If your public agency is working toward ADA digital accessibility compliance, you need an accessibility statement. It’s not just a best practice – it’s one of the most important ways to demonstrate your commitment to inclusion, transparency, and compliance with federal standards.
But what should your accessibility statement actually say? What format should it follow? And how do you make sure it’s usable, accurate, and appropriate for your agency?
This post will walk you through the essentials and provide a customizable template you can adapt for your website.
Why You Need an Accessibility Statement
An accessibility statement does three key things:
- Affirms your agency’s commitment to providing accessible digital content
- Helps users understand what standards you’re working toward
- Offers a clear way for users to report accessibility barriers or request accommodations
It builds trust, supports legal compliance, and creates a better user experience for everyone.
Where to Post It
Your accessibility statement should be:
- Linked in the footer of every page on your website
- Written in plain language
- Itself fully accessible
- Easy to find using assistive technologies
If your agency has multiple websites or subdomains, each should include its own accessibility statement or link back to a central version.
What to Include in Your Statement
Here’s what your accessibility statement should cover:
- Your agency’s name and commitment to accessibility
- The standard you are aiming to meet (WCAG 2.1 Level AA is now the standard for all public entities)
- Ongoing efforts and any known limitations (honesty builds trust)
- Contact information for reporting issues or requesting accommodations
- Expected timeline for response to questions and comments
- Date of last update
The tone should be clear, welcoming, and direct. Avoid legalese. Your goal is to support users, not scare them away.
Accessibility Statement Template for Public Agencies
Here’s a customizable template you can use as a starting point:
Accessibility Statement
[Agency Name] is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are actively working to meet the standards set forth in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards as part of our ongoing website and content updates.
Known Accessibility Issues
We recognize that some older documents or pages may not yet meet accessibility standards. We are in the process of reviewing and remediating this content. If you encounter an issue, please let us know so we can address it promptly.
Feedback and Support
If you have trouble accessing any part of our digital content or would like to request an accommodation, please contact us:
- Email: [insert contact email]
- Phone: [insert phone number]
- Mailing Address: [insert mailing address]
We aim to respond to feedback and requests within [insert response timeframe, e.g. 5 business days].
Date of Last Update: [insert date]
Tips for Customizing Your Statement
- Use your agency’s official contact information that is actively monitored.
- Be honest about where you are in your accessibility journey. It’s okay to be in progress, as long as you’re making good-faith efforts.
- If you use a contact form, make sure the form itself is accessible.
- If you provide public documents, link to your document remediation policy if available.
- Keep the language welcoming. Avoid technical jargon or overly formal language.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Hiding the statement deep in your site structure
- Making the contact process inaccessible (e.g. using a non-labeled form or only providing a PDF)
- Failing to update it regularly
- Providing unrealistic promises (“Our site is 100% accessible at all times”)
A good accessibility statement reflects not just where you are, but where you’re going. It signals to your community that accessibility is not an afterthought, but a core value.
Final Word
Your accessibility statement is one of the simplest, most powerful tools you can use to show your agency’s commitment to equity and inclusion. With a clear, honest, and user-friendly statement in place, you’re not only meeting federal expectations, you’re showing your community that every resident matters.
Need help writing, reviewing, or auditing your accessibility statement? I offer consulting and copywriting support for public agencies looking to meet ADA digital accessibility standards with confidence. Schedule a free 30-minute consultation.
