

Your web visitors must be able to process the content with various assistive technology tools. So users can freely choose the software for understanding texts, videos, audio, and diverse functionalities. 

At first glance, WCAG criteria look simple, but applying them requires skills and experience. In addition, W3C has technical specifications called Web Accessibility Initiative – Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA). So you’ll definitely need to hire a WCAG developer to make it all work for your web resources.

USA Accessibility Regulations

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

As a part of ADA, the following titles encompass website accessibility regulations:

• Title II now has a final DOJ rule that requires WCAG 2.1 AA for public-sector websites and mobile apps. Larger entities must comply by April 26, 2026, and smaller entities by April 26, 2027. 
• Title III for private businesses is enforced through litigation and settlements, and WCAG is widely treated as the benchmark in practice.

Rehabilitation Act

• Section 508 requires U.S. federal agencies to make all ICT accessible, incorporating WCAG 2.0 A/AA and covering vendor-procured solutions.
• Section 504 prohibits disability discrimination in federally funded programs; HHS’s 2024 rule requires WCAG 2.1 AA for web and mobile. 

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

• Section 1557 of ACA states that health programs must prevent discrimination, including digital barriers. The 2024 rule strengthens requirements for websites, apps, and telehealth, with expectations aligned to WCAG 2.1 AA.
  

21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)

• CVAA outlines people with disabilities must have equal access to advanced communications, broadband, and video services and devices, or otherwise may be faced with up to $100,000 fineper violation and up to $1,000,000 per day for continuing violations.

The Communications Act

• Section 255 requires telecom equipment and services to be accessible where “readily achievable,” enforced by the FCC. 

21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA)

• IDEA tackles modernization of federal websites and services, explicitly requiring Section 508 accessibility compliance.

Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)

• ACAA-based regulations by the U.S. The Department of Transportation (DOT) require airline websites to meet WCAG 2.0 A/AA on a defined timeline, and self-service kiosks must meet specific accessibility requirements.

Besides, additional state-level laws and policies include:

• California AB 434 requires regular accessibility certification for state sites (WCAG 2.0 AA).
• Colorado HB21-1110 mandates WCAG 2.1 AA for state and local government digital resources, with a grace period to July 1, 2025.
• Illinois IITAA 2.1 requires WCAG 2.1 AA for state IT (in effect June 24, 2024).
• Texas 1 TAC 206/213 sets state web and EIR accessibility rules aligned with 508.
• New York State Policy NYS-P08-005 establishes minimum ICT accessibility requirements for state entities.

Canada

• Accessible Canada Act (ACA) implies that federal bodies and regulated orgs; guidance aligns with WCAG/EN 301 549.
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) adheres to public sector and private/non-profits ≥50 employees, with the requirement for public web content to meet WCAG 2.0 AA with defined exceptions.

Australia

• Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) prohibits discrimination, with digital access enforced via complaints and case law (e.g., SOCOG) through the Australian Human Rights Commission.

In Australia, government guidance points to WCAG 2.x Level AA as the benchmark; many teams adopt the latest WCAG for new builds and major updates.

European Union (EU)

• Web Accessibility Directive applies to public-sector websites and apps, requiring compliance via EN 301 549 that mandates accessibility statements and monitoring.
  
• European Accessibility Act (EAA) extends to private-sector consumer products/services (e-commerce, e-books, transport, banking interfaces, terminals, etc).
  

United Kingdom (UK)

• Equality Act 2010, acting as the UK’s overarching anti-discrimination law enforced by the EHRC, requires reasonable adjustments for disabled people, which applies to digital services.
• Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018, being monitored and enforced by GDS, mandates public-sector websites and apps meet WCAG 2.1 AA and publish an accessibility statement
• ISO 30071-1 serves as a process standard (successor to BS 8878) for embedding accessibility in design and development.

France

• RGAA (v4.x)  operationalizes WCAG 2.1 AA in French rules and, under Law No. 2005-102, requires audits and public accessibility statements for the public sector.

Germany

• BITV 2.0 requires statements/monitoring, as a law under the Disability Equality Act (BGG) for public-sector digital services aligned with EN 301 549 / WCAG 2.1 AA.
• BFSG (in cases of EAA implementation) applies to relevant private-sector products/services from June 28, 2025, with defined transition periods.
  

Norway (EEA-aligned)

• Equality and Anti-Discrimination Act requires universal design for the public sector and many consumer-facing services.
  
• Regulations on Universal Design of ICT are dedicated to measure conformance against WCAG 2.1 AA and align with EU directives via the EEA.

