guide
WAD for non-profit: requirements, priorities, and audit checklist
WAD compliance for non-profit sites requires applying EU Web Accessibility Directive to the specific failure points typical of the non-profit industry — including donation forms with poor keyboard support, event registration timeouts without warnings, inaccessible grant-application pdfs.
Does WAD apply to non-profit sites?
The EU Web Accessibility Directive (Directive (EU) 2016/2102) requires public-sector bodies in all EU member states to make their websites and mobile apps accessible per EN 301 549, with mandatory accessibility statements and a complaints mechanism — operative since September 2018 for new sites and September 2020 for all sites.
Non-profit accessibility — the lay of the land
Non-profits face accessibility on three fronts: legal exposure under the ADA, grant-funding requirements (most federal grants now require digital accessibility), and mission alignment (excluding disabled donors and beneficiaries undermines mission). Donation forms and event registration are the most common failure points.
Where WAD bites hardest in non-profit sites
• Donation forms with poor keyboard support
• Event registration timeouts without warnings
• Inaccessible grant-application PDFs
• Programme content as image-only
• Inaccessible third-party donor platforms
Remediation priorities
• Donation flow (mobile + desktop)
• Event registration and ticketing
• Grant application forms
• Programme information pages
• Volunteer portal
How to comply with WAD on a Non-profit site
1. Conform to EN 301 549: Which incorporates WCAG 2.1 AA.
2. Publish an accessibility statement: Per Article 7. Templated wording specified.
3. Provide a feedback mechanism: Allow users to flag issues.
4. Cooperate with national monitoring: Each member state samples and audits.
Sources
- Directive (EU) 2016/2102 — European Union
- ADA.gov — US DOJ
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Cited answers. Sourced. Updated as standards and case law change.
Does WAD apply to non-profit websites?
The EU Web Accessibility Directive (Directive (EU) 2016/2102) requires public-sector bodies in all EU member states to make their websites and mobile apps accessible per EN 301 549, with mandatory accessibility statements and a complaints mechanism — operative since September 2018 for new sites and September 2020 for all sites.
What are the most common WAD failures in non-profit sites?
Donation forms with poor keyboard support Event registration timeouts without warnings Inaccessible grant-application PDFs
What conformance level should a non-profit site target?
WCAG 2.2 Level AA is the consensus target for legal compliance and the level referenced by virtually every national accessibility law.
Does the ADA apply to non-profits?
Yes. ADA Title III covers any "public accommodation" — and non-profit charities, foundations, museums, religious-organisation services, social service centres, and educational programmes are typically in scope. Religious organisations themselves are partially exempt from Title III but their auxiliary programmes often are not.
Do grant-funded non-profits have additional obligations?
Federal grants typically require recipients to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act — which includes a digital accessibility component. Some grant terms now also reference WCAG explicitly.
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