Why You Should Have an Accessibility Statement, Even If Your Site Isn’t Perfect

Some of our clients assume that accessibility statements confirm that their site is fully accessible. It’s easy to understand that conclusion, “statement” sounds like a confirmation, right? However, we actually recommend creating your statement as one of your first steps on your roadmap to compliance. Here’s why.

Progress Over Perfection

It might be helpful to think of an accessibility statement as an accessibility commitment. By establishing an accessibility page and statement on your page, you’re signifying to the public that you’re progressing toward an accessible site. Of course, you need actually to take some steps. One of the actions we recommend is to identify an Accessibility Advocate to manage requests and outreach. Giving your users a contact point and avenue to address accessibility issues.

Reporting Barriers

Give your audience a familiar avenue to report accessibility barriers. (And respond!) If someone cannot request accommodations or report barriers, that’s a problem. You’re ignoring a part of your audience, which can feel dehumanizing. Even if it’s not intentional.

Establish Your Solid Base

The good news is establishing an accessibility page and statement is not as hard as it may sound. Many online tools, including our Accessibility Statement Generator, give you a framework to begin the process. Once you build that foundation you can show off your accessibility work publically as you improve your platform. Accessible Web RAMP has loads of tools to help you with this progress, from finding issues to documenting fixes.

Want to learn more? Join our upcoming webinar: Creating an Accessibility Page and Statement