Creating an accessible e-commerce experience is not just good practice; it’s essential for reaching every customer. Accessibility helps you include everyone, from users using a screen reader to those who rely on keyboard navigate or speech recognition software.
Ensuring your website meets accessibility standards like the web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) is key to offering an inclusive shopping environment and avoiding accessibility issues.
An inclusion statement is important for legal compliance, inclusivity, and enhancing your brand reputation. It communicates your commitment to digital accessibility and clarifies your compliance status, explaining any non-accessible content and your plans to address it.
This statement also supports screen reader users and those using assistive technology to navigate your site effectively. Ultimately, it builds trust and shows that your web pages cater to everyone, regardless of their device or abilities.
What are Accessibility Statements?
An accessibility statement explains how accessible your website is to people using assistive technology like screen readers or speech recognition apps. It outlines the site’s compliance status with accessibility regulations and details any non-accessible content. It also explains how you aim to improve accessibility and resolve accessibility problems.
For e-commerce websites, an inclusion statement is crucial. It shows your commitment to making online shopping inclusive for everyone, including people who use just a keyboard and screen readers or need accessible formats like large print or audio recordings. This isn’t just about compliance with the accessibility rules; it also builds trust and enhances the user experience.
Unlike a general accessibility statement, one for e-commerce must address specific areas like shopping cart access, mobile applications, and browser or device settings for accessibility. It must be comprehensive, covering live video streams, payment processes, and mobile-friendliness to ensure a smooth shopping journey for all users.
Are Your Media Assets EAA Compliant? Find Out Now with Our Free Checklist!
Free download nowWhy Do You Need an Accessibility Statement?
An accessibility statement isn’t just legally required under accessibility regulations; it’s also an ethical commitment to your customers. Beyond compliance, it’s about creating an inclusive experience for all, including those using screen reader software, speech recognition software, or just a keyboard to navigate. This openness helps build trust and boosts your website’s accessibility.
Furthermore, publishing an accessibility statement is part of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines set the AA standard for accessibility, the minimum requirement for compliance with the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
Around 15% of the world’s population lives with a disability, and improving accessibility can help boost e-commerce sales by reaching this market. Inaccessible web pages can leave people out and hurt conversions. Extensive testing to ensure compliance helps everyone, from disabled users to businesses.
Failing to meet accessibility requirements can also lead to fines or lawsuits. All we have to do is examine other countries that have industries where regulations are already in effect.
In 2021, in the UK, Holly Scott-Gardner, a blind student from York, received a £5,000 settlement against the Student Loans Company (SLC) after she could not fill out an inaccessible form for Disabled Students’ Allowance. As a result, the SLC improved the form to make it compliant with regulations and committed to ensuring all their online content is accessible.
Similarly, in 2023, also in the UK, Stephen Campbell, a blind man, was awarded £3,000 after he could not use his screen reader to access the Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSCNI) website for a job application. Following this case, HSCNI updated its recruitment policies to better accommodate screen reader users.
How to Write an Accessibility Statement
Creating an inclusion statement helps users understand your website’s commitment to digital accessibility. It also supports compliance with accessibility regulations like WCAG. Let’s break down how to make your own website accessible with a clear, actionable statement.
Step 1: Identify and State Your Commitment
Start by stating your company’s dedication to accessibility. Let visitors know you value inclusivity and aim to make your website accessible to everyone, including screen reader users and those using speech recognition apps.
For instance, companies like Amazon and ASOS highlight their commitment to creating fully accessible experiences. Making this clear upfront helps build trust and shows your dedication, which can improve accessibility and customer retention.
Step 2: Mention Which Guidelines Your Site Complies With
Next, outline the accessibility standards your website meets. Make sure to mention if your site follows WCAG 2.1 guidelines. Include details about tools like WAVE or Lighthouse, which can help test accessibility, and share that popular platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce provide tools to support compliance. These steps highlight your efforts to maintain compliance and stay on top of evolving guidelines.
