Writing an Accessibility Statement

Insert the name of your organisation in the square brackets.

Add or remove text for website or mobile applications as appropriate

Insert the scope of the accessibility statement, e.g. website(s)/mobile application(s) to which the statement applies.

Use this if your website mobile app is fully compliant with all level AA Success Criteria from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1

Use this if your website or mobile app does not meet all level AA Success Criteria from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1. You can provide a list of the content and features that are not accessible or are exempt later in the accessibility Statement.

Use this if your website or mobile app does not meet any level AA Success Criteria from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1.

This should be included in all Accessibility Statements unless the public body is confident it reaches conformance rating AA with WCAG 2.1.

Choose the appropriate reason below from:

A) Non-compliance;

B) Disproportionate Burden;

C) Out of scope.

Choose the appropriate reason

Describe in non-technical terms, as far as possible, how and why the content is not accessible, including reference to the

applicable requirements in the relevant standards and/or technical specifications that are not met; e.g.:

‘The login form is not fully usable by a keyboard’

The 2020 Regulations require that a public sector body claiming disproportionate burden for making the content accessible in accordance with the accessibility requirements “shall carry out an assessment of the extent to which compliance with those accessibility requirements would impose on it such a burden.” This assessment shall include:

“(a) the size, resources and nature of the public sector body concerned;

(b) the estimated costs and benefits for the public sector body concerned in relation to the estimated benefits for persons with disabilities, taking into account the frequency and duration of use of the websites or mobile applications concerned.”

Where possible and appropriate, accessible alternatives must be provided.

List the non-accessible section contents or functions of the website or mobile app which are out of scope of the applicable legislation. Indicate accessible alternatives where appropriate.

Insert date of the first preparation, or a subsequent update, of the accessibility statement following an evaluation of the websites/mobile applications to which it applies. It is recommended that an evaluation is carried out and the statement updated following a substantial revision of the website/mobile application.

Indicate the method used to prepare the statement. This could be a self-assessment conducted by the public sector body or an assessment carried out by a third party. See the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design’s guidance on Web accessibility auditing

It is recommended that the claims made in the accessibility statement are reviewed as regards their accuracy on a regular basis, and at least once per year. If such a review has taken place without a full evaluation of the website/mobile app, whether or not such a review has led to any changes in the accessibility statement, please indicate the date of the last such review.

The Accessibility Statement must provide contact details to allow a member of the public to:

• Notify the public body of any accessibility failures they encounter
• Request information about or assistance with accessing any content or functionality that is inaccessible

This could be a feedback form, email address, telephone number or other contact details. Ensure that the choice of feedback channels enable the widest range of people possible to communicate with the public sector body.

This could include the Access Office as designated under Section 26 “Access to services” of the Disability Act 2005, the person/unit in charge of maintaining the website, or the communications unit.

The 2020 Regulations state that enforcement procedure is to be “used in the case of unsatisfactory responses to any notification or request sent in accordance with Article 7(4)(c) of the 2020 Regulations

Section 38 of the Disability Act says a person, or a specified person may make a complaint in writing to the head of a public body if that body is not following the law as outlined in sections 25, 26, 27, 28 or 29 of the Act.

Office of the Ombudsman:

• Contact information
• Advice on making a complaint under the Disability Act

Workplace Relations Commission:

• Contact information

Advice on making a complaint under the Equal Status Act