The Business Advantages of Web Accessibility Consultants

Hiring an accessibility consultant is vital for every business that wants to tackle the complexity of accessibility regulations, since there is a wide range of aspects to consider. Without specialized expertise, addressing them thoroughly is extremely hard. 

Explore the table below to see some of the most common nuances that need to be addressed.

With Mobilunity compliance experts, you’ll benefit from in-depth expertise and proactive services. With a proven track record of making more than 150 websites fully inclusive, our consultants ensure faster compliance, accurate remediation, and reduced risk of costly rework.

Our WCAG Accessibility Services for Websites

Speaking of WCAG, compliance goes far beyond checking boxes. It requires structured testing and actionable remediation. 

At first glance, WCAG criteria look simple. However, applying them requires skills and experience, especially since W3C includes a range of technical specifications – for example, WAI-ARIA (Web Accessibility Initiative – Accessible Rich Internet Applications). Hiring a seasoned WCAG developer to tackle such aspects is a must-have in this case.

With this in mind, our accessibility services are designed to help you meet legal requirements and ensure a seamless experience for all users. See the audit options and what each package covers below.

Web Accessibility Audit Levels

The Web Accessibility Audit Packages offer three tiers aligned with WCAG 2.1/2.2, each covering different depth and scope:

• Level A Testing involves surface-level testing covering basics with the use of automated and manual tools;
• Level AA is a comprehensive testing that builds on this with advanced checks, such as  ARIA roles, screen-reader testing, responsive design, form validation, and others;
• Level AAA, which is the most advanced testing package, goes further with stricter contrast, sign language and audio description support, contextual help, language detection, and multiple navigation methods, all supported by advanced manual and cognitive scenario testing.

Mobile Accessibility Audit 

These packages are designed specifically for native apps on iOS and Android. Both follow WCAG 2.1 & 2.2 for Mobile, but the depth of testing differs:

• The Basic Audit for Mobile Apps reviews 8–12 key screens using WCAG checks on smartphones and emulators, providing summaries, compliance tables, and detailed reports. 
• The Comprehensive Audit tests the same scope on four physical devices, making it suitable for government, education, or tablet-heavy apps, with broader validation and deeper verification.

How Our Web Accessibility Consultancy Service Works

Mobilunity offers a white-label website accessibility consulting services designed to integrate seamlessly into your workflow. Here’s how:

Dedicated Support and Fast Estimation

From the moment you start, you’ll have a dedicated Account Manager as your single point of contact. We will be asking you to tell us:

• which specific local guidelines you’d like us to follow (or we’ll proceed with the commonly requested – WCAG audit),
• a list of pages/templates (links) or just link to the mobile application you’d like us to audit, 
• whether you’d like us to use any branding (since we provide white-label service, it’s possible to request audit documents to be branded with your agency logo or completely done as per your documentation standards),
• the deadlines you have in mind, in case of any.

Having this information gathered, we will get back to you within 24 hours with our estimate for the audit in terms of costs and timeline. 

Convenient Payment Schedule

If our estimate and timeline sounds reasonable to you, we will suggest a payment plan in 2 installments: invoice for the 50% of the project should be paid before the audit starts, while the final invoice for 50% payment is issued when we submit the final audit report.

Of course for larger projects we would be happy to suggest more flexible payment schedules with several installments – our Account Manager will be able to suggest a payment schedule custom designed for your project in this case.  

Comprehensive Audit Deliverables

Each package includes a detailed accessibility report that highlights issues with precise descriptions, affected elements, and practical technical recommendations. 

Here’s what you’ll get within our scope of deliverables (for the most common WCAG audit, scope may be different for local audits though – depending on the local requirements): 

• VPAT, which is a standardized document disclosing how your product conforms to WCAG, Section 508, and EN 301 549;
• Audit grid featuring a matrix of issues and recommended fixes mapped to WCAG criteria (status, severity, locations, etc.).
• Audit report with scope of performed actions and their findings;
• Audit summary highlighting key risks and prioritized recommendations;
• Declaration of conformity, which is a formal statement of the conformance level and testing scope.
• Accessibility statement, serving as a public page that describes current accessibility status and how users can provide feedback.

Flexible Timelines with Fast Delivery

Our audit timelines are tailored to project scope. While most engagements are typically completed within 2-3 weeks, we also provide expedited options if you need results faster. Once the audit is complete, you’ll receive a comprehensive audit package delivered directly to your inbox. We would be expecting your feedback to consider the project completed.   

