The right questions before hiring an accessibility specialist will separate qualified professionals from those who overstate their capabilities. You need to confirm their audit methodology is fully manual, their WCAG conformance knowledge is current, and their pricing structure is transparent. A few direct questions during the vetting process can save thousands of dollars and months of rework.
| Category | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Audit Methodology | Confirm the specialist conducts fully manual evaluations, not automated scans alone |
| WCAG Standard | Ask which version they evaluate against: WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 AA |
| Credentials | Look for DHS Trusted Tester certification or equivalent professional training |
| Deliverables | Expect a detailed audit report with issue-level documentation and severity ratings |
| Pricing | Get a clear cost breakdown based on page count and complexity before signing |
What Audit Methodology Does the Specialist Use?
This is the first question and the most important one. A manual accessibility audit is the only way to determine WCAG conformance. Automated scans only flag approximately 25% of issues. If a specialist relies primarily on scanning tools, they cannot deliver a complete evaluation.
Ask directly: “Is your evaluation fully manual, or do you use automated tools as the primary method?” A qualified auditor will describe a process that involves a human evaluating each page against WCAG success criteria using assistive technology like screen readers.
Scans have a role as a supplementary step, but they are a separate activity from an audit. Any specialist who treats them as interchangeable is not the right hire.
Which WCAG Version Do They Evaluate Against?
WCAG 2.1 AA remains the most widely referenced standard for ADA compliance and Section 508 conformance. WCAG 2.2 AA is newer and increasingly requested, especially in procurement contexts and for organizations preparing for the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
Ask which version they default to and whether they can evaluate against either. A specialist who only references WCAG 2.0 is working with an outdated standard. You want someone current with 2.1 AA at minimum, and ideally comfortable with 2.2 AA as well.
What Credentials or Training Do They Have?
Accessibility does not have a single required license, but credentials matter. The DHS Trusted Tester certification is well regarded for auditors evaluating digital content against Section 508 and WCAG. IAAP certifications like CPACC and WAS also indicate formal training.
Beyond certifications, ask about their experience. How many audits have they completed? What types of digital assets have they evaluated: websites, web apps, mobile apps, software? A specialist who has only worked on informational websites may not be prepared for a complex SaaS product or mobile application.
Experience with assistive technology matters too. Ask whether they evaluate with NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, or TalkBack. Auditors who use these tools daily produce more accurate reports than those who rely on checklists alone.
What Does the Audit Report Look Like?
The deliverable is the audit report. Before hiring, ask for a sample. A strong report documents each accessibility issue individually, maps it to the relevant WCAG success criterion, includes a severity rating, and provides a clear description of what needs to change.
If the sample report is vague or only lists pass/fail results without context, that is a red flag. Your development team needs actionable detail to remediate issues efficiently.
Also ask whether the report distinguishes between different levels of severity. Prioritization matters when you are managing remediation across a large digital asset with a limited budget.
Do They Offer VPAT/ACR Services?
If you need a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) completed as an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), ask whether the specialist can deliver one. A VPAT is the template. The ACR is the completed document that maps your product’s conformance status against a specific standard.
Not every auditor offers ACR services. And filling in a VPAT properly requires a thorough audit as the foundation. Ask which VPAT edition they work with: WCAG, Section 508, EN 301 549, or INT. The WCAG edition is the default for most SaaS companies.
ACRs do not have a formal expiration date, but they should be updated after significant product changes. A good specialist will mention this without being prompted.
How Is Pricing Structured?
Accessibility audit pricing varies widely. Ask for a clear breakdown. Most specialists price based on page or screen count and complexity. A ten-page informational website costs far less than a forty-screen web app with dynamic forms and interactive components.
Get the quote in writing before work begins. Ask what is included: the audit report, a remediation consultation call, validation after fixes, or ongoing support. Some consultants bundle remediation guidance. Others charge separately for each phase.
If a quote seems unusually low, ask what methodology they use. A fully manual evaluation takes time. Pricing that undercuts the market by a wide margin often signals an automated or partially automated approach dressed up as a full audit.
Can They Support Remediation?
An audit identifies issues. Remediation fixes them. These are distinct phases, and not every specialist offers both. Ask upfront whether they provide remediation consulting, developer guidance, or direct code fixes.
If the specialist only delivers the audit report, confirm that the report is detailed enough for your internal team or a third-party developer to work from. Ask whether they are available for follow-up questions during the remediation phase, even if they are not doing the development work themselves.
Validation is also worth discussing. After fixes are made, someone needs to verify that the issues are resolved. Ask whether the specialist offers a validation review and what that costs.
What Is Their Communication Style?
This question gets overlooked. Accessibility projects involve coordination between the specialist, your development team, and often your leadership. A technically brilliant auditor who is unresponsive or unclear in communication creates friction that slows the entire project.
Ask about turnaround time for the audit. Ask how they prefer to communicate: email, scheduled calls, or a project management platform. Ask whether they provide a point of contact for questions during and after the engagement.
Should I Ask for References or Past Client Examples?
Yes. Any experienced accessibility specialist should be able to share references or describe past projects at a general level. Ask about the types of organizations they have worked with and the scope of those engagements. A consultant who has worked with government agencies, SaaS companies, and ecommerce sites brings a broader perspective than one who has only served a single industry.
Is It Better to Hire a Freelancer or a Company?
Both can deliver quality work. Freelancers often offer lower rates and direct communication with the person conducting the evaluation. Companies may offer a broader service package: audit, remediation, training, and ongoing monitoring. The right choice depends on the size and complexity of your project, your timeline, and your budget. AccessibilityBase.com lists both individual specialists and companies, which makes comparison simple.
How Do I Know If a Specialist Is Overcharging?
Compare quotes from at least two or three providers. Ask each one to explain their pricing methodology. If one quote is significantly higher, it may reflect a more thorough process, or it may reflect enterprise-level overhead that does not match your needs. Transparency in how the cost maps to deliverables is what separates fair pricing from inflated pricing.
Hiring the right accessibility specialist comes down to asking direct questions and evaluating the specificity of the answers. Vague responses about methodology, deliverables, or pricing are the clearest warning sign. A qualified professional will welcome detailed questions because their work holds up to scrutiny.
Contact AccessibilityBase.com to browse qualified accessibility specialists for your next project.