There is a shortage of qualified accessibility professionals against a huge market demand for accessibility services – including consulting – so there’s never been a better time to start your own accessibility consulting business.
Below I’ve included several recommendations for accessibility professionals looking to build a business in digital accessibility. Also, I have a course with 5 hours of video of me talking through exactly what I would do to start an accessibility business.
You can find this course on ADACompliance.net
How Much Can You Make
Here’s a general outlook on how much you can expect to make based on your experience level (and about where you should price at):
- Entry-level consulting rates typically range from $50-$100 per hour
- Mid-level consultants can charge $100-$150 per hour
- Expert-level consultants often charge $150-$195+ per hour
By the way, if you’re interested in a job, salaried positions typically range from $50,000 to $250,000, with $90,000 being a solid middle ground.
Marketing (So People Can Find Your Business)
Your Website
Having your own website is crucial – it’s your primary business hub. While social media platforms are crucial, they shouldn’t be your only foundational presence. Your website should include:
- A portfolio of your work (appropriately redacted for client privacy)
- Clear description of your services and expertise
- Testimonials from colleagues and clients (when available)
- Pricing information (if you’re comfortable sharing it)
Social Media
LinkedIn is particularly powerful for digital accessibility consulting. It’s often the platform where you’ll find the most direct serious inquiries and opportunities (I receive a fair amount of consulting inqueries directly through LinkedIn. Other platforms to consider:
- YouTube (if you’re comfortable creating content)
- Medium or your own blog for written content
- Twitter (though results may vary)
Specialization
You can be an accessibility generalist, but I think it will be easier to experience success if you focus on one aspect of accessibility.
- Accessibility for one industry
- Accessibility for certain content
- Mobile app accessibility
- Accessibility policy and program development
By specializing, it makes it easier for people to find you and for you to become a brand.
Building Your Client Base
Don’t spend too much time trying to set everything up to be just perfect. Rather, you need to get clients in the door, start making money, and building momentum.
Starting Out
When you’re first starting:
- Consider pricing slightly below market rate to gain experience
- Offer multiple-hour packages rather than single hours
- This way you can sell a mini-subscription
- Be clear about what you can and cannot do
- You have certain limitations, be sure clients know if you can’t fulfill part of their request
- Focus on building momentum through excellent service
Networking with Colleagues
I also receive a fair amount of referrals from colleagues and industry friends. Many accessibility professionals have more work than they can handle. Let your colleagues know:
- What specific services you offer
- Your areas of expertise
- Your availability
- Consider offering referral fees (10-15%)
Many times you may not even be competing with your colleagues for certain services so it can be a 100% win-win.
Delivering Value to Clients
Remember to focus on providing real value to your clients. This includes:
Clear Communication
- Explain complex concepts in simple terms
- Be transparent about what you can and cannot do
- Help clients understand exactly what they’re getting
Building Trust
- Put your clients’ needs first
- Focus on saving them time and money
- Provide clear, actionable recommendations
- Help them avoid common pitfalls
Growing Your Business
Content Creation
Creating content can help establish your expertise:
- Write detailed blog posts about accessibility topics
- Create case studies (with client permission)
- Share your knowledge through videos or articles
- Focus on addressing common client questions
Growing Your Business
Start by stacking your entrepreneurial endeavor on top of your current income source. This reduces risk and allows you to build momentum. You don’t need to quit your job right away – you can work on your business during your off hours.
Creating content can be powerful for attracting clients. Whether it’s through your own blog, Medium articles, or YouTube videos, sharing your knowledge helps demonstrate your expertise. Focus on creating helpful, clear content that answers common questions in your niche.
Additional Thoughts
This space cannot be big enough. There’s opportunity everywhere, and it’s often being overlooked. Focus on delivering real accessibility – not just surface-level compliance. Build relationships, deliver excellent work, and the referrals will follow.
Remember that owning your own business is actually risk reduction in the long run. While it may seem risky at first, you’re never going to fire yourself. The more intelligently you work and invest in your business, the stronger it will become and the less risk you’ll have.
Success in this field isn’t just about technical knowledge – it’s about clear communication, understanding client needs, and delivering genuine value. Start with a solid foundation, be transparent with clients, and focus on building momentum through excellent service.
Course
My how to start a digital accessibility business course contains all of my recommendations and advice from 7 years of being in this industry and having worked with hundreds of clients.
I talk about opportunities, marketing, sales, getting paid, philosophy, and many other practical topics to help you get started faster and make more money.
Learn more about the course on ADACompliance.net