Accessibility and Equality
The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) has published comprehensive accessibility guidance to ensure that public-facing digital services are inclusive and accessible to all users. This guidance is designed to help government agencies and departments meet the accessibility requirements for their websites and applications, making them usable by as many people as possible, including those with disabilities.
By following this guidance, organizations can create digital services that are not only compliant with legal standards but also provide a better user experience for everyone. The guidance covers various aspects of accessibility, including designing accessible services, creating accessible content, and testing with assistive technologies.
Regulations
Accessibility Regulations 2018
Guidance: Meet the requirements of equality and accessibility regulations The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 ensure that public sector websites and mobile applications are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. These regulations require that digital services are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. They also mandate the creation of accessibility statements and assessments to demonstrate compliance.
Equality Act 2010
Guidance: Meet the requirements of equality and accessibility regulations The Equality Act 2010 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that legally protects individuals from discrimination in the workplace and wider society. It consolidates previous anti-discrimination laws into a single Act, making it easier to understand and strengthening protection in some areas. The Act covers various forms of discrimination, including those based on age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. It also imposes a public sector equality duty, requiring public bodies to consider how their policies and practices can reduce socio-economic inequalities.
Guidance
Guidance and Tools for Digital Accessibility
The “Guidance and Tools for Digital Accessibility” provides resources to help public sector organisations meet accessibility regulations. It includes information on designing accessible services, creating accessible content, and testing with assistive technology. The guidance also offers training resources and encourages the use of the GOV.UK Design System to ensure services are inclusive and accessible to all users.
Understanding Accessibility Requirements for Public Sector Bodies
The “Accessibility Requirements for Public Sector Websites and Apps” guidance outlines the legal obligations for public sector bodies to ensure their digital services are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. It mandates compliance with the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018, which require websites and apps to be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Public sector bodies must also publish accessibility statements and regularly review and update them to demonstrate compliance.
Make your website or app accessible and publish an accessibility statement
The “Make Your Website or App Accessible and Publish an Accessibility Statement” guidance helps public sector organisations meet the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018. It provides steps to check for accessibility issues, create a plan to address them, and publish an accessibility statement. The guidance also advises on ensuring new features are accessible and offers support for compliance.
Understanding WCAG 2.2
The “Understanding WCAG” guidance provides an overview of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, which are internationally recognised recommendations for improving web accessibility. It explains how to make digital services, websites, and apps accessible to everyone, including users with impairments to their vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive abilities. The guidance outlines the four design principles of WCAG: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. It also emphasizes the importance of regular accessibility testing and using a combination of automated tools and manual tests to ensure compliance.