Step 3: Identify Areas Where Your Website Doesn’t Meet the Target
Being transparent about areas where your website is partially compliant helps build credibility. Mention sections or features that may be non-accessible and share a proactive plan to close these gaps.
Include timelines, such as dates for updates, and any partners like the Digital Accessibility Centre helping you meet accessibility targets. Regular audits are crucial to comply with changing accessibility regulations and ensure continuous improvements.
Step 4: Provide Contact Details
Always provide clear ways for users to get in touch if they encounter accessibility problems. This can include contact details like an email, phone number, or live chat—ideally, offering multiple ways to reach out.
For example, ASOS provides an accessibility platform for immediate assistance. Offering multiple contact points (like Shopify) ensures users can choose the most convenient way to report issues or request alternative formats like accessible PDF versions of documents.
Make sure your statement is clear and covers all important points. A strong accessibility disclosure demonstrates your dedication, guides users, and reassures them that you care about providing an inclusive online experience.
Example Accessibility Statements
Effective accessibility statements provide clear communication to all users, ensuring they understand a website’s accessibility features. Let’s look at a few top examples.
Accessibility Statements from High-Traffic Websites
BBC’s accessibility disclosure is a strong example of e-commerce. It covers compliance with accessibility regulations, ensuring the website is compatible with screen reader software and speech recognition apps, and includes details for reporting accessibility problems.
Likewise, GOV.UK’s inclusion statement provides clear technical information on different formats, like accessible PDF and Word documents, making their platforms more inclusive. Both statements are practical user-focused, and demonstrate a solid commitment to accessibility.
E-Commerce Accessibility Examples
H&M is the most accessible online shop in the world, according to this research. Accessibility statements like H&M’s showcase a commitment to compliance with accessibility regulations. And, it highlights how a statement doesn’t need to be complex.
At 3 sentences, H&M’s accessibility statement is short, succinct, and contains everything users need to know.
It also directs users on where to go to report issues, making this accessibility statement one of the most practical and user-focused we’ve seen.
Accessibility Statements from Global Brands
Global brands like Microsoft and Apple also demonstrate best practices, detailing accessible format support for users across various countries and public sector websites. Click below to see the accessibility statements for:
These brands use clear feedback and contact information, outlining the scope of the accessibility commitment and an enforcement procedure. Such efforts make the sites meet accessibility standards and cater to diverse legal requirements globally.
Accessibility Statement Tips and Best Practices for E-Commerce
Let’s explore some tips for creating an effective accessibility disclosure for your e-commerce website. Here are best practices to help you comply with accessibility regulations and ensure users have clear information on accessibility features and support.
1. Get a Legal Review
To stay compliant with accessibility regulations, it’s worth having a solicitor review your statement and related documents. They can help you ensure everything is in line with the law, from handling disproportionate burdens to checking your website policies. Before you start, use a checklist to make sure you’ve covered all the bases for your digital content, especially.
Are Your Media Assets EAA Compliant? Find Out Now with Our Free Checklist!
Free download now2. Be Clear and Specific
Your accessibility statement should explain exactly how your website supports users with disabilities. For example, outline how people can navigate with a keyboard or use assistive tools like screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver) and speech recognition software. Mention features like screen magnification options or device settings that improve accessibility. Clear, specific details make your statement more useful and trustworthy.
3. Make It Easy to Find
Put your accessibility statement where users can easily spot it. Add it to your website’s footer, help section, or anywhere visitors might look for information about accessibility. The easier it is to find, the more helpful it will be.
4. Keep It Up to Date
Your accessibility statement isn’t a “set it and forget it” document. Review it at least once a year or whenever you make significant changes to your site. This ensures everything is accurate and reflects your current efforts to improve accessibility. Even content that falls outside of strict accessibility rules should still be easy to use.
