A legal duty and a governance responsibility
Council websites must meet public sector accessibility regulations, but accessibility should not be viewed as a technical burden. It is about ensuring everyone in the community can access council information fairly.
This includes people with disabilities, older residents, and anyone using assistive technology — but it also benefits residents using mobile phones, slow connections, or older devices.
Common accessibility problems
Many accessibility issues come from everyday content decisions rather than specialist technical failures. Common problems include:
- long or poorly structured PDFs
- unclear headings and page layouts
- inconsistent navigation
- information spread across multiple places
These issues create barriers for residents and increase the risk of complaints.
Building accessibility into everyday use
When accessibility is built into the website template and content structure, it becomes easier for clerks and staff to do the right thing by default. Clear layouts, accessible page patterns, and guidance reduce the chance of mistakes.
Accessibility then becomes part of normal website management, rather than a separate or occasional task.
Why this matters for councillors
An accessible website helps councillors:
- meet legal obligations confidently
- reduce risk and complaints
- improve access to information for all residents
- demonstrate fairness, openness, and good governance
Accessibility is not just about compliance – it reflects how seriously the council takes its responsibilities.