How to write an accessibility statement
An accessibility statement is a short page, usually linked in the footer, that says which standard you follow, how far you have got, what is still broken and how people can reach you.
Why you need one
The European Accessibility Act requires service providers to explain how their service meets the accessibility requirements, and online stores usually do this with an accessibility statement. The ADA does not require a statement, but settlements often include one, and a statement with a working feedback channel shows the problem is being handled.
What to include
- Target standard: WCAG 2.1 AA
- Current status: fully conformant, partially conformant or in progress
- Known issues and when you expect to fix them
- What you do: regular testing, manual testing, staff training
- How to report problems and how fast you reply
- Date of the last update
Template
Replace the bracketed text. For EU storefronts, add a version in the local language.
Accessibility Statement for [Brand]
[Brand] is committed to making [example.com] usable for everyone,
including people with disabilities.
Standard
We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
Level AA.
Status
[example.com] is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 AA. Partially
conformant means some parts of the content do not yet fully conform.
Known issues
- [Some older product videos do not have captions. We expect to add
them by [month year].]
What we do
- We test the site with automated tools and by hand with a keyboard
and screen readers.
- We review new product pages and campaigns before they go live.
Feedback
If you have trouble using any part of this site, email
[accessibility@example.com]. We reply within [2 business days].
This statement was last updated on [date].Common mistakes
- Claiming full conformance when the site clearly has issues
- Using a statement generated by an overlay that does not match the site
- No feedback channel, or an inbox nobody reads
- Never updating it
Questions
Does an accessibility statement work as a disclaimer?
No. It describes status and plans. If the site has barriers, the statement does not stop complaints or lawsuits.
Where should it go?
Link it in the footer as "Accessibility", next to the privacy and returns policies.
Do we need it in several languages?
Use the language of each market you sell to. EU storefronts should have a local-language version.
Sources
- EUR-Lex: Directive (EU) 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act)
- W3C: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
This article summarises technical requirements and public data. It is not legal advice; for legal obligations and lawsuits, consult a qualified attorney.