Crafting a Comprehensive Accessibility Statement – A Best Practice Guide

Scope: Clearly define the scope of your accessibility statement. Specify which parts of your website are covered by the statement, such as the main content, navigation, and forms.

Commitment to Accessibility: State your organization’s commitment to accessibility and your ongoing efforts to improve the usability of your website for people with disabilities. Include specific goals or targets related to accessibility, such as aiming for WCAG Level AA compliance.

Conformance: Indicate the accessibility standards or guidelines your website aims to conform to. This might include the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, or other relevant standards.

Feedback Mechanism: Provide a clear and accessible way for users to report accessibility issues. This could be an email address, contact form, or a dedicated accessibility feedback page.

Regular Testing: Conduct regular accessibility audits to identify and address any barriers to usability. Consider using automated testing tools and involving people with disabilities in your testing process.

User Feedback: Actively seek feedback from users with disabilities to understand their experiences and identify areas for improvement. This can involve conducting user interviews, focus groups, or usability testing sessions.

Training and Education: Ensure that your team is trained on accessibility best practices and understands the importance of creating inclusive websites. Provide ongoing training and education to keep your team up-to-date on the latest accessibility guidelines and techniques.

Documentation: Maintain documentation of your accessibility efforts, including testing results, remediation activities, and training records. This documentation can be used to demonstrate your commitment to accessibility and to track your progress over time.

While the mandatory sections are essential, incorporating optional sections can further demonstrate your commitment to accessibility and provide additional information for users.

Accessibility Contact Information: Provide a specific contact person or department responsible for accessibility matters. This can help users reach out with questions or concerns.

Alternative Formats: Indicate if you offer alternative formats of your content, such as audio or braille, for users with specific needs. This can include information about how to request these alternative formats.

Accessibility Tools and Resources: List any assistive technologies or tools that you recommend or support for users with disabilities. This can help users find the resources they need to access your website.

Accessibility Policy: Outline your organization’s overall accessibility policy, including any additional commitments or initiatives related to accessibility. This can demonstrate your commitment to accessibility beyond your website and show that you are taking a holistic approach to inclusion.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1: https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: https://www.access-board.gov/about/policy/accessibility.html

U.S. Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/

By following these guidelines and incorporating both mandatory and optional sections, you can create a comprehensive accessibility statement that demonstrates your dedication to providing an inclusive digital experience for all users. Remember that accessibility is an ongoing process, and regular review and improvement are essential to ensure that your website remains accessible over time – check out our Digital Accessibility Services.