When Brand Reputation Matters More Than Money
You can talk about the financial risk of non-compliance. You can even point to legal penalties and regulatory crackdowns. But for many corporate organisations, there is something they value even more than money:
Their brand.
Some years ago, we were asked to build a standalone site for a major global company. The project came to us through one of our premium agency partners, and it involved building a site that followed the company branding guidelines exactly.
Our developer followed those branding documents with great care. Or so we thought. One tiny visual detail had changed. Instead of a sharp corner on a panel, the design featured a soft curve.
It turned out the curve had been taken from early drafts of a future rebrand. Branding that had not been officially released.
The result?
The UK Head of the organisation had to fly to the Corporate Headquarters in Europe to explain how this anomaly had occurred. Not a phone call. Not a video conference. A physical meeting across borders, because the brand had been seen in public before it was ready.
And it was just a corner.
Now Imagine What Happens When Your Brand Gets Fined
If a premature curve can trigger that kind of escalation, imagine what happens when a website is found to be non-compliant under the European Accessibility Act.
Imagine a journalist, a blogger, or a disabled user highlighting your site and tagging your brand.
Imagine a regulator issuing a public fine that puts your organisation in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Suddenly, it is not just about compliance. It is a reputational risk.
Accessibility Is Now a Brand Issue
At Access by Audit, we work with organisations to ensure that their websites are both compliant and inclusive. That process begins with a full accessibility audit, carried out by a team of disabled testers, to identify issues that may be putting your brand at risk.
We then create a compliant Accessibility Statement to offer immediate protection. Alongside this, we provide a roadmap for ongoing improvement through accessible web design that meets legal and user needs alike.
This is not just about avoiding penalties. It is about ensuring your brand reflects the values you stand for.
Because accessibility is not just a legal issue. It is a brand issue.
Start with an accessibility audit today
Protect your brand. Avoid fines. Do the right thing.