Accessibility Statement Template: WCAG 2.2 Compliance Documentation

An accessibility statement communicates your organization's accessibility commitment, current conformance status, and how users can get help. Required by some regulations and expected by users with disabilities, a good accessibility statement demonstrates transparency and provides essential information for those who need accommodations.

This guide provides a complete accessibility statement template with explanations, examples, and best practices.

Why Accessibility Statements Matter

Legal Requirements

Several regulations require accessibility statements:

European Accessibility Act (EAA): Requires detailed accessibility information for products and services.

EN 301 549: Specifies accessibility statement requirements for ICT in Europe.

ADA (Recommended): While not explicitly required, statements demonstrate good faith compliance efforts.

AODA (Ontario): Requires accessibility policies and statements.

User Benefits

Accessibility statements help users:

• Understand what accessibility features exist
• Know current limitations
• Find contact information for help
• Report issues effectively
• Make informed decisions about using the site

Organizational Benefits

Statements benefit organizations by:

• Demonstrating commitment to accessibility
• Reducing support inquiries
• Providing legal documentation
• Establishing feedback channels
• Building trust with users

Required Statement Elements

Core Components

Every accessibility statement should include:

1. Conformance Status What standard you're measuring against and your current level.

2. Scope What the statement covers (entire site, specific sections, applications).

3. Contact Information How users can reach you about accessibility.

4. Known Limitations Any content that doesn't fully conform and why.

5. Date When the statement was last updated.

Enhanced Components

Stronger statements also include:

• Evaluation methods used
• Compatibility information
• Remediation timeline
• Alternative access methods
• Feedback mechanism
• Enforcement procedure link (required in EU)

Accessibility Statement Template

Basic Template

# Accessibility Statement

## Our Commitment

[Organization Name] is committed to ensuring digital accessibility
for people with disabilities. We continually improve the user
experience for everyone and apply relevant accessibility standards.

## Conformance Status

This website conforms to [WCAG 2.2 Level AA / partial conformance /
non-conformance]. [Explain what this means briefly.]

## Scope

This statement applies to [website URL / specific sections /
applications covered].

## Feedback

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of [website/product].
Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers:

- Email: accessibility@example.com
- Phone: (555) 555-5555
- Contact form: [link]

We try to respond to feedback within [X business days].

## Technical Specifications

This website 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.

## Limitations and Alternatives

Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility, there may be some
limitations. Below is a description of known limitations and
potential solutions:

[List specific limitations, their causes, and workarounds]

## Assessment Approach

[Organization Name] assessed the accessibility of this website
using the following approach(es):

- [Self-evaluation / external audit / automated testing /
  user testing with assistive technologies]

## Date

This statement was created on [date] and last updated on [date].

Comprehensive Template

# Accessibility Statement for [Website Name]

## Commitment to Accessibility

[Organization Name] is committed to ensuring that our website is
accessible to people with disabilities. We are continually improving
the user experience for everyone by conforming to relevant
accessibility standards and guidelines.

## Standards Applied

This website aims to conform to the Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, Level AA. These guidelines explain how to
make web content more accessible for people with disabilities and
more user-friendly for everyone.

## Conformance Status

**Current Status:** Partially Conforming

The website partially conforms to WCAG 2.2 Level AA. "Partially
conforming" means that some parts of the content do not fully
conform to the accessibility standard.

We conduct regular accessibility audits and are actively working
to address identified issues.

## Scope

This accessibility statement applies to:
- Main website: www.example.com
- Customer portal: portal.example.com
- Mobile applications: [App Name] for iOS and Android

The following are not covered by this statement:
- Third-party content embedded in our site
- Legacy PDF documents created before [date]
- User-generated content

## Accessibility Features

We have implemented the following accessibility features:

**Navigation:**
- Skip navigation links to bypass repetitive content
- Consistent navigation across all pages
- Descriptive page titles and headings
- Breadcrumb navigation

**Content:**
- Alt text for meaningful images
- Captions for video content
- Transcripts for audio content
- Sufficient color contrast

**Functionality:**
- Full keyboard accessibility
- Visible focus indicators
- No time limits on content
- Error identification and suggestions

**Compatibility:**
- Compatible with major screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
- Works with voice recognition software
- Supports browser zoom up to 200%
- Responsive design for various devices

## Known Limitations

Despite our efforts, some content may have accessibility limitations:

| Content | Issue | Workaround | Remediation Timeline |
|---------|-------|------------|---------------------|
| Product comparison charts | Complex data tables may be difficult with screen readers | Contact us for accessible format | Q2 2025 |
| Legacy PDFs (pre-2020) | May not be fully tagged for accessibility | Request accessible version via email | Ongoing conversion |
| Interactive maps | Limited keyboard navigation | Text-based location finder available | Q3 2025 |
| Third-party payment form | Some form fields lack proper labels | Contact support for phone ordering | Working with vendor |

## Assistive Technology Compatibility

This website is designed to be compatible with:

**Screen Readers:**
- NVDA (Windows)
- JAWS (Windows)
- VoiceOver (macOS, iOS)
- TalkBack (Android)

**Other Assistive Technologies:**
- Voice recognition software (Dragon NaturallySpeaking)
- Screen magnification software
- Alternative keyboards and switch devices

**Browsers:**
- Chrome (latest two versions)
- Firefox (latest two versions)
- Safari (latest two versions)
- Edge (latest two versions)

## Assessment Methods

We assess our website's accessibility through:

1. **Automated Testing:** Regular scans using accessibility
   testing tools to identify technical issues

2. **Manual Testing:** Expert review of keyboard navigation,
   screen reader compatibility, and WCAG criteria

3. **User Testing:** Periodic testing with users who have
   disabilities and use assistive technologies

4. **Third-Party Audits:** Annual comprehensive audits by
   qualified accessibility specialists

Our most recent comprehensive audit was conducted in [Month Year]
by [Organization/Internal Team].

