Shopify accessibility statement template: what to put in it

Short answer: an accessibility statement is a page on your store that tells visitors what you do about accessibility, which standard you work to, what is still not working, and how to reach you. The W3C says it should contain at least a commitment to accessibility, the standard applied, and contact information, and it advises including known limitations. A statement does not fix anything on your store, and every line in it must be true. Write it after you know the state of your store, not before.

Get it fixed: a free check first confirms the problem on your live app, usually in 4 to 10 minutes.

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Want us to check your store? Send your store link to [help@vibe-fixer.com](mailto:help@vibe-fixer.com) and we'll send your free accessibility report within one business day. It is an automated, read-only check of your store's public homepage, not a full audit with a person testing by keyboard and screen reader. It tests only what software can test of WCAG 2.0 and 2.1, Levels A and AA. It doesn't test the newer WCAG 2.2 criteria, such as target size. It finds some issues, not all of them. The report is not legal advice.

What the W3C says goes in a statement

The W3C page "Developing an Accessibility Statement" says: "Accessibility statements should contain at least the following" (W3C WAI):

• "A commitment to accessibility for people with disabilities";
• "The accessibility standard applied, such as WCAG 2.2";
• "Contact information in case users encounter problems".

It also advises including "Any known limitations, to avoid frustration of your users."

On style, it says: "It is important to write in simple language," and that statements "should explain functionality and known limitations in common terms." It also says: "Accessibility statements are not technical assessments or declarations of conformity."

The W3C gives these reasons to provide one: to show users that you care, to give them information about the accessibility of your content, and to demonstrate commitment. It adds: "In some situations, you may be required to provide an accessibility statement." Whether that applies to your store is a question for your lawyer.

A statement does not fix anything

A statement describes your store. It does not change your theme. If your menu can't be used with a keyboard, a statement doesn't make it work. Visitors judge the store, not the page about it.

It also has to be accurate. Do not write that your store meets a standard, or that it is "accessible," unless you have tested it and can show how. If you are not sure, say what you aim for and what you know is not working yet. A statement that says more than is true can mislead the visitors who rely on it. For a legal view on what to claim, ask your lawyer.

The W3C's statement generator: the fields to fill

The W3C offers a statement generator. Its form includes these parts:

• Accessibility standard followed, for example WCAG 2.2 and the level.
• Accessibility limitations, shown in the result as "Limitations and alternatives."
• Feedback options: phone, e-mail, visitor address, postal address or other contact options, and a "Typical duration for response."
• Date of publication. The form says to keep it current: a date that "should not exceed one year" may mean the statement "may be considered unmaintained." Write the month out, for example "1 February 2019," because numeric dates are ambiguous.

A short draft you can adapt

Fill in only what is true. Square brackets are yours to change.

> Accessibility at [Store name] > > We want everyone to be able to shop on our store. We are working toward [WCAG 2.2 level AA] on our pages. > > Known limitations: [for example, the size picker on some product pages is hard to use with a keyboard; we are working on it.] > > Tell us about a problem: email [address]. We try to reply within [number] business days. > > Date of this statement: [1 Month Year].

Delete any sentence you cannot stand behind. If you have not tested, do not write "we work toward" a level you have no plan to meet.

How to add the page in Shopify

Get it fixed: a free check first confirms the problem on your live app, usually in 4 to 10 minutes.

Your live app’s link It’s my app — the AI agent may sign up once as “VibeFix Test”. Check my app free

Free. No account needed. It usually takes 4 to 10 minutes.

Want it fixed? Our AI agent fixes it in your code and tests your live app again. See pricing.

Shopify's steps (Creating and editing pages):

1. In your Shopify admin, open Online Store, then select Pages.
2. Click Add page.
3. Enter a title and content. Shopify says the title appears in browser tabs and search engine results, so make it descriptive (for example, "Accessibility statement").
4. In the Visibility section, keep Visible selected to publish the page right away, or choose Hidden to keep it off your store.
5. In the Content section, add your text, links or other media.
6. Click Save.

To link to the page from a menu, Shopify's Menus and links page says menus are managed from Content > Menus, and that menu links can point to web pages (Shopify, Menus and links). The W3C advises: "Use consistent link names for your accessibility statements to help users recognize them."

FAQ

Do I have to have an accessibility statement?

The W3C says that "in some situations, you may be required to provide an accessibility statement" and points to its list of web accessibility laws and policies. For your store, ask your lawyer.

Does a statement protect me from a claim?

Don't count on it. A statement is information for visitors, not a legal shield. The W3C says statements "are not technical assessments or declarations of conformity." Ask your lawyer. This is general information and not legal advice.

How often should I update it?

The W3C generator says a date over a year old may make a statement look unmaintained. Update it when your store changes or when you fix something listed as a limitation.

Can VibeFix fix it for me?

Yes, if you ask. The free check confirms the problem first. Our AI agent can find the cause, fix it in your code and test your live app again. The price is on the pricing page.

How VibeFix works on a store

Once you choose to go ahead and connect your store, our AI agent works through the issues in your report on an unpublished copy of your theme. We review each change before you preview it, and you publish it yourself. Nothing goes live until you do. The report lists anything still open. How it works for Shopify stores

Want us to check your store?

Send your store link to [help@vibe-fixer.com](mailto:help@vibe-fixer.com) and we'll send your free accessibility report within one business day. It is an automated, read-only check of your store's public homepage, not a full audit with a person testing by keyboard and screen reader: we don't sign in, submit anything or change anything. It tests only what software can test of WCAG 2.0 and 2.1, Levels A and AA. It doesn't test the newer WCAG 2.2 criteria, such as target size. It finds some accessibility issues, not all of them. The report is not legal advice.

Related: Shopify accessibility audit: what it checks and what it can't

This page is general information, not legal advice. VibeFix is independent and is not affiliated with any company named here. Shopify is a trademark of Shopify Inc. Other names are trademarks of their owners.