Is your public sector website ready for September 2019?

September 2019 sees the introduction of new regulations around ensuring that public sector websites and mobile apps meet accessibility standards.

Making a website or app accessible ensures that it can be used by as many people as possible - including those with impaired vision, learning and motor difficulties and other disabilities.

Accessible websites and apps are better for all users; they are often faster and easier to use and have been designed with a user-centered focus. Our own work on the new Hartlepool Now, for Hartlepool Borough Council and due to launch in October 2019, is based upon an accessibility-first approach.

The new regulations ("The Public Sector Bodies Websites and Mobile Applications No 2 Accessibility Regulations 2018") implement the EU Directive on the accessibility of public sector websites and mobile applications with the key dates for implementation being:

The two key requirements of the new regulations are:

Check out these external links and articles to find out more about the upcoming changes:

How the Government Digital Services is helping public sector websites meet accessibility guidelines:
https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2018/09/24/how-were-helping-public-sector-websites-meet-accessibility-requirements

Guidance from Gov.uk on making your website and app accessible:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/accessibility-requirements-for-public-sector-websites-and-apps

Courses and training for the public sector across a range of subjects including accessibility:
https://designnotes.blog.gov.uk/events-and-training-in-the-user-centred-design-community/