How to Write an Accessibility Statement (Free Template)
What Is an Accessibility Statement?
An accessibility statement is a public document on your website that communicates your commitment to digital accessibility, describes the current accessibility status of your site, and provides information for users who encounter barriers. Under the European Accessibility Act and many national accessibility laws, publishing an accessibility statement is a key part of demonstrating compliance.
A well-written accessibility statement serves multiple purposes: it shows regulators that you take accessibility seriously, it provides transparency to users with disabilities, it gives users a way to report issues, and it documents your ongoing accessibility efforts.
What Should an Accessibility Statement Include?
Required Elements
Based on the EAA requirements and international best practices, your accessibility statement should include:
- Commitment statement: A clear declaration of your organization's commitment to accessibility
- Standard referenced: Which accessibility standard you are working toward (WCAG 2.1 Level AA)
- Conformance status: Your current level of conformance (full, partial, or non-conformant)
- Known limitations: Any areas of the site that are not yet fully accessible, with explanations
- Feedback mechanism: How users can report accessibility issues (email, phone, form)
- Response timeline: How quickly you will respond to accessibility feedback
- Enforcement procedure: Information about the relevant enforcement body users can contact if their complaint is not resolved
- Date: When the statement was last reviewed or updated
Recommended Additional Elements
- Description of accessibility features on your site
- Compatibility information (browsers, assistive technologies tested)
- Technologies used to build the site
- Assessment methodology (how you tested)
- Link to your most recent audit report
Free Accessibility Statement Template
Here is a template you can adapt for your website. Replace the bracketed text with your specific information:
Template
The following is a template — copy and adapt it for your website:
Accessibility Statement for [Your Company Name]
[Your Company Name] is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We continually improve the user experience for everyone and apply the relevant accessibility standards.
Conformance Status
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define 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. [Website URL] is [partially conformant / fully conformant] with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. [Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard.]
Accessibility Features
We have taken the following measures to ensure accessibility of [Website URL]:
- All images include alternative text descriptions
- The site is fully navigable using a keyboard
- We use semantic HTML for proper document structure
- Color contrast meets WCAG 2.1 AA requirements
- Forms include proper labels and error handling
- [Add other specific features]
Known Limitations
Despite our best efforts, some content may not yet be fully accessible. The following is a description of known limitations:
- [Description of limitation 1]: We are aware of this issue and are working to resolve it by [date].
- [Description of limitation 2]: [Explanation and expected resolution].
Feedback
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of [Website URL]. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers:
- Email: [accessibility email address]
- Phone: [phone number]
- [Contact form link if applicable]
We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within [X] business days.
Enforcement Procedure
If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact [relevant national enforcement body] at [contact details].
Technical Specifications
Accessibility of [Website URL] relies on the following technologies to work with the particular combination of web browser and assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, [WAI-ARIA]. These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used.
Assessment Approach
[Your Company Name] assessed the accessibility of [Website URL] by the following approaches: [automated testing using EAAPass / manual testing / external audit / user testing with assistive technologies].
This statement was last reviewed on [date].
Where to Place Your Accessibility Statement
Your accessibility statement should be easy to find. Best practices include:
- Footer link: Include an "Accessibility" or "Accessibility Statement" link in your site footer, visible on every page
- Dedicated page: Create a dedicated page at a predictable URL like /accessibility or /accessibility-statement
- Help or legal section: Include it alongside your privacy policy and terms of service
Keeping Your Statement Updated
An accessibility statement is not a static document. Update it whenever:
- You complete significant accessibility improvements
- New accessibility issues are identified
- Your website undergoes major changes or redesigns
- You receive accessibility feedback from users
- At minimum, review it annually
Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not claim full conformance if you are not: Claiming full WCAG 2.1 AA conformance when you have known issues can expose you to greater legal risk than being transparent about your status.
- Do not list the statement without providing contact information: The feedback mechanism is one of the most important parts of the statement.
- Do not use vague language: Be specific about what standards you are working toward and what limitations exist.
- Do not forget to update it: An accessibility statement with a date from three years ago signals that accessibility is not a priority.
Verify Your Accessibility Before Publishing
Before writing your accessibility statement, it helps to know exactly where your site stands. Run a comprehensive audit using EAAPass to identify your current conformance level, document known issues, and create a remediation plan. This ensures your accessibility statement accurately reflects your site's status.
Start your free accessibility audit with EAAPass and use the results to write an accurate, comprehensive accessibility statement.