Assess: Discovery Assessments
Discovery assessments provide early clarity into accessibility posture and emerging risk patterns. They are designed to surface barriers, distinguish isolated issues from systemic challenges, and support informed decisions about whether deeper assessment, training, a Full WCAG Audit, or future accessibility support may be warranted.
Many organizations begin with discovery assessments when they know accessibility may be a concern but do not yet know the extent of the issues, the level of risk involved, or what type of assessment is most appropriate. Discovery assessments are designed to reduce uncertainty and support informed decision-making before larger accessibility investments are made.
| Aspect | Light Assessment | Mid-Level Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Most Useful When | • You need an initial understanding of accessibility concerns. • Leadership or stakeholders need visibility before committing to broader efforts. • You want to determine whether deeper assessment may be warranted. • Accessibility has become a concern, but the scope of the issue is not yet understood. | • Accessibility concerns have already been identified and broader assessment is needed. • You need greater visibility into patterns, exposure, and user impact. • Leadership requires stronger decision support before committing to a Full WCAG Audit. • You want a more complete understanding of accessibility exposure before determining whether a Full WCAG Audit is warranted. |
| Appropriate Uses | Initial clarity, discovery, determining whether deeper assessment is needed | Determining whether a Full WCAG Audit is warranted, broader risk visibility, procurement or insurance risk awareness |
| Purpose | Provide early visibility into accessibility barriers and patterns that may indicate risk | Identify systemic issues and characterize accessibility exposure |
| How to Read and Use This Assessment | This assessment helps determine whether accessibility concerns are present and whether further investigation is warranted. It is best used to inform future decisions, which may include a deeper assessment, targeted training (ENABLE), or consideration of a Full WCAG Audit. It is not intended to support compliance claims or external representation. | This assessment supports decision-making by identifying patterns and areas of elevated accessibility exposure. It is best used to determine whether a Full WCAG Audit, training and enablement efforts, or additional assessment may be warranted. It does not replace a Full WCAG Audit where formal reliance, remediation planning, accessibility documentation, complaint review, regulatory scrutiny, or external representation is involved. |
| Typical Scope | Representative pages, workflows, templates, content types, or selected assets | Expanded coverage across templates, content types, and application flows |
| Evaluation Focus | Observable accessibility barriers affecting real users | Patterns of failure, consistency, and user impact |
| Assessment Methods | Human-led evaluation supported by automated tools and lived-experience testing | Structured manual evaluation, automated analysis, lived-experience testing |
| Risk Interpretation Tier | Directional risk indication identifying whether exposure trends toward lower, moderate, or higher concern; no impact or likelihood scoring is performed | Basic risk characterization using a qualitative impact and likelihood lens |
| Typical Outputs | Summary findings, high-impact issues, directional risk observations, and general accessibility recommendations | Detailed findings, risk characterization, decision-support insights, and recommendations regarding whether additional assessment may be warranted |
Discovery Is Often the Beginning
Many organizations use discovery assessments as a starting point for understanding accessibility exposure and determining an appropriate path forward.
Depending on what is learned, organizations may choose to pursue accessibility training and enablement, a comprehensive WCAG audit, or no additional action at all. Discovery assessments are intended to support those decisions by replacing uncertainty with evidence-based understanding.
Where a comprehensive understanding of accessibility posture is required for remediation planning, accessibility documentation, complaint review, formal reliance, or external representation, Par Sentio recommends a Full WCAG Audit.