How to commission accessible digital content and platforms

Digital content and platforms created on behalf of Norfolk County Council (NCC) must be accessible. 

This is key to supporting our 'inclusive' core value - to champion inclusivity and equity. It is also a legal requirement for all UK public sector bodies.

If you commission the content or platform, you are responsible for making sure it's accessible.

Content

Digital content is any form of information or communication in digital format. For example, PDFs, Word documents, forms, web page text, videos, images and spreadsheets.

Read our guide on accessible content to find out what content must be accessible and why.

When you run a procurement exercise for an external supplier to create content, you must include in your specification that:

• Content must conform to Level A and AA success criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.2
• This is to ensure it is compliant with The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018

You can also:

• Ask potential suppliers to provide evidence that they:
  • Understand WCAG 2.2
  • Have experience producing content to WCAG 2.2 standard
• Signpost them to our practical advice on how to create accessible content

Only select a supplier you are sure can produce content to WCAG 2.2 standard.

Once you have chosen a supplier and they have created the content, you must also check it is accessible. Find out how we can help you.

Platforms

Digital platforms include websites, digital systems, and desktop and mobile apps (applications).

You must make sure that digital platforms you commission meet specific accessibility requirements. This includes the platform itself as well as the content it contains.

You must work with the Procurement team and Digital Services to include appropriate accessibility standards and assessments in your specification criteria and evaluation assessment.

To do this, NCC staff can contact the Procurement Sourcing team at sourcingteam@norfolk.gov.uk. Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your personal information.