WCAG compliance is a legal requirement for every council website in the UK. The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 require all public sector websites — including town councils, parish councils, and community councils — to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) at level AA. At Zonkey, we build council websites that meet WCAG 2.2 AA as standard.
What Is WCAG 2.2 AA?
WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines — a set of internationally recognised standards published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines define how to make web content accessible to people with disabilities, including visual impairments, hearing loss, motor disabilities, and cognitive conditions.
WCAG 2.2 is the latest version of these guidelines, published in October 2023. Level AA is the conformance level required by UK law for public sector websites. It covers requirements including colour contrast, keyboard accessibility, clear navigation, meaningful link text, properly labelled forms, and compatibility with screen readers.
Why WCAG Compliance Matters for Councils
Around one in five people in the UK has a disability. Your council website must work for all of them. WCAG compliance ensures that residents who use screen readers, keyboard navigation, voice recognition software, or other assistive technologies can access the same information as everyone else — from meeting minutes and planning documents to councillor contact details and community news.
Non-compliance carries real consequences. The Government Digital Service monitors public sector websites, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission has enforcement powers. Beyond the legal risk, an inaccessible website simply excludes a significant portion of your community from local democracy.
How We Ensure WCAG Compliance
At Zonkey, WCAG compliance is not an afterthought — it is the foundation of every council website we build. Our approach includes semantic HTML, proper heading hierarchy, colour contrast checking, keyboard navigation testing, screen reader testing, accessible forms, and responsive design. We also provide an accessibility statement for every website we deliver.
Free WCAG Compliance Check
Not sure whether your current council website meets WCAG 2.2 AA? We offer a free, no-obligation accessibility check. We will review your website and provide a clear report on any compliance issues. Request a quotation or call 01225 667 977.
Free Council Website Accessibility Check
Not sure if your council website meets WCAG 2.2 AA standards? We will review your website and send you a clear report with recommendations — completely free, no obligation.
Get Your Free CheckBook a Free Consultation
Ready to discuss your council's website? Talk to our team about your requirements and we will put together a tailored proposal for your council.
Book Your Consultation or call 01225 667 977