Creating and publishing the accessibility statement for the website
As part of the legal requirements for an accessible website, it is necessary to publish a current accessibility statement that is easily available to all visitors.
Below you’ll find guidance on how to write and publish your statement on your website.
Since there is no single standard format, certain elements must still be included. We recommend structuring your statement as follows:
Include an official declaration that your organisation is committed to complying with all applicable accessibility legislation and requirements.
Specify the accessibility standard you aim to follow (e.g. WCAG 2.1 Level AA) and indicate the current compliance status using one of the following:
Fully compliant
Partially compliant
Not compliant
Describe any content on your website that is currently not accessible and, if possible, explain why.
Outline what steps you are taking or planning to take to improve accessibility. Include a timeline where applicable.
Indicate when the statement was created, and when the website accessibility was last reviewed or updated. A typical requirement is to review the statement at least once per year.
Make sure visitors can easily reach you if they want to report accessibility issues or ask related questions. Provide a direct contact option (e.g. email address, phone number or contact form) and, if possible, mention a specific accessibility officer or team.
Depending on your church structure or denomination, provide information on how visitors can escalate complaints if they are not satisfied with your response. Mention the relevant authority or ombudsman responsible for dispute resolution.
Explain how your website’s accessibility was assessed – whether through self-evaluation or by a third party (e.g. ChurchDesk).
We recommend publishing your accessibility statement as a separate page on your website and linking to it clearly in the footer of all pages.
Below you’ll find guidance on how to write and publish your statement on your website.
Recommended content and structure of the accessibility statement
Since there is no single standard format, certain elements must still be included. We recommend structuring your statement as follows:
1. Statement of Commitment
Include an official declaration that your organisation is committed to complying with all applicable accessibility legislation and requirements.
2. Status of Accessibility & Conformance Standard Used
Specify the accessibility standard you aim to follow (e.g. WCAG 2.1 Level AA) and indicate the current compliance status using one of the following:
Fully compliant
Partially compliant
Not compliant
3. Non-Accessible Content / Known Limitations
Describe any content on your website that is currently not accessible and, if possible, explain why.
4. Explanation of Efforts for Accessibility / Planned Improvements
Outline what steps you are taking or planning to take to improve accessibility. Include a timeline where applicable.
5. Preparation Date and Last Update
Indicate when the statement was created, and when the website accessibility was last reviewed or updated. A typical requirement is to review the statement at least once per year.
6. Feedback Mechanism & Contact Information
Make sure visitors can easily reach you if they want to report accessibility issues or ask related questions. Provide a direct contact option (e.g. email address, phone number or contact form) and, if possible, mention a specific accessibility officer or team.
7. Enforcement Procedure
Depending on your church structure or denomination, provide information on how visitors can escalate complaints if they are not satisfied with your response. Mention the relevant authority or ombudsman responsible for dispute resolution.
8. Evaluation Method
Explain how your website’s accessibility was assessed – whether through self-evaluation or by a third party (e.g. ChurchDesk).
We recommend publishing your accessibility statement as a separate page on your website and linking to it clearly in the footer of all pages.
Updated on: 30/05/2025
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