Free Accessibility Statement Generator
Generate a professional, legally-sound accessibility statement for your website in under 60 seconds. No signup required. Just fill in your details, click generate, and copy the statement directly into your site.
What Is a Website Accessibility Statement?
A website accessibility statement is a formal document published on your website that communicates your organization's commitment to digital accessibility. It describes the accessibility standards your website follows, the current conformance status, any known limitations, and how users with disabilities can contact you to report issues or request assistance.
Think of it as a contract between your organization and your users. It tells visitors with disabilities that you take their experience seriously, that you are actively working to remove barriers, and that there is a clear pathway for them to get help when they encounter problems. An honest, well-written accessibility statement builds trust and demonstrates good faith, which matters both ethically and legally.
Why Your Website Needs an Accessibility Statement
There are three compelling reasons to publish an accessibility statement on your website: legal protection, regulatory compliance, and user trust.
Legal Protection
ADA website accessibility lawsuits exceeded 4,000 in 2024, a 37% increase from the previous year. When a business faces a demand letter or lawsuit, one of the first things attorneys examine is whether the organization demonstrated awareness of accessibility requirements. An accessibility statement, combined with evidence of ongoing remediation efforts, establishes a documented good faith effort. While a statement alone does not constitute a legal defense, courts have consistently considered demonstrated commitment to accessibility as a mitigating factor in settlement negotiations.
Regulatory Compliance
Under the European Union's Web Accessibility Directive, public sector organizations are required by law to publish an accessibility statement. The European Accessibility Act (EAA), which takes effect in June 2025, extends similar requirements to private sector businesses selling products and services in the EU. In the United States, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to publish accessibility conformance documentation. Even where a statement is not explicitly mandated, publishing one demonstrates compliance awareness that regulators view favorably.
User Trust and Experience
Over 1.3 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. When these users visit your website and encounter barriers, an accessibility statement tells them you are aware of the issue and working to fix it. It provides a direct channel for them to report problems and request assistance. Without a statement, users have no way to know whether barriers are the result of negligence or simply an oversight that is being addressed. The statement transforms a frustrating experience into one where the user feels heard and supported.
Before you write your accessibility statement, you need to know what issues exist on your site. Use the generator below, then scan your site with AccessScore to identify the specific WCAG violations you should address in your remediation plan.
Generate Your Accessibility Statement
Fill in your details below. All fields marked with * are required.
If you have conducted an accessibility audit, enter the date here. This adds an audit section to your statement.
List any known accessibility barriers on your site. Being transparent about limitations demonstrates good faith.
What to Include in an Accessibility Statement
A complete accessibility statement should contain several key components. The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) provides a model accessibility statement template that outlines the recommended structure. Our generator follows these guidelines and includes the following sections:
Commitment Statement
A clear declaration that your organization is committed to making the website accessible to people with disabilities. This sets the tone and intent.
Conformance Standard
Which accessibility standard you are targeting (WCAG 2.1 AA, WCAG 2.2 AA, or Section 508) and your current level of conformance.
Measures Taken
Specific steps your organization takes to maintain accessibility: training, testing processes, development practices, and quality assurance methods.
Known Limitations
Honest disclosure of any known accessibility barriers, with an explanation of why they exist and when you plan to resolve them.
Feedback Mechanism
Clear contact information (email, phone, form) where users can report accessibility issues and request assistance.
Technical Specifications
The technologies your site relies on and the browsers and assistive technologies it is designed to work with.
Legal Requirements for Accessibility Statements
The legal landscape for web accessibility is evolving rapidly. Understanding the requirements in your jurisdiction is essential for compliance.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA does not explicitly require an accessibility statement. However, the Department of Justice published a final rule in April 2024 (28 CFR Part 35) requiring state and local governments to make their websites accessible to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. For private businesses, courts have consistently held that websites are "places of public accommodation" under Title III. While there is no specific mandate for a statement, having one demonstrates proactive compliance effort. In the event of a demand letter or lawsuit, a well-maintained accessibility statement combined with documented remediation efforts can serve as evidence of good faith, which courts and plaintiffs' attorneys weigh during settlement negotiations.
European Accessibility Act (EAA)
The European Accessibility Act takes effect on June 28, 2025, and applies to private sector businesses that provide products and services within the EU, including websites, mobile applications, e-commerce platforms, banking services, and transportation ticketing. The act requires businesses to make their digital products accessible and to provide documentation of their conformance status. An accessibility statement is a practical way to satisfy this documentation requirement. Businesses that fail to comply face penalties that vary by member state but can include fines and restrictions on market access.
EU Web Accessibility Directive
Since September 2020, the EU Web Accessibility Directive has required all public sector websites and mobile applications in EU member states to publish a detailed accessibility statement. The directive specifies the content the statement must include: conformance status, inaccessible content with explanations, the date of the assessment, the assessment method used, and a feedback mechanism with a link to the national enforcement body. This is the most prescriptive requirement globally and serves as a useful template for all organizations, regardless of jurisdiction.
Section 508 (United States Federal Government)
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Federal agencies are required to publish Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) using the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT). While Section 508 applies directly to federal agencies, it also affects any vendor that sells technology products or services to the federal government, making VPAT documentation a de facto requirement for government contractors.
Where to Put Your Accessibility Statement
The placement of your accessibility statement directly affects its usefulness and legal weight. Here are the recommended practices:
- Website footer: Place a link to your accessibility statement in your site-wide footer. This ensures it is accessible from every page on your website. Use clear link text such as "Accessibility" or "Accessibility Statement." Avoid vague labels like "Legal" or burying it inside a submenu.
