About This Template
This accessibility statement template helps organizations communicate their commitment to digital accessibility and compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). It is suitable for websites and web applications that aim to meet WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 conformance levels and applicable accessibility legislation such as the ADA, Section 508, or the European Accessibility Act.
Disclaimer: This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney and accessibility specialist to ensure your statement meets all applicable legal requirements.
Template Sections
Section 1: Commitment to Accessibility
Open with a clear statement of your organization's commitment to digital inclusion.
Suggested text:
[Your Company Name] is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards to guarantee we provide equal access to all users. We believe that every person deserves full and equal access to digital content and functionality, regardless of disability or the assistive technology used to access the internet.
Section 2: Conformance Status
Declare the level of WCAG conformance your website currently meets.
Suggested text:
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. The [Your Company Name] website is [partially conformant / fully conformant] with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. [Partially conformant / Fully conformant] means that [some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard / the content fully conforms to the accessibility standard without any exceptions].
Conformance levels explained:
- Level A: The most basic web accessibility features are addressed
- Level AA: The most common barriers for disabled users are addressed
- Level AAA: The highest and most complex level of web accessibility is addressed
- Partial conformance: Some areas may not yet meet the stated conformance level
Section 3: Technical Specifications
Describe the technologies and standards your website relies on for accessibility.
Suggested text:
Accessibility of the [Your Company Name] website relies on the following technologies to work with the particular combination of web browsers and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer:
- HTML
- WAI-ARIA
- CSS
- JavaScript
These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used.
Supported assistive technologies:
- Screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack)
- Screen magnification software
- Speech recognition software
- Keyboard-only navigation
- Switch devices and alternative input methods
Section 4: Known Limitations
Transparently disclose any known accessibility issues and the steps being taken to address them.
Suggested text:
Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility of the [Your Company Name] website, there may be some limitations. Below is a description of known limitations and potential solutions. Please contact us if you observe an issue not listed below.
Known limitations:
- Uploaded images: User-uploaded images may not have appropriate alternative text. We are working to enforce alt text requirements on all uploads and will provide a remediation timeline.
- Third-party content: Some embedded third-party content (videos, maps, widgets) may not be fully accessible. We are actively working with our vendors to improve compatibility.
- Legacy PDF documents: Some older PDF documents may not be fully accessible. We are converting these documents to accessible formats on a rolling basis.
- Complex data visualizations: Interactive charts and graphs are being enhanced with text-based alternatives and ARIA labels.
Section 5: Feedback and Reporting
Provide a clear process for users to report accessibility barriers.
Suggested text:
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of the [Your Company Name] website. If you encounter accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:
- Email: [accessibility@yourcompany.com]
- Phone: [+1 (XXX) XXX-XXXX]
- Mailing address: [Your Company Address]
- Response time: We aim to acknowledge accessibility feedback within [2] business days and provide a resolution or plan of action within [10] business days.
What to include in your report:
- A description of the accessibility issue you encountered
- The URL or page where the issue occurred
- The browser and assistive technology you were using
- Any screenshots or additional context that may help us identify the issue
Section 6: Assessment Approach
Describe how your organization evaluates and maintains accessibility.
Suggested text:
[Your Company Name] assesses the accessibility of the website through the following methods:
- Self-evaluation: Internal team reviews using automated testing tools and manual testing procedures
- External audit: Periodic third-party accessibility audits conducted by certified accessibility professionals
- User testing: Usability testing sessions with participants who use assistive technologies
- Continuous monitoring: Automated accessibility scanning integrated into our development and deployment pipeline
Assessment frequency:
- Automated scans run on every code deployment
- Manual accessibility reviews conducted quarterly
- Comprehensive third-party audits conducted annually
- User testing sessions conducted semi-annually
Section 7: Applicable Standards and Legislation
Reference the accessibility standards and laws your organization follows.
Suggested text:
This accessibility statement applies to the [Your Company Name] website at [https://yourwebsite.com]. The following standards and legislation inform our accessibility efforts:
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
- European Accessibility Act (EAA)
- EN 301 549 (European standard for digital accessibility)
Section 8: Contact Information
Provide dedicated contact details for accessibility-related inquiries.
If you have any questions about this Accessibility Statement or need assistance accessing content on our website, please contact us at: [accessibility@yourcompany.com], call us at [+1 (XXX) XXX-XXXX], or write to [Your Company Address]. For issues that cannot be resolved through our feedback process, you may contact [relevant government enforcement body] for further assistance.
How to Use This Template
- Download the template using the link above
- Replace all placeholder text (indicated by square brackets) with your organization's specific information
- Conduct an accessibility audit to accurately describe your current conformance status and known limitations
- Publish the statement as a dedicated page on your website linked from the footer of every page
- Review and update the statement at least annually or after significant website changes and accessibility audits