GDS

We raised the need for all public sector websites and mobile apps to be made accessible a couple of years back. The regulations came into force last year and we are fast approaching the first deadline

The full name of the regulations is the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

 

New websites

If you create a new public sector website on or after 23 September 2018, you need to meet accessibility standards and publish an accessibility statement by 23 September 2019.

Existing websites

Most existing websites that were published before 23 September 2018 need to comply with the 2018 regulations by 23 September 2020.

Balanced approach

You may not have to meet the requirements for your whole website or app if doing so would be a disproportionate burden - for example, if it’s very expensive to make even simple changes and those changes would bring very limited benefits to people with a disability.

Mobile apps

Accessibility requirements apply in the same way as websites for new, existing or outsourced apps, but the deadline for meeting them is 23 June 2021.

Summarised from GDS blogs and GOV.UK website

 

Accessibility Statements 

In parallel you must have an Accessibility Statement clearly published on your site, and regularly updated, explaining what is and is not accessible, how you deliver the service when it isn't and what (and when) you are doing to change any in-accessible area.

This is probably the quickest, easiest part. Fortunately GDS have drawn up a good template as a starting point that you can download here.

 

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