Accessibility of public sector websites and apps: new duties and regulations

2 May 2018 02:42 PM

Summary

New regulations to make public sector websites and apps accessible to everyone, especially users with disabilities. The regulations implement a new EU Directive.

This consultation closes at: 11:45pm on 28 May 2018

Consultation description

The EU Directive on the accessibility of public sector websites and mobile applications will be brought into UK law this year.

The directive means public sector websites and apps must be made more accessible, except in cases where this would be disproportionate. You’ll meet the new rules if your website or app meets the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) accessibility standards at level AA. This is currently WCAG 2.0.

The government intends to implement the new rules in UK law by passing regulations. These will put new duties on public sector bodies to make their websites and apps accessible.

Accessibility refers to the principles and techniques used when you design, build, maintain and update websites and apps to make sure people can use them, especially people with disabilities.

This consultation seeks views on:

• what you’ll need to do to comply with the new rules if you’re affected by them
• how the rules should be monitored and enforced
• the draft regulations that will bring the Directive into UK law

Please indicate in your response whether you are happy for it to be published, and whether or not you want it to be attributed to you or your organisation.

This consultation will be available in British Sign Language (BSL) and easy read formats by 8 May 2018.

Documents

Annex 1: Public Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 PDF, 150KB, 7 pages

Ways to respond

Respond online

or

Email to: consultation-responses@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk

Write to:

Accessibility team 
7th Floor, The White Chapel Building 
Whitechapel High Street 
London E1 8QS