- Dedicated page: Create a standalone page at a predictable URL such as
/accessibilityor/accessibility-statement. This makes it easy for users and auditors to find directly. - Legal section: Link to the accessibility statement from your Terms of Service and Privacy Policy pages, as users with disabilities often check these areas for accessibility information.
- Contact page: Mention your commitment to accessibility on your contact page and link to the full statement, so users who are already seeking help can find accessibility-specific information easily.
How Often to Update Your Accessibility Statement
An accessibility statement is a living document, not a one-time deliverable. Outdated statements undermine trust and can create legal risk if they claim conformance that no longer reflects the actual state of your website. Follow these guidelines for keeping your statement current:
- Annual review (minimum): Even if nothing has changed, review your statement annually to confirm it still accurately represents your website's accessibility status. Update the "last reviewed" date.
- After every audit: Whenever you conduct an accessibility audit (automated or manual), update your statement with the new audit date, any newly discovered limitations, and any issues that have been resolved since the last update.
- After major site changes: A website redesign, new feature launch, platform migration, or CMS upgrade can introduce new accessibility issues. Update your statement to reflect the current state and note that testing is underway.
- After resolving reported issues: When a user reports an accessibility barrier and you fix it, update your statement to remove it from the known limitations list. This demonstrates responsiveness.
- When regulations change: As new accessibility laws take effect (such as the EAA in 2025), review your statement to ensure it references the correct standards and requirements.
Common Mistakes in Accessibility Statements
Many organizations publish accessibility statements that are ineffective, misleading, or counterproductive. Avoid these common pitfalls:
Claiming full conformance without evidence
Stating that your website "fully conforms" to WCAG 2.1 AA when you have never conducted an audit is a false claim. If a user or plaintiff can easily find violations, this statement becomes evidence of negligence rather than good faith. Only claim conformance levels you can support with audit documentation.
Using an inaccessible statement page
If your accessibility statement page itself has accessibility issues (poor contrast, missing labels, keyboard traps), it undermines your credibility entirely. Ensure the statement page is one of the most accessible pages on your site.
Providing no contact information
A statement without a feedback mechanism is incomplete. Users need a way to report issues they encounter. Include at least an email address, and respond to reports within a reasonable timeframe (2-5 business days).
Using generic boilerplate without customization
A generic statement that could apply to any website provides minimal legal protection and zero user value. Customize your statement with specific details about your testing methods, audit dates, known issues, and remediation plans.
Never updating the statement
A statement dated three years ago suggests your organization stopped caring about accessibility. Keep the date current and the content accurate. An outdated statement is worse than no statement in many legal contexts.
Hiding the statement in obscure locations
If users cannot find your accessibility statement, it serves no practical purpose. Place it in the footer of every page with clear, descriptive link text.
Scan Your Website Before Writing Your Statement
An accessibility statement is only as credible as the effort behind it. Before publishing your statement, you need to understand the actual accessibility status of your website. Claiming conformance without evidence creates legal risk. Identifying real issues and documenting them honestly demonstrates genuine commitment to accessibility.
Know what to put in your statement
AccessScore scans your website for WCAG 2.1 violations in seconds and identifies the specific issues you should address. Use the scan results to accurately fill in your accessibility statement's conformance status and known limitations sections.
The professional report includes an executive summary, full issue inventory, remediation timeline, and compliance dashboard -- ready to share with your team or legal counsel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a website accessibility statement?
A website accessibility statement is a public declaration that describes your organization's commitment to digital accessibility, the standards you follow (such as WCAG 2.1 AA), the current conformance status of your website, known limitations, and how users can report accessibility issues. It serves as both a legal document and a communication tool that builds trust with users who have disabilities.
Is an accessibility statement legally required?
It depends on your jurisdiction and sector. In the European Union, accessibility statements are legally required for public sector websites under the Web Accessibility Directive, and the European Accessibility Act extends requirements to the private sector starting June 2025. In the United States, the ADA does not explicitly require a statement, but having one demonstrates good faith compliance effort. Section 508 requires federal agencies to document accessibility conformance.
Where should I put my accessibility statement on my website?
Place a link to your accessibility statement in your website footer so it is accessible from every page. Use clear link text such as "Accessibility" or "Accessibility Statement." Create a dedicated page at a predictable URL like /accessibility. Also consider linking to it from your Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Contact pages.
How often should I update my accessibility statement?
Review your accessibility statement at least once per year. Update it immediately after conducting a new accessibility audit, making significant website changes, resolving known limitations, or receiving user feedback about new barriers. An outdated statement can be more damaging than no statement at all.
Can I use a generated accessibility statement as-is?
A generated statement provides a strong, legally-informed starting point. However, you should review and customize it to accurately reflect your specific organization's accessibility efforts, testing methods, and current conformance status. The statement should be truthful. Making false claims about conformance can create legal liability rather than protection.
Related Accessibility Resources
ADA Compliance Checker
Free automated ADA compliance scanning for your website with legal risk assessment.
Accessibility Checklist
Complete WCAG 2.1 AA checklist for 2026 with actionable items and priority ratings.
WCAG Checker
Test your website against WCAG 2.1 Level AA success criteria with detailed results.
ADA Compliance Cost Guide
Understand the true costs of ADA compliance versus the cost of non-compliance.
This accessibility statement generator creates template text based on your inputs and widely accepted accessibility statement practices recommended by the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. The generated text is not legal advice. Consult with a qualified attorney or accessibility professional to ensure your statement meets the specific requirements applicable to your organization, jurisdiction, and industry.