March 22, 2026·10 min read

How to Write an ADA Compliance Statement for Your Website

# How to Write an ADA Compliance Statement for Your Website

If you've started working on your website's accessibility, you've probably come across advice to "publish an accessibility statement." But what exactly is it, what should it say, and does it actually protect you legally?

This guide answers all of that — including a ready-to-use ADA compliance statement template you can adapt for your own site.

What Is an ADA Compliance Statement?

An ADA compliance statement (also called a website accessibility statement) is a public declaration on your website that describes:

1. Your commitment to making the site accessible to people with disabilities

2. The standard you're working toward (typically WCAG 2.1 Level AA)

3. Known limitations or areas still in progress

4. How users can report accessibility problems or request help

Think of it as the digital equivalent of a "We welcome customers of all abilities" sign — but with specifics.

Does an Accessibility Statement Actually Protect You Legally?

Short answer: It helps, but it's not a shield.

An accessibility statement can demonstrate good faith — that you're aware of your obligations and actively working toward compliance. Courts and plaintiffs' attorneys do notice the difference between a business that has done nothing and one that has an active accessibility program.

However, a statement alone will not protect you from a lawsuit if your site has real barriers. The 2024 DOJ rule under Title II clarified that substantive compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA is the expectation — not just documentation of intent.

Bottom line: An accessibility statement is a useful component of a broader compliance effort, not a replacement for it. Start with an audit (you can run a free scan at CheckMyADA) to understand where your site actually stands.

What Should an ADA Compliance Statement Include?

A well-written accessibility statement typically covers these sections:

1. Commitment Statement

A brief declaration that your organization is committed to digital accessibility and the standard you're targeting.

2. Conformance Status

Your current WCAG level. Be honest here. Options include:

Fully conforms — your site meets all WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria (rare without a formal audit)
Partially conforms — most of the site conforms, with specific known exceptions
Does not conform — you acknowledge issues and are working to fix them

Most small businesses fall into "partially conforms" territory.

3. Known Limitations

Any specific pages, features, or content types that don't yet fully meet WCAG 2.1 AA. For example: "PDF menus uploaded before 2024 may not be fully accessible."

4. Feedback and Contact Information

A dedicated way for users to report accessibility barriers or request content in an alternative format. This is arguably the most important section — it gives users an actionable path and signals good faith.

5. Formal Complaints Process (Optional but Recommended)

If someone isn't satisfied with your response, where can they escalate? This might reference the DOJ or your state's civil rights agency.

6. Assessment Approach

Briefly explain how you assessed your site — e.g., automated tools, manual testing, user testing with assistive technology.

ADA Compliance Statement Template

Below is a template you can adapt. Replace all \[BRACKETED]\ sections with your own information.

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Accessibility Statement for [YOUR BUSINESS NAME]
Last updated: [MONTH YEAR]
Commitment to Accessibility
[YOUR BUSINESS NAME] is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We continually improve the user experience for everyone and apply the relevant accessibility standards.
Conformance Status
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA.
[YOUR WEBSITE URL] is [FULLY / PARTIALLY] conformant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. [Fully conformant means that the content fully conforms to the accessibility standard without any exceptions. / Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard.]
Known Limitations
Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility, there may be some limitations. Known limitations include:

[DESCRIBE ANY SPECIFIC LIMITATIONS — e.g., "Older PDF documents may not be fully accessible. We are working to remediate these files on a rolling basis."]
[ADD ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS AS NEEDED, OR REMOVE THIS SECTION IF NONE APPLY]

Technical Specifications
Accessibility of [YOUR WEBSITE URL] relies on the following technologies to work with the particular combination of web browser and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer:

HTML
CSS
JavaScript

These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used.
Assessment Approach
[YOUR BUSINESS NAME] assessed the accessibility of [YOUR WEBSITE URL] using the following approach(es):

[Self-evaluation using automated scanning tools]
[External evaluation by a third-party accessibility consultant — if applicable]

Feedback and Contact Information
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of [YOUR WEBSITE URL]. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers:

Email: [YOUR ACCESSIBILITY CONTACT EMAIL]
Phone: [YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Mailing Address: [YOUR ADDRESS]

We try to respond to accessibility feedback within [2–5 business days].
Formal Complaints
If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility feedback, you may contact the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, or file a complaint with your state's civil rights agency.
This statement was created using the W3C Accessibility Statement Generator Tool.

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How to Make Your Statement Findable

Publishing a statement no one can find defeats the purpose. Best practices:

Add a link in your footer on every page — label it "Accessibility" or "Accessibility Statement"
Don't bury it inside a mega-menu or a legal page with 12 other items
Make the statement page itself accessible — use proper heading structure, adequate color contrast, and don't put the statement inside a PDF

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Copying a statement without reading it

Many businesses copy statements from large corporations that say "fully conforms" — which is almost certainly not accurate for a small business site. If your statement overstates your compliance level and you're sued, that discrepancy can be used against you.

Using vague language

"We are committed to accessibility" with no specifics is nearly meaningless. Identify the standard (WCAG 2.1 AA), your current status, and what you're doing to improve.

No working contact method

The contact information in the statement must actually work. A broken email link or an unmonitored inbox undermines the entire point. Test it quarterly.

Setting it and forgetting it

Accessibility is an ongoing process, not a one-time project. Update the "Last updated" date and revise known limitations every time you make significant changes to the site.

Do You Need a Lawyer to Write an Accessibility Statement?

Not necessarily for a basic statement, but it's worth noting:

For healthcare organizations (HIPAA intersections) or financial services firms, a lawyer's review adds protection
If you've already received a demand letter, have legal counsel review any public-facing statements before you publish
A lawyer can help you strike the right balance between transparency and not admitting more liability than necessary

For most small business owners just starting out, a clear, honest statement based on the template above is a solid starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an accessibility statement legally required in the U.S.?

Not universally — but the W3C and many legal experts recommend it. Some state laws and procurement contracts do require it. For federal contractors and Section 508 covered entities, it's effectively mandatory.

Where exactly should I put my accessibility statement on my website?

In the footer of every page is the gold standard. Linking from your privacy policy page is also common. Make sure it's reachable in no more than two clicks from the homepage.

What's the difference between an accessibility statement and a VPAT?

A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a detailed technical document used primarily in enterprise and government procurement. An accessibility statement is a public-facing, plain-language summary. Most small businesses only need the statement.

Can I use the same statement for multiple websites?

Only if both sites have been audited to the same level. Each website has its own technical characteristics, so the "known limitations" and conformance status should reflect the actual state of each individual site.

How often should I update my accessibility statement?

At minimum, once a year — and after any significant website redesign or platform migration.

Next Step: Know What You're Actually Disclosing

Before you publish an accessibility statement, it helps to know your actual conformance status. Running an automated audit gives you a baseline — what issues exist, which pages have the most problems, and what you can fix quickly.

Run a free accessibility scan on CheckMyADA to get a report before you draft your statement. It takes under two minutes and gives you real data to work with.

Then visit /how-it-works to understand what the scan covers (and what it doesn't — no automated tool catches everything).

For more accessibility guides, browse the CheckMyADA blog.