Additional Accessibility Consulting Services We Provide

At Mobilunity, we provide a full range of accessibility consulting services tailored to where you are in your digital journey. The include:

• Web Accessibility Design – designed to embed accessibility early and prevent expensive retrofits;
• Web Accessibility Design Analysis – for mapping potential accessibility friction points;
• Web Accessibility Testing – identifying compliance gaps and gives you a clear roadmap for fixes.

Additionally, you can opt for extra consultancy services to assist you further in your accessibility efforts, such as:

• Post-Audit Support – essential for turning audit results into a clear action plan, with WCAG guidance and issue prioritization to keep your team focused;
• Remediation & Fixing – perfect for those who need expert hands-on implementation, from code adjustments to design refinements;
• Re-Audit / Verification Testing – designed to validate that fixes are effective, update compliance scores, and gain confidence to publish accessibility statements or achieve certification.

Selecting Web Accessibility Consulting Firms

When it comes to digital accessibility consultancy, finding your ideal partner is vital. However, the search isn’t always easy, especially if you consider hiring specialists from other countries or continents. To help you pick the best web accessibility consulting vendors, we’ve highlighted several key criteria.

Key Attributes of a Reliable Partner

Choosing the right web accessibility experts can be overwhelming, since there are numerous factors to review and consider. Vendor experience, track record of results, communication style, service quality, and long-term support availability all play an important role. Let’s review some of the most critical aspects.

№1. Expertise & Proven Track Record

First and foremost, without field knowledge and validated expertise, the vendor of your choice won’t be able to deliver full value.

Therefore, when evaluating the partner’s expertise, look for the following:

• At least 3 years of experience in the field;
• CPACC, WAS, CPWA, or equivalent certifications;
• Multi-faceted vendor’s team including QA, frontend developers, and accessibility auditors;
• Industry knowledge or experience across multiple sectors;
• Relevant case studies with evidence of accessibility compliance.

№2. Communication & Collaboration

When assessing communication and collaboration, verify that the partner:

• Ensures responsive and effective communication via preferred channels;
• Provides weekly updates and clear documentation;
• Works closely with development, design, and QA teams;
• Offers a dedicated account manager as a single point of contact.

This way, you’ll be able to ensure predictable delivery and smooth handoffs across teams throughout the cooperation.

№3. Service Delivery & Process

To guarantee efficient service delivery, confirm the partner:

• Provides realistic deadlines and flexibility if the project scope changes;
• Ensures comprehensive testing with a mix of automated scans and manual checks;
• Demonstrates transparent pricing with no hidden fees;
• Offers scalable services with packages for businesses of different sizes.
  

№4. Support & Long-Term Value

Accessibility is not a one-time activity but an ongoing effort. For that, you need a reliable partner who can:

• Provide guidance or direct implementation of fixes and re-audits;
• Keep you aligned with evolving WCAG standards and regulations;
• Be proactive and supportive whenever new regulations require changes.

Why Choose Mobilunity for Web Accessibility Consulting?

Over the years, dozens of international clients have relied on us as their long-term partner in accessibility and compliance. 

From Canada’s FinExpert to the Dutch Byg-E, Swiss Network of Arts, and Israel’s XPLG, we support organizations across FinTech, InsurTech, e-commerce, data analytics, GIS, and social media by delivering not just specialists, but fully managed accessibility services: design reviews, WCAG audits, remediation and training, plus ongoing monitoring and documentation to keep every release compliant.

Here’s why clients choose our managed consulting service.

> Proven expertise with global reach

With 12+ years of experience and 200+ professionals, we deliver seasoned web accessibility auditors and specialists through a managed model that supports clients with consistent quality and ongoing support.

> Cost efficiency without compromise

We provide top-tier talent at affordable costs and packaged as a white-label service, helping clients optimize budgets without losing expertise.

> Flexible, managed cooperation

From a single WCAG website consultant to full-service compliance teams, our managed models adapt to your needs, giving you flexibility and peace of mind while we handle operations and delivery.

Get expert guidance on accessibility compliance with Mobilunity’s web accessibility consulting services!

Written by:

Anastasia Stefanuk

Market Researcher

Disclaimer: All salaries and prices mentioned within the article are approximate numbers based on the research done by our in-house Marketing Research Team. Please use these numbers as a reference for comparison only. Feel free to use the contact form to inquire on the specific cost of the talent according to your vacancy requirements and chosen model of engagement.