The long-standing systems or platforms are the environment created long before accessibility became essential for enterprises/organizations. Now these systems ought to transform their UI & UX and offer accessible solutions. However, some of them struggle to meet modern accessibility standards. To integrate accessibility into these systems, organizations face a strategic decision: Should they remediate existing overall digital environment or pursue a full redesign?
This article explores both ways, helping organizations choose the approach that makes sense for their context.
Understanding the accessibility challenge in legacy systems
Legacy systems typically exhibit one or more of the following traits:
- Outdated codebases using deprecated technologies.
- Fragmented UX patterns built over years of incremental changes.
- Minimal built-in accessibility considerations.
- High dependency on proprietary or third-party modules with accessibility limitations.
These systems often fail to meet accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1/2.2 or regional regulations like the ADA (US) or EAA EN 301 549 (EU)
Before deciding on remediation or redesign, it’s essential to assess:
- Severity of accessibility gaps.
- Technical debt and maintainability.
- User needs and business goals.
- Regulatory deadlines and risk exposure.
Accessibility remediation: Fixing existing design and UX!
Accessibility remediation involves incrementally addressing accessibility issues within the current system - without requiring a complete rebuild. The goal is to improve accessibility within the constraints of existing architecture.
Key activities involved in the remediation process
- Updating semantic HTML.
- Adding ARIA roles where appropriate.
- Improving keyboard navigation.
- Ensuring color contrast and readable fonts. Use this free color contrast checker.
- Updating forms with proper labels and instructions.
- Fixing skip links and focus management.
- Retrofitting alt text for images and transcripts for multimedia.
Benefits of accessibility remediation
| Benefit | Why it matters |
| Cost-effective in short term | Requires less upfront investment than a full redesign |
| Reduced disruption | Users and internal teams continue using familiar interfaces. |
| Faster compliance gains | Organizations can prioritize critical issues and fix them quickly. |
Challenges of remediation
- Hidden technical constraints: Legacy code may be brittle, making changes risky.
- Band-aid effect: Fixing surface issues without structural improvements can lead to recurring accessibility problems.
- Compounding complexity: Over time, multiple patches can increase technical debt, making future enhancements more challenging.
- Limitations of patchwork: Some accessibility issues (e.g., fundamental workflow redesigns) cannot be solved with surface fixes.
Accessibility redesign: Rebuilding for the future
Accessibility redesign means rebuilding the system – often from the ground up – with accessibility as a core guiding principle. It involves creating new UX flows and architecture and follow latest coding practices.
Key activities that drive the redesign process
- Redefining information architecture with accessibility in mind.
- Choosing accessible UI frameworks and components.
- Rewriting workflows for inclusive user experiences.
- Implementing automated testing into CI/CD.
- Building with WCAG 2.2 and future standards in mind.
Benefits of accessibility redesign
| Benefit | Why it matters |
| Future-proof accessibility | Accessibility becomes part of the code’s DNA, not an afterthought. |
| Improved UX for all users | Inclusive design often enhances usability for everyone. |
| Lower long-term maintenance costs | Modern, standardized codebases are easier to update and extend. |
| Scalable foundation | Easier to integrate with current tools and platforms (like assistive tech). |
Challenges of redesign
- Higher upfront cost: Redesign requires investment in UI/UX, engineering, and quality assurance.
- Longer time to delivery: Building from scratch takes longer than patching.
- Change management: Users and teams may need training and support for new workflows.
Accessibility Remediation vs Redesign: Which one to prefer and when?
Organizations’ decisions should be driven by a strategic framework rather than a one-size-fits-all rule.
Prefer accessibility remediation when:
- The enterprise websites can be made compliant without extensive structural changes.
- Budget and time are limited.
- The system is scheduled for replacement soon.
- Organizations need to meet regulatory deadlines quickly.
- Accessibility gaps are isolated and not deeply embedded.
Prefer accessibility redesign when:
- A system has pervasive accessibility barriers.
- The codebase is obsolete, brittle, or hard to maintain.
- Organizations need to embed inclusive design as a competitive advantage.
- Enterprises digital environments aim to future-proof for new technologies and standards.
- Users consistently face significant barriers in key workflows.
A hybrid roadmap: Phased accessibility modernization
Systems don’t always have to prefer one of the methods. Many organizations succeed with a phased approach:
- Phase 1 – Accessibility audit & prioritization
- Phase 2 – Targeted remediation for high-risk paths
- Phase 3 – Accessibility-first redesign planning
- Phase 4 – Parallel redesign and remediation
Conduct a detailed audit (automated + manual accessibility audit ) to categorize issues by severity.
Fix core user journeys to meet minimum compliance.
Start planning a redesign roadmap based on technical debt, business priorities, and user insights.
Begin rebuilding key modules while continuing to patch others.
This hybrid accessibility approach provides immediate relief while preparing for a strategic evolution.
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Remediation or redesign: How to measure their success?
Whatever path a legacy system chooses, they require to establish KPIs:
- Compliance metrics (WCAG requirements)
- User testing outcomes
- Assistive technology performance
- Time to task completion
- Support tickets related to accessibility
Use both quantitative tools (such as automated accessibility scanning and monitoring, analytics) and qualitative insights (such as user feedback sessions) for a holistic view.
Some recommendations
- Engage real users with disabilities – their input ensures that organizations solve real problems.
- Treat accessibility as continuous improvement, not a one-off project.
- Embed accessibility into design systems, testing suites, and development workflows.
Read more: Online events and webinar accessibility
Wrapping up
Accessibility remediation and redesign are not two sides of a coin; different yet serve similar intention. They are tools in organizations’ toolkit.
Remediation brings quick relief within the constraints of legacy systems. Redesign lays the foundation for inclusive digital experiences long into the future.
Choosing the right path requires balancing business priorities, user needs, technical realities, and regulatory obligations. With the right strategy, organizations can transform legacy systems into accessible, sustainable digital platforms that serve everyone – today and tomorrow.
If you’re ready to make your digital platforms fully accessible, we are here to help. Our team specializes in both accessibility remediation and complete redesigns, ensuring your website or application meets the latest WCAG guidelines while delivering a smooth, inclusive user experience. Whether you need fast compliance fixes or a long-term accessibility strategy, we offer custom solutions backed by strong technical expertise and a proven track record. Partner with us to modernize your digital presence, improve usability for every user, and show your commitment to accessibility. Reach out hello@skynettechnologies.com for more information.
