Ultimately, the service provider is legally responsible for the accessibility of their services, including the services they purchase from others.
Many services include third-party applications and libraries, such as social media walls, cookie apps, chatbots, or embedded videos.
The service provider’s responsibility for these components depends on factors such as:
In general, the service provider is responsible for ensuring that all parts of the service, including third-party components, are accessible, especially if they influence the selection or integration of those components.
When launching a service, it’s important to create an accessibility statement.
An accessibility audit can make this process easier by providing a detailed report of the service’s accessibility status. Keep this report updated as the service evolves, and conduct audits regularly. Continuous monitoring of accessibility is strongly recommended.
In the future, simply adding a statement may not be enough. You may also need to report any shortcomings to the supervisory authority once the European Accessibility Act is fully in force.
Read more about the requirements of the Accessibility Statement
Yes, part of the responsibility can be outsourced to a service supplier through contracts. However, the service provider remains legally responsible for the entire service.
Service suppliers often do not produce the content, so they cannot guarantee content accessibility. A truly accessible service requires everyone involved to consider accessibility: architects, designers, service designers, developers, testers, and content creators.
Official responsibility always lies with the service provider, not individual employees.
When issuing a tender, clearly specify the accessibility requirements of the service. WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the legal minimum. Even if accessibility is not legally required, you can request it from suppliers.
Clearly stating requirements ensures tenderers understand the level of accessibility expected in their proposals.
Before hiring a supplier, check their level of accessibility expertise.
Good indicators include:
While certification is helpful, it is not always necessary. The most important factor is whether the supplier has demonstrated accessibility knowledge and commitment in practice.