How should accessibility issues be prioritized?

Prioritizing accessibility issues by severity and the number of people affected is essential because it ensures that the most critical issues are addressed first. This approach aligns with the principles of accessibility that emphasize the impact on user experience and functionality. Serious issues that affect a large number of users can create significant barriers to access, preventing individuals from navigating, understanding, or interacting with content effectively.

Addressing high-severity issues that impact many users leads to a more inclusive experience while also complying with legal and ethical obligations related to accessibility. This method of prioritization enables organizations to allocate resources effectively and make the most meaningful improvements to accessibility, thereby enhancing user satisfaction and compliance with standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

While other factors like remediation costs, ease of fixing, and reporting dates may play a role in determining how issues are addressed, they do not outweigh the importance of focusing on severity and the breadth of impact on users.