Multi-Annual Digital Accessibility Plan 2024-2027
Digital accessibility plan for the years 2024 to 2027
Introduction
This Multi-Annual Digital Accessibility Plan highlights Michelin's commitment and approach to digital accessibility, as well as the measures taken to create and improve accessible websites and applications
Accessibility Policy
Michelin's accessibility policy for making its digital solutions accessible initially involves integrating digital accessibility into the skills and processes to promote the creation of accessible content that reaches a partially compliant level when these contents are published, and then continuously improving the level. This commitment is embodied in training and equipping content creators, whether they are designers, developers, or others. Another aspect of this commitment is raising awareness among stakeholders in digital projects, whether they are sponsors, product owners, product managers, project managers, etc. Compliance with the legal framework, although part of Michelin's concerns, is not the primary objective.The commitment mentioned in the previous paragraph leads to a prioritization focused on improving creation processes rather than achieving transparency through audits. Consequently, digital solution accessibility audits will be conducted after major updates, if such updates are planned, to allow teams to improve accessibility and avoid redundant audits (increasing costs and time invested). Michelin, through its own solutions and those of its subsidiaries, has a very large and diverse catalog of websites, intranets, and applications. The implementation of this policy and the management of the resulting projects, which will be described in this document, are the mission of the Digital Accessibility Lead. This lead has the status of project manager and is part of a cross-functional support team within the Information Systems and Operational Digital Transformation Department.
Human and Financial Resources allocated to digital Accessibility
The Accessibility lead is surrounded by a multidisciplinary team consisting of contributors from the user experience team, brand management service, and the legal department. This team collaborates with people responsible for standardizing the development processes of digital solutions oriented both externally and internally. It also collaborates with training, communication, and purchasing services.
Digital accessibility consideration within michelin
Awareness and training actions
A training program is being developed. It currently includes a one-day general training session led by an external provider. The addition of a digital accessibility fresk is planned for awareness purposes. More specific modules, better suited to the needs of different contributor profiles (designers, developers), are being considered. Finally, the group's disability network is also involved to raise awareness among as many people as possible.
Consideration of digital accessibility in Projects
As mentioned in the group's policy, the goal is for projects, whether their solution is already online or not, to reach the partially compliant level of the RGAA (or AA level of the WCAG) and then for teams to consider digital accessibility in their continuous improvement process. To achieve this, the project team wants content creators to be trained and the right tools to be made available to them to facilitate the accessibility process. This involves identifying relevant browser extensions, automation tools for tests, and sharing guidelines.
Consideration of digital accessibility in public procurement procedures
Michelin regularly purchases off-the-shelf software solutions. The project team is currently collaborating with category managers to ensure that digital accessibility criteria are considered in such purchases. Two of these criteria are that the solution provider has an accessibility policy and that the solution is transparent about its level of accessibility. Finally, a difference in digital accessibility level should allow solutions to be distinguished from each other.
Recruitement
Digital accessibility is part of the knowledge sought in new candidates in the information services fields. Finally, a particular effort is currently being made to ensure that the site dedicated to recruiting new talent is as accessible as possible.
Handling user feedback
User feedback and requests can be addressed via a generic email address displayed in the accessibility statement and managed by the accessibility lead and their team, who will assist customer service in responding.
Control and validation process
The project team aims, with the support of the handicap network, to create a group of testers with disabilities to seek their help during user tests of digital solutions.
Technical and functional scope
Inventory
The list of sites and applications is too long to share here. The lists of digital solutions audited each year ae detailed in the annual plans completing this multi-annual plan.
Evaluation and qualification
The prioritization of sites for audits and improvement is based on the following criteria:
Site traffic
Site reach/importance for the brand
Update schedule to avoid auditing a site with a significant update planned soon