Accessibility / BFSG 2025
Accessibility statement: mandatory content and template
The accessibility statement documents how accessible your website is and how users can report barriers. This guide shows what it must contain and offers a template structure to adapt.
01 Background
What the accessibility statement is
The accessibility statement is a public document that describes the state of accessibility of your website. The BFSG and the European standard EN 301 549 expect providers to make it available and to link to it visibly, usually in the footer. It tells users which content is accessible, where barriers remain and how they can report problems. This guide gives you an initial orientation and is not legal advice.
Not sure whether the BFSG applies to you? Read our guide on who is affected.
02 Mandatory content
What the statement must contain
A complete accessibility statement covers at least the following points:
Conformance status
State clearly whether your website is fully, partially or not conformant with the requirements (WCAG 2.1 AA via EN 301 549).
List of non-accessible content
Name the content that is not yet accessible and give a reason, for example ongoing rework or a disproportionate burden.
Feedback mechanism
Provide a contact point where users can report barriers, including an email address or contact form and, ideally, a response time.
Enforcement procedure
Point users to the enforcement or conciliation procedure they can turn to if you do not respond adequately to their feedback.
Date of creation and review
State when the statement was created or last reviewed, and on what basis the assessment was made (self-assessment or external audit).
03 Template structure
A template structure to adapt
The following outline is guidance you can adapt to your website. It is a template, not legal advice - check the wording against your specific case.
1. Title and scope
Heading "Accessibility statement" and a note on which website or app the statement covers.
2. Conformance status
One sentence on whether the site is fully, partially or not conformant with WCAG 2.1 AA via EN 301 549.
3. Non-accessible content
A list of the known barriers with a short reason for each, so users know what to expect.
4. Feedback and contact
A contact point for reporting barriers, with email or form and an expected response time.
5. Enforcement procedure
A reference to the responsible enforcement or conciliation body users can turn to.
6. Date and basis
The date of creation or last review and whether the assessment was a self-assessment or an external audit.
This structure is a template for orientation and does not replace legal advice.
04 Check your statement
How to check whether your statement is linked
The free BFSG instant check looks, among other things, at whether an accessibility statement is linked from your website. Enter your address and see in seconds whether the link is present and where your site stands.
05 Pro & Agency
Have a complete statement generated
Writing the statement by hand takes time. Our guided generator for the accessibility statement walks you through every mandatory field. The preview is free; the full text with copy and download comes with Pro and Agency, which are not open for sign-up yet.
06 Frequently asked
Questions about the accessibility statement
Is the accessibility statement mandatory?
For offerings that fall within the scope of the BFSG, a statement on the state of accessibility is expected. Whether and in what form it applies to your specific case should be assessed professionally. These are general risk notes, not legal advice.
Where does the statement have to appear?
The statement should be easy to find and linked visibly, usually in the footer alongside the legal notice and privacy policy, so that it is reachable from every page.
Do I have to list every barrier?
The statement should name the known non-accessible content transparently with a reason. Absolute completeness down to the last detail is not always feasible, but material barriers belong in the list. This is guidance, not legal advice.
Please note
This template provides orientation and does not replace legal advice.