"Whack-a-Mole" Fails, Over and Over Again

• Organizations repeatedly fail basic automated testing
• ... the focus hasn't been on the system, but the page.
• axe-core initial release 1.0 was in 2015
• ... which was over a decade ago.
• Periodic automated scans catch issues
• ... but after non-compliant code reaches production.

The Hierarchy of Truth

1. Disabled Users & Lived Experience <-- Highest Authority
2. Accessibility SME Manual Audits backed by WCAG
3. Deterministic DOM Scanners (axe-core)
4. Synthetic AT Automation (GuidePup & GuidePup MCP)
5. Probabilistic AI Proposals (LLM Candidates) <-- Lowest Authority

Human Driven

• Nothing About Us, Without Us
  • We need to do much better at engaging PwD and hiring them.
• Accessibility Statements
  • These are a key feedback loop for any system. Actively listen to your users.
• Design Systems
  • Shift left. Yes, an ACCESSIBILITY.md may help, but not as much as a well supported design system.
• Accessibility Champions
  • Accessibility is a team sport. Build your champions.
• Training
  • Everyone needs to learn more about how others interact with the tools we build.