These tips provide an easy strategy to create an accessibility statement that’s not just compliant but also genuinely useful to your customers. It’s a simple step towards complying with new regulations and ultimately making your website more inclusive to everyone.
Advanced Tips to Make Your Accessibility Statement Stand Out
If you want your accessibility statement to go beyond the basics and really resonate with your audience, here are some advanced tips to consider. These small touches can make a big difference in how your statement is perceived and used.
1. Show Your Commitment
Don’t just list your accessibility features—explain why accessibility matters to your business. Share your company’s values or include a personal message that shows your commitment to inclusivity. This human touch helps build trust and shows users that you genuinely care.
2. Include Real User Feedback
If you’ve worked with users with disabilities or accessibility consultants to improve your website, mention it. Including insights from real people demonstrates that your accessibility efforts are grounded in genuine experiences, not just to comply with laws.
3. Offer Multiple Contact Options
Make it easy for users to reach out if they encounter accessibility issues or need help. Provide multiple ways to get in touch, such as an email address, a phone number, or even a live chat option. Clearly outline response times so users know what to expect.
4. Highlight Ongoing Efforts
Accessibility is an ongoing journey, not a one-off project. Use your statement to talk about what you’re working on next. For example, mention planned improvements or recent audits and updates. This shows you’re continually striving to do better.
5. Use Plain Language
Avoid jargon or overly technical language. Keep your statement simple and easy to understand. This makes it accessible to all users, including those who might not be familiar with legal or technical terms.
6. Incorporate Accessibility Resources
Add links to helpful resources, like guides for using screen readers or tutorials for enabling accessibility features on different devices. This extra layer of support can make a big difference for users.
How an Accessibility Statement Boosts Your Brand Reputation
Being known for accessibility boosts your brand’s reputation, making your websites and mobile applications more attractive to all users. It shows you care about every customer’s experience, even if your website is partially compliant due to a disproportionate burden.
When Barclays enhanced its services to be fully accessible, it saw increased customer loyalty. Similarly, the BBC’s focus on accessibility led to a wider audience. Making accessibility a core value builds trust and makes your brand more appealing within the scope of all users.
Tools and Resources for Building an Accessible E-Commerce Website
To make your e-commerce site accessible, leverage tools and plugins that simplify the process. Accessibility plugins like AccessiBe, UserWay, and DemoUp Cliplister help platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce meet the AA standard.
Use Axe, WAVE, or Google Lighthouse to assess how your accessibility statement applies and whether success criteria are met.
These tools make it easier for users to screen-navigate and support public sector bodies’ website compliance. It’s important to stay ahead on non-compliance issues to minimise any disproportionate burden claims, offering PDFs and other documents in different formats where necessary.
Wrapping Up
An effective e-commerce accessibility disclosure shows your commitment to inclusivity, ensuring your website and other documents are accessible to everyone. Schedule a free consultation to start preparing your inclusion statement today.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about accessibility statements to help you better understand their purpose, importance, and best practices. For more in-depth guidance, check out our blog. Or visit our homepage to see our full product portfolio.
An accessibility statement is a public document that outlines your website’s commitment to accessibility. It explains the steps you’ve taken to make your site accessible to everyone, including users with disabilities, and provides information on features and support available to enhance their experience.
An accessibility statement demonstrates your dedication to inclusivity and helps you comply with legal regulations, such as the Equality Act in the UK. It also gives users confidence in your website by clearly explaining how they can access and use its features.
A good accessibility statement should cover your site’s accessibility features, compatibility with assistive technologies, steps taken to meet accessibility standards, and contact information for support. It’s also helpful to mention any ongoing efforts or future improvements you plan to make.
Your accessibility statement should be easy to find. Common locations include the website footer, help or support section, or a dedicated page linked prominently on your site. Visibility ensures users can access this important information without difficulty.
You should update your accessibility statement at least once a year or whenever significant changes are made to your website. Regular reviews ensure accuracy and show your ongoing commitment to accessibility, helping you stay compliant and user-focused.
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