Accessibility statement

An accessibility statement tells users how accessible your website or service is. It helps people understand what works well and what doesn’t, so they can decide how to use your content. It should be easy to find, ideally linked from every page on your site.

A good accessibility statement also shows that you care about your users and that you take accessibility seriously. When you keep the statement up to date, your visitors don’t have to guess whether something will work for them.

Don’t make claims you know aren’t true, and don’t ignore accessibility problems once you’ve listed them. If issues exist, describe when or how you plan to fix them. Include when the statement was created and last updated so readers know how current it is.

Also, check whether your country or region requires an accessibility statement by law; rules vary across places.

What should be in an accessibility statement?

Your statement should clearly explain the accessibility of your website or digital content. At a minimum, include:

1. Standards and rules you follow: Explain which accessibility guidelines your site aims to meet.
2. Any known accessibility issues: If parts of the site don’t meet your accessibility goals, describe what they are.
3. How to get help: Include contact details so people can report problems or ask for help using your content.

Make sure the statement itself is accessible. Use clear language, headings, and good page layout so everyone can read it easily.

Requirements under the EU Web Accessibility Directive

If your site needs to follow the EU Web Accessibility Directive, your accessibility statement must include these things:

1. What parts of the site do not meet accessibility rules, and explain why those parts aren’t accessible.
2. How can users access the information in another way? If part of the site isn’t accessible, explain how users can still get the same information.
3. Contact details for accessibility feedback: Provide an email or other electronic contact so users can send feedback.
4. A link to the supervisory authority: Include a link to the authority where users can make a complaint or ask for clarification.

Why this matters

An accessibility statement doesn’t just help meet legal requirements; it builds trust with your users. It shows you’re honest about where your site works well and transparent about where improvements are needed. Updated, clear accessibility statements save users time and frustration.