Website Accessibility for Local Councils: Understanding Accessibility Regulations for Public Sector Websites and Apps
In today's digital age, accessibility is crucial for ensuring inclusivity and equal access to information. Public sector bodies, including parish and town councils, are required to comply with accessibility regulations to accommodate individuals with disabilities. This article aims to provide a summary of the guidance provided by the UK government regarding accessibility requirements for public sector websites and apps.
Accessibility Regulations Overview:
The accessibility regulations, which stem from the Equality Act 2010, mandate that all UK service providers, including parish and town councils, must consider 'reasonable adjustments' for individuals with disabilities. Common issues include mobile-unfriendly websites, inaccessible PDF forms, and poor colour contrast, particularly affecting visually impaired individuals.
Steps to Ensure Compliance:
1. Website Evaluation: Begin by assessing your website or mobile app for accessibility issues.
2. Action Plan: Develop a plan to address any identified accessibility issues.
3. Publish Accessibility Statement: Communicate the accessibility status of your website or app through a published accessibility statement.
4. Ensure Accessibility of New Features: Consistently prioritize accessibility when introducing new content or features.
Making Your Website Compliant:
Conduct a thorough assessment of your website's accessibility.
If lacking internal expertise, consider hiring a third party for a detailed audit.
Alternatively, involve volunteers with basic web knowledge to assist in accessibility checks.
Accessibility Statement Guidelines:
Detail the compliance level of your website or app.
Specify inaccessible areas and reasons, if applicable.
Provide alternatives for inaccessible content.
Include contact information for reporting accessibility issues.
Link to the accessibility statement prominently on the website or app.
Ensuring Accessibility of New Features:
Maintain accessibility standards for all new content and features.
Pay attention to document accessibility, link text, content structure, and multimedia accessibility.
Test new features on assistive technologies to ensure compatibility.
Disproportionate Burden Considerations:
Some organizations may find fully meeting accessibility standards to be a disproportionate burden.
Consider factors such as organization size, resources, cost, and benefits of accessibility improvements.
Document assessments and rationale for claiming disproportionate burden in the accessibility statement.
Examples of Disproportionate Burden:
Budget limitations preventing comprehensive accessibility upgrades.
Low-cost changes with significant accessibility benefits may not qualify as a disproportionate burden.
Ensuring accessibility compliance for public sector websites and apps is essential for fostering inclusivity and meeting legal obligations. By following the guidance provided and prioritizing accessibility improvements, organizations can create digital environments that accommodate individuals of all abilities.