Creating Web Accessibility Statements: How To Guide

Since 2017 when I originally wrote this post about web accessibility statements, the awareness of the legal requirements, ethical responsibilities and business opportunities of web accessibility have grown enormously. Because web accessibility is not just about avoiding the rising tide of web accessibility lawsuits (over 4,600 filed in 2023 alone), it's about tapping into a market with $490 billion in annual disposable income of not only people with disabilities but senior as well, attracting top talent who either have a disability or care to work for a company who values inclusivity, and aligning your company's values with those of your customers. Your web accessibility statement is more than a compliance checkbox—it's a public commitment to inclusivity and a smart business move. In this guide, we'll show you how to craft a statement that not only helps with ADA compliance but also turns accessibility into a competitive advantage. Ready to make your website work for everyone?

Understanding Web Accessibility Statements and Their Role in ADA Compliance

A web accessibility statement is a public declaration of your commitment to making your website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities and seniors. Don’t forget Seniors!. This statement plays a significant role in demonstrating your efforts towards ADA compliance for your website.

Hopefully you’ve followed best practices adhering to the most recent version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. This is the de facto international standard for web accessibility compliance regardless of whether we’re looking at US laws (ADA, Sect 508, and state laws) or those abroad - the European Accessibility Act in particular which goes into effect June 28, 2025. Your goal should be WCAG 2.2 A, AA. 

Web Accessibility Policy vs. Statement: What's the Difference?

While often used interchangeably, these terms have distinct meanings:

• A web accessibility policy is typically an internal document outlining your organization's goals and processes for achieving digital accessibility.
• Anweb accessibility statement is a public-facing document that communicates your commitment, current level of accessibility, and how users can get assistance if needed.

Both are important, but the public-facing statement is crucial.

How to Assess WCAG Compliance

In order to credibly author an accessibility statement, you must of course know whether and to what extent your website is WCAG compliant. Here, automated testing tools do not cut it. Regardless of what some may claim and the number of times “AI” is repeated, currently the best software can only detect roughly 40% of WCAG issues. Therefore you can only know the extent of your compliance by having your site audited by a qualified accessibility expert. (hint)

Key Messages Your Accessibility Statement Should Communicate

1. Your commitment to following WCAG guidelines

2. How you measure and maintain accessibility

3. Any areas where you might not yet meet these standards

4. How to contact you to provide accessibility feedback or assistance.

For example a very basic statement might read:

"We strive to adhere to current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level AA standards in our ongoing effort to provide an accessible website for all users. We have partnered with the accessibility consultancy (Accessibility.Works ;), who has conducted a comprehensive manual audit, from which remediation and verification has been completed. We do use third party widgets on our site which are not all 100% compliant, and we are actively working with these providers to improve their accessibility. If you have any feedback or need to reach us please call (xxx) xxx-xxxx or email accessibility@company.com.”

And note here, that it is a very good idea to direct such a communication to someone trained to receive it, and not your frontline customer service team.

Website Accessibility Best Practices for Creating Your Statement

When crafting your website accessibility compliance statement, consider these best practices:

1. Be Clear and Concise: Use plain language that's easy for all users to understand.
2. State Your Commitment: Clearly express your dedication to digital accessibility.
3. Provide Contact Information: Offer multiple ways for users to reach out if they encounter accessibility issues.
4. Be Honest About Limitations: If parts of your site aren't fully accessible yet, acknowledge this and outline your plan for improvement.
5. Update Regularly: Review and update your statement as your accessibility efforts progress.

Accessibility Statement Template: Key Components

While every website's needs are unique, here's a basic accessibility statement template to get you started:

1. Commitment Statement: "We are committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities and Seniors."
2. Standards Adherence: "We are continually improving the user experience for everyone by adhering to the current version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines."
3. Known Limitations: "Some older or third party content or features may not be fully accessible. We are working to address these issues."
4. Establish Credibility: “We have partnered with the accessibility experts at Accessibility.Works who has conducted a comprehensive audit of our website”
5. Contact Information: "If you encounter any accessibility barriers on our site, please contact us [provide multiple contact methods]."
6. Ongoing Efforts: "We conduct ongoing website accessibility audits and provide regular training to our staff on digital accessibility."

And for extra credit, have a VPAT authored for you and add that to your accessibility statement. What is a VPAT? A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template is a report that documents the accessibility of a website (or SaaS or App). These were developed by the US Government as a standard for procurement and compliance of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. More about VPATS 

Web Accessibility Statement Examples

One that I like is Capital One's accessibility commitment statement. It's very simple. In reviewing many of these statements, too often companies get into the nitty gritty of spec versions, testing tools used, frequency of auditing, and such. Don't do that. That may increase exposure.

Capital One simply starts by saying that they're committed to following WCAG and ARIA specifications. Note they don't state what version or level they’re aiming for… just “.We follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and use Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) specifications.” Then, how to get in touch with them. Finally, they show off their goodwill toward people with disabilities - actions speak louder than words. Simple.

Additional Examples of Website Accessibility Statements

• Chipotle - also states that they are using an independent accessibility consultant to perform periodic audits (fantastic idea)
• LL Bean - standard
• Community America Credit Union - interesting note about 3rd party vendors.
• Nature.com - interesting that it includes a VPAT statement. The Voluntary Produce Accessibility Template is a format for documenting the accessibility of a website/mobile app or SaaS.

Side Tangent: Beware of Overlays and Automated Testing or Remediation Tools

If you are or are considering using what is called an accessibility overlay widget, reconsider right now. Despite the claims of almost all, they do not provide what they claim. They do not fix the underlying code. They do not ensure ADA or WCAG compliance. They do not protect you from lawsuits - in fact, last year 30% of all lawsuits targeted websites using an overlay. So beware.

Overlays and all software systems for testing or remediation are incredibly limited. Even the best can only detect roughly 40% of WCAG issues at best. So beware.

Implementing Your Web Accessibility Statement

Once you've crafted your statement:

1. Place it prominently on your website, typically in the footer alongside your privacy policy.
2. Make darn sure the page containing your statement is itself fully accessible. It's really not uncommon for there to be glaring barriers on this page.

3. Review and update your statement regularly, at least annually or whenever significant changes are made to your website.

Wrap It Up

Creating a comprehensive web accessibility statement is a crucial step in your journey towards digital inclusivity and ADA compliance. It communicates your commitment to all users, provides necessary information for those who need it, and can potentially mitigate legal risks.

Remember, web accessibility is an ongoing process. Regularly review and update your practices, your website, and your accessibility statement to ensure you're meeting the needs of all your users and staying compliant with evolving standards like WCAG 2.2.

For more information or assistance with web accessibility consulting, audits, or remediation guidance, please don't hesitate to contact us.

*Disclaimer: Accessibility.Works is not a law firm, and the information provided in this blog post does not constitute legal advice. This content is for informational purposes only. For legal guidance regarding web accessibility and ADA compliance, please consult with a qualified attorney.*