Accessibility statement –
A guide for businesses

Digital accessibility is an important part of corporate communications. It enables people with disabilities to have unrestricted access to digital services and helps companies comply with legal requirements. A central component of digital accessibility is the accessibility statement.
As daily life increasingly shifts to the digital space, it is becoming even more important to consider accessibility online from the outset. The accessibility statement is an important step in making the status quo of digital accessibility transparent and developing it further.

But what exactly is it, why is the accessibility statement important, and how is it created? On this page, you will find everything you need to know.

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We advise you on implementing accessibility

Table of contents for this page

What is an accessibility statement and why is it important?

An accessibility statement is a document that describes the current state of a company's digital accessibility. It specifies the extent to which a website or app is accessible, which barriers still exist and which alternative access options are offered. It also contains information on how users can report problems and what legal steps they can take in the event of barriers. 

The statement is not only a legal obligation for many companies, but also an important signal for inclusion and customer friendliness. It shows that the company is actively committed to accessible access and is breaking down barriers.

Who needs an accessibility statement?

All companies that are required to implement digital accessibility in accordance with the Accessibility Enhancement Act (BFSG) 2025 must provide an accessibility statement. The exact requirements depend on the type of digital services offered and the size of the company.

What information must an accessibility statement contain?

A complete accessibility statement includes the following points:

Declaration of conformity

  • Indicate whether your website or app fully, partially or does not comply with the applicable accessibility standards.
  • Non-accessible content: List areas that are not yet accessible, explain the reasons for this and, if possible, offer accessible alternatives.

Feedback mechanism

  • Provide an accessible contact form or email address where users can report barriers.
  • Name the responsible department or person in the company with contact details to enable queries.

Enforcement procedure

  • Provide information about the possibility of initiating a conciliation procedure if the response is unsatisfactory and link to the relevant body.

Date of creation and update

  • Indicate when the statement was created. Review and update the statement at least once a year or when significant changes are made.

Publication and accessibility

  • The statement should be easy to find from any page of the website or app, for example via a link in the footer.
  • Ensure that the statement itself is accessible and machine-readable, ideally as an HTML page.
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How is an accessibility statement created?

There are various ways to create an accessibility statement. Companies can use templates and generators to simplify the process.

Recommended tools for creating an accessibility statement:

eRecht24 Accessibility Statement Generator
A free tool that is specifically tailored to the legal requirements and makes it easier to create the statement with fill-in help is the accessibility statement generator from eRecht24: https://www.e-recht24.de/barrierefreiheitserklaerung.html. The tool has a user-friendly interface with clear instructions for creating a legally compliant statement.

Template from the Saxony-Anhalt State Office for Accessibility
A detailed PDF template with wording assistance, notes and legal basis for creating an accessibility statement can be found at https://www.lf-barrierefreiheit-st.de/fileadmin/lfbf/dokumente/Vorlage_zur_Erstellung_der_Erklaerung_zur_Barrierefreiheit_v5_barrierefrei.pdf. The PDF template includes instructions with examples and background information that is tailored to the specific requirements of Saxony-Anhalt, but can also serve as a general guide.

barrierefreiheit.online
A practical guide with sample examples that explains the structure and content of an accessibility statement in detail can be found at ​https://www.barrierefreiheit.online/beitraege/anleitung-erklaerung-zur-barrierefreiheit. Here you will find practical tips and advice on how to create a legally compliant statement.

These tools and templates are particularly helpful as they take current legal requirements into account and offer practical assistance in creating a complete and correct accessibility statement.

Advantages of an accessibility statement

In addition to the legal obligation, an accessibility statement offers many advantages. It improves accessibility for people with disabilities by making it easier for them to use digital services. At the same time, improved accessibility often leads to a better overall user experience for all website visitors or application users.

Furthermore, accessible design can also have a positive impact on search engine optimisation (SEO), as accessible websites are often ranked higher by search engines. Companies that focus on digital accessibility also demonstrate social responsibility and strengthen their brand through a positive image. Finally, compliance with legal requirements also offers companies greater legal certainty and protects them from possible fines or warnings.

Challenges in implementation

Creating an accessibility statement can be challenging for companies, especially if accessibility standards have not yet been implemented. The most common problems include:

  • Technical hurdles:
    Existing systems must be adapted.
  • Costs:
    Smaller companies in particular shy away from the financial outlay.
  • Lack of awareness:
    Not all companies are aware of their legal obligations or the benefits of accessibility.

Best practice

Some companies have already implemented very good accessibility statements. The city of Berlin is particularly noteworthy in this regard: https://www.berlin.de/wir-ueber-uns/8100503-4219174-erklaerung-zur-barrierefreiheit.html.

The accessibility statement is more than a legal obligation – it is a sign of inclusion, customer friendliness and modernity. Companies should not see it as a mere formality, but as an opportunity to increase their digital reach and improve their service quality. Although implementation requires effort, the benefits for companies and users far outweigh the costs.

We support you in implementing accessibility

Further links on website accessibility


[1] dkd experts for your accessible website
[2] Accessibility Enhancement Act 2025
[3] Accessible responsive website relaunch for the BSBH
[4] Implementing web accessibility correctly from a technical perspective
[5] Website content compliant with BFSG & editorial implementation