2026 Mantis & Co. Predicts The Future of Accessibility in Design
Introduction
The future of accessibility in design is we, not me.
Each year, we do a future-casting exercise to imagine a future accessibility and design state. This time, instead of doing that work alone, we’ve invited a group of colleagues to join the exploration. Our work here is equal parts creativity, perception and observation, relying on a blend of signals, data and invention.
In a moment where everything feels like it’s shifting, community matters more than ever. The core principle of our predictions for 2026 is interconnectedness, recognizing the strengths we bring as adaptive, resourceful, creative humans. Sitting with the messy challenges, taking and making space and evolving the narrative of access through design.
Each contributor was asked to share their own view of the future of accessibility in design shaped by their experiences, observations, hopes, fears, data points, trends and human experience. In an increasingly over-generated world, this project is a reminder that our collective voices can be heard. We hope you enjoy the collective story about 2026.
Predictions
-
Explore how Anna Thielke predicts vibe coding and AI-generated design will intensify accessibility gaps and accountability risks, calling for collective, disability-led collaboration to shape better outcomes.
-
Discover how Damian Sian predicts AI tools will empower accessibility practitioners to prototype their own solutions, closing the gap between expertise and implementation.
-
Explore how Eric Bailey predicts compliance deadlines and automated tools risk creating performative accessibility that fails users.
-
Discover how Kai Wong predicts authentic storytelling will become a key differentiator as AI accelerates content creation and accessibility education reaches new heights.
