Website Accessibility Compliance Has Been Raised to Meet WCAG 2.2A

WEBINAR delivered via Zoom by Mark Tomkins, Founder of Aubergine – the council sector website accessibility and compliance experts and authorised .gov.uk registrars.

This webinar is specifically designed for parish and town council clerks to understand the latest updates in website accessibility standards, with a particular focus on the new WCAG 2.2A standard, which came into effect in October 2024. In addition, the session will address the website-related requirements outlined in SAPPP 2025 Assertion 10, ensuring councils meet both the technical and procedural expectations for public sector digital accessibility.

We will explore what these changes mean for local councils and provide practical, actionable guidance to help ensure your council’s website is fully compliant—supporting inclusivity, transparency, and legal responsibility.

Key Points:

• Overview of WCAG 2.2A and What’s New

• Key updates in WCAG 2.2A that affect councils’ websites.
• The impact of these changes on accessibility for users with disabilities.

• Aligning with SAPPP 2025 Assertion 10

• Understanding the digital service and publishing obligations related to council websites.
• How Assertion 10 intersects with accessibility, usability, and transparency requirements.
• How all this fits in with using a .gov.uk domain.

• Day-to-Day Accessibility Compliance

• How to conduct accessibility audits for your website.
• Simple improvements: text contrast, font readability, and intuitive navigation.
• Ensuring multimedia content (videos, audio) meets accessibility standards.
• The top 10 techniques of good accessible publishing—crucial for SAPPP compliance.

• Legal and Ethical Responsibilities

• Understanding the legal implications of non-compliance under public sector regulations.
• Ethical practices and proactive strategies to avoid complaints and ensure inclusivity.

• Tools and Resources for Website Accessibility

• Free and practical accessibility tools for testing and ongoing monitoring.
• Implementing accessible publishing & editorial checklists for SAPPP compliance.

• Practical Steps to Ensure Long-Term Compliance

• Regular content reviews to meet evolving accessibility needs.
• Engaging council staff and stakeholders in maintaining an inclusive and compliant website.

This session will equip parish and town council clerks with the knowledge and tools needed to manage their council’s website in line with WCAG 2.2A and SAPPP 2025 Assertion 10, ensuring both legal compliance and an inclusive digital experience for all.

How to Book Your Place for the Event

We strongly encourage individual Councillors to sign up for events via the Clerk to the Council. However, if that’s not possible, please consult with your Clerk before booking your own place.

Booking Process

The booking form has two sections to complete:

1. Ticket Buyer: Enter the name and contact details of the Clerk or Responsible Finance Officer (RFO). This ensures they receive the confirmation details as well as the delegate attending.
2. Attendee: Enter the details of the individual attending the event. Ensure the attendee’s email address is accurate, as all joining instructions will be sent to this email.

Before submitting the form, double-check all details to ensure accuracy.

What Happens Next

If your details are correct, you will receive a notification via Eventbrite upon confirmation of booking and again as follows:

• A few days before the event
• Again, within 24 hours of the event

These notifications will include:

• The date and time of registration
• Pre-event materials or links for additional reading
• Joining instructions, including the Zoom link and Meeting ID as a backup

We’ll also provide contact details for assistance on the event day to ensure your experience is smooth and productive.

Need Help?

We’re always happy to assist with booking, but we hope this guide helps you confidently book your place at your convenience.