It's always helpful to point to competitors that are implementing the same things that you are trying to champion. People are unlikely to do work just because someone else says so, so explaining or demonstrating the disadvantages of NOT having accessibility features is a great start. It's also very effective to point out that accessibility features have often become heuristics of products that we now expect to have. A great example of this is the crosshair, look up a guy called Robert Hooke and his telescope for the story.

To encourage a team to prioritize accessibility, start by highlighting its real-world impact through user stories and data, showing how it improves lives and expands reach. Integrate accessibility into workflows early, setting clear standards and providing tools like WAVE or Lighthouse for testing. Foster empathy with hands-on experiences, such as simulating disabilities or using assistive technologies, to help the team understand user challenges. Celebrate wins by sharing success stories and recognizing contributions to accessibility. Gain leadership buy-in to secure resources and emphasize accessibility as a core value. Lastly, make it personal by connecting accessibility to everyday experiences like temporary disabilities or aging.

I will emphasize that accessibility isn’t extra work, and it’s about reaching everyone and creating better, more inclusive experiences. Showing the team how small changes, like adding alt text or improving contrast, can have a huge impact. As a team member/leader/manager, it is my responsibility to educate them on how prioritizing accessibility drives innovation, strengthens connections, and benefits both business growth and personal development as empathetic individuals, inspiring them to embrace meaningful change.

I’d start by educating the team on the importance of accessibility—not just for compliance but for creating an inclusive user experience. I’d highlight how accessible design benefits everyone, including people with disabilities, and often improves overall usability. By sharing data on accessibility’s impact on audience reach and conversion, I’d emphasize its value. Collaboration tools, small wins, and clear guidelines can also make the process smoother, ensuring accessibility becomes part of the team’s standard workflow.

Resisting change is a natural human phenomenon, but everyone relates to and understands it when it is backed up with Logos (facts) and Pathos (empathizing). This will surely make the life of every Product Manager or UX Researcher easier.