## Feedback and Contact

We welcome feedback on the accessibility of [Website Name].
Please contact us if you:

- Encounter any accessibility barriers
- Need content in an alternative format
- Have suggestions for improving accessibility
- Need assistance accessing any part of our site

**Accessibility Contact:**
- Email: accessibility@example.com
- Phone: (555) 555-5555 (voice) / (555) 555-5556 (TTY)
- Mail: [Physical address]
- Contact Form: [URL]

**Response Times:**
- Initial acknowledgment: Within 2 business days
- Substantive response: Within 10 business days
- Urgent requests: Same business day when possible

## Alternative Access

If you're unable to access any content on our website:

- Contact our accessibility team at accessibility@example.com
- Call our customer service at (555) 555-5555
- Request content in alternative formats:
  - Large print
  - Audio format
  - Plain text
  - Braille (allow additional time)

## Formal Complaints

If you're not satisfied with our response to your accessibility
feedback, you can escalate the issue:

**Internal Escalation:**
Email: accessibility-manager@example.com

**External Enforcement:** [If applicable]
[Link to relevant enforcement body, e.g., Office for Civil Rights]

## Additional Information

**Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR/VPAT):**
Available upon request at accessibility@example.com

**Accessibility Roadmap:**
We maintain an ongoing accessibility improvement plan. Major
initiatives include:
- Ongoing remediation of identified issues
- Staff accessibility training program
- Integration of accessibility into development processes
- Regular automated monitoring and testing

## Statement History

| Date | Change |
|------|--------|
| [Current date] | Updated conformance status, added new limitations |
| [Previous date] | Initial statement published |

---

This statement was last reviewed and updated on [Date].

Writing Effective Statements

Be Honest

Accuracy matters more than claiming perfection:

Good: "This website partially conforms to WCAG 2.2 Level AA. We have identified accessibility issues in our checkout process and are working to resolve them by Q2 2025."

Poor: "This website is fully accessible." (Unless verified by comprehensive audit)

Be Specific

Vague statements don't help users:

Good: "Our product comparison tables may be difficult to navigate with screen readers. For an accessible comparison, email accessibility@example.com with the products you'd like to compare, and we'll send you the information in an accessible format."

Poor: "Some content may not be fully accessible."

Provide Actionable Information

Help users solve problems:

Good: "To request an accessible version of any document:

1. Email accessibility@example.com
2. Include the document title and URL
3. Specify your preferred format (large print, audio, etc.)
4. We'll respond within 3 business days."

Poor: "Contact us for help with accessibility."

Update Regularly

Stale statements lose credibility:

• Review quarterly at minimum
• Update after major site changes
• Update after audits or remediation
• Date all updates

Statement Placement

Where to Put Your Statement

Common locations:

• Footer link (most common)
• Utility navigation
• About section
• Help/Support area

Naming conventions:

• "Accessibility"
• "Accessibility Statement"
• "Accessibility Policy"
• "Accessibility Information"

Example footer implementation:

<footer>
  <nav aria-label="Footer navigation">
    <ul>
      <li><a href="/privacy">Privacy Policy</a></li>
      <li><a href="/terms">Terms of Service</a></li>
      <li><a href="/accessibility">Accessibility</a></li>
      <li><a href="/contact">Contact Us</a></li>
    </ul>
  </nav>
</footer>

Accessibility of the Statement

Ensure your accessibility statement is itself accessible:

• Use proper heading hierarchy
• Maintain sufficient color contrast
• Make tables accessible
• Ensure links are descriptive
• Keep language clear and simple

Industry-Specific Considerations

E-Commerce

Include:

• Checkout process accessibility status
• Payment form compatibility
• Alternative ordering methods
• Product information accessibility

SaaS/Software

Include:

• Application accessibility features
• Keyboard shortcut documentation
• Screen reader compatibility details
• VPAT/ACR availability

Healthcare

Include:

• Patient portal accessibility
• HIPAA-compliant contact methods
• Accessible appointment scheduling
• Alternative communication options

Financial Services

Include:

• Online banking accessibility
• Document accessibility (statements, disclosures)
• Alternative transaction methods
• TTY/relay service information

Maintaining Your Statement

Review Schedule

| Frequency   | Action                                        |
|-------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| Monthly     | Check feedback inbox, minor updates           |
| Quarterly   | Review conformance status, update limitations |
| Bi-annually | Comprehensive review, audit results           |
| As needed   | Major site changes, new features              |

Change Documentation

Track what changed and when:

## Statement Changelog

### [Date]: Version 2.1
- Updated conformance status from "non-conforming" to "partially conforming"
- Removed limitation for video captions (resolved)
- Added new limitation for interactive charts
- Updated contact email address

### [Date]: Version 2.0
- Comprehensive rewrite to new template
- Added detailed limitations table
- Added assistive technology compatibility section

Taking Action

An accessibility statement demonstrates commitment, provides transparency, and helps users get the access they need. Use this template as a starting point, customize for your organization, and keep it updated as your accessibility improves.

TestParty provides the monitoring data needed to keep your accessibility statement accurate and current.

Schedule a TestParty demo and get a 14-day compliance implementation plan.

Related Resources

• VPAT Creation Guide
• WCAG 2.2 Level AA Checklist
• Accessibility Audit Guide
• EN 301 549 Compliance