Why Accessibility Needs to Be Part of Your DXP Strategy

Digital experience platforms (DXPs) have become essential tools for organizations that want to deliver personalized, seamless, and engaging customer experiences. Yet, one critical element is often overlooked: accessibility.

Accessibility is about people, not just about compliance. It is more than just a way to avoid lawsuits. It is about creating digital experiences that enable people to engage with your brand. When organizations prioritize accessibility, they show that they care about all users.

Expanding Your Audience and Impact

The CDC estimates that 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. have a disability. Over 70 million adults are automatically excluded when accessibility is ignored by your digital experience strategy. An accessible DXP ensures that your content and services reach people with permanent disabilities or temporary or situational limitations, like someone using a mobile device in bright sunlight or recovering from a broken finger. The result is a better user experience, more engagement, and higher conversion rates. Accessible sites can help your SEO and drive more organic traffic because search engines favor accessible sites. Plus, accessible design often results in cleaner code and future-proof solutions. Today's DXP decisions will shape your readiness for tomorrow, with WCAG 3.0 on the horizon and global accessibility laws tightening.

Compliance Isn’t Optional Anymore

Regulations such as ADA Title II & III, Section 508, the European Accessibility Act, and WCAG 2.2 (and upcoming WCAG 3.0) are setting the standard for what accessible digital content must look like. Failure to comply can lead to lawsuits and settlements, reputational damage, and loss of trust from users and stakeholders.

Integrating accessibility into your DXP strategy helps you avoid legal risks and sets the tone for responsible digital leadership.

What to Look for When Evaluating or Implementing a DXP

• Clean, well-structured HTML that works with assistive technologies like screen readers.
• Support for responsive layouts on all devices. This will help users with different abilities and preferences.
• Easy ways to add descriptive alt text for images and captions or transcripts for audio/video content.
• The capability to maintain minimum color contrast ratios.
• The ability to fully navigate all interactive elements, including links, buttons, and forms, by keyboard alone.

For Your Consideration: Acquia Optimize

While the Velir team is DXP-agnostic, one platform, in particular, shines regarding accessibility optimization: Acquia Optimize. If you're looking to create digital experiences that are both engaging and accessible, Acquia Optimize DXP could be a solid fit. It helps simplify accessibility compliance with automated checks, real-time suggestions, and straightforward guidance, making meeting WCAG and ADA requirements easier.

The platform also supports adaptive personalization while maintaining accessibility, so users with different needs still get a smooth experience. Built-in tools for keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and color contrast checks help catch accessibility issues early. And since it includes training and resources, teams can continuously improve accessibility without starting from scratch. It’s a practical option for balancing usability, inclusivity, and compliance.

How a Focus on Accessibility Pays Off

• Accessibility makes your digital experiences usable for everyone, which increases your audience and potential customers.
• Accessible experiences across all touchpoints lead to increased loyalty and retention.
• A proactive approach to accessibility helps avoid costly lawsuits and ensure compliance.
• Accessible DXPs are flexible, so your business can change with your technology and operational needs. This ensures sustainability and competitiveness in the long run.

Investing in accessibility in your DXP strategy drives growth, reduces risk, and sets your business up for long-term success.

The Bottom Line

Accessibility is not a one-time fix. It’s a commitment; the sooner you make it part of your DXP strategy, the more agile and ready your organization will be. Making accessibility part of your DXP strategy strengthens your brand, expands your reach, and ensures you are prepared for the future of digital engagement.

Not sure how to integrate accessibility into your DXP strategy? Contact us. Our experts would be happy to help you understand more about the process and help you get started.