Accessibility & Compliance
ConsultOnline’s core templates are designed to support accessible consultation delivery, including WCAG 2.1 AA considerations, data-protection controls and Welsh-language content. Your organisation remains responsible for reviewing its published content, configuration and legal obligations.
Designed for WCAG 2.1 AA
Core templates are designed with WCAG 2.1 AA considerations including colour contrast, keyboard navigation, focus indicators, text resizing and support for text alternatives. Uploaded content, third-party embeds and project configuration still need their own accessibility review.
Welsh Language as Standard
Bilingual Welsh and English consultations are included at no extra cost. Respondents can switch between Cymraeg and English at any point, with all platform interface text, survey questions and consultation content available in both languages. This meets the requirements of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 and Welsh Language Standards, so councils in Wales can comply without commissioning separate translation platforms or paying per-language surcharges.
GDPR & Data Protection
Consultation data is stored in European data centres and encrypted at rest and in transit. Data Processing Agreements, privacy controls, cookie-consent tools and processes for handling erasure requests support GDPR-compliant delivery. Each organisation remains responsible for its lawful basis, notices, retention and configuration.
The Case for Inclusive Design
Why accessibility is non-negotiable for public consultations
Public consultations should make it practical for as many people as possible to take part. Public bodies may have duties to make reasonable adjustments and advance equality of opportunity, while the precise requirements depend on the service and published content.
Accessibility barriers can arise from missing labels, poor contrast, inaccessible documents, unsuitable embeds or interactions that are difficult to use without a mouse. Templates help, but each consultation still needs a content and usability review.
ConsultOnline treats accessibility as a design principle. Core components use semantic structure and are designed for keyboard and assistive-technology use. Welsh-language content is supported within the platform. These features support your accessibility work; they do not by themselves establish legal or WCAG conformance.
How It Works
Accessibility considered at every step
Create in Any Language
Build your consultation content in English, Welsh or both simultaneously. The platform provides a side-by-side editing interface for bilingual content, so you can see both language versions as you write. All platform interface elements — buttons, labels, navigation, error messages — are already translated. Your survey questions, consultation descriptions and supporting documents are the only content you need to provide in both languages.
Automatic Compliance Checks
Before launch, review headings, colour choices, images, forms, uploaded documents and third-party content. ConsultOnline provides accessible templates, content fields and issue-reporting tools, but these do not replace manual testing or an independent accessibility audit.
Inclusive Response Experience
Core consultation controls are designed for keyboard and assistive-technology use. Available accessibility preferences include high-contrast and font options. Where Welsh content has been provided and configured, respondents can switch language while using the consultation.
Compliance
Tools to support compliance
UK public consultations must comply with a complex web of legislation and standards. ConsultOnline addresses each one so you do not have to manage compliance manually.
WCAG 2.1 AA
Core templates are designed to support the WCAG 2.1 AA principles: perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. This includes structured headings, colour-contrast targets, keyboard operability and compatibility considerations for assistive technologies. Project content and configuration require separate review.
UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018
ConsultOnline provides European hosting and configurable data-protection controls, including privacy-notice fields, retention settings, access controls and workflows that can support data-subject requests. Data Processing Agreements are available. Each organisation remains responsible for its lawful basis, notices, configuration, retention decisions and request handling; confirm technical security details in the current service documentation.
Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011
Full bilingual support for Welsh and English, meeting the requirements of the Welsh Language Standards issued by the Welsh Language Commissioner. Respondents can interact entirely in Cymraeg, with all platform navigation, form elements, error messages and system notifications available in Welsh. The language toggle is persistent, remembering each user’s preference across sessions. Welsh language support is included as standard with no additional charge.
Equality Act 2010 & PSED
The platform helps you meet your obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty by ensuring consultations are accessible to people with protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments are built in: screen reader support, keyboard navigation, text resizing, high contrast mode and dyslexia-friendly fonts. Demographic monitoring helps you demonstrate that your consultation has reached a representative cross-section of the community.
Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018
These regulations require public sector websites and mobile applications to meet accessibility standards and publish an accessibility statement. ConsultOnline meets the technical requirements automatically, publishes its own accessibility statement at /accessibility-statement and provides a template accessibility statement that you can publish alongside your consultations. The platform is regularly tested against these regulations to support ongoing compliance as standards evolve.
Cookie Consent & Privacy Controls
Granular cookie consent management is built in, allowing respondents to accept or reject non-essential cookies before any tracking occurs. Privacy controls let respondents choose whether to provide personal information or respond anonymously for sensitive consultations. All consent choices are logged and auditable, ensuring compliance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) alongside UK GDPR.
Consultations designed for broader participation
Book a demo and we will show you how ConsultOnline handles WCAG compliance, Welsh language toggling and GDPR controls out of the box. See accessible consultation design in action.
Capabilities
Accessibility and compliance features at a glance
Availability of the features below varies by package, configuration and project scope. Confirm the included accessibility and language options, and any service charges, before purchase.
Language Support
Built-in language support
Welsh-language content is supported as part of ConsultOnline. Consultation teams provide and approve their English and Welsh content, and can make both versions available within the same project.
Where translations have been supplied and configured, respondents can use the language selector to move between available versions. Teams should review each language version before publication, including documents, validation messages and contact information.
The platform’s internationalisation architecture can support additional locales. The languages and translated interface coverage required for a project should be agreed and tested during setup.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Ready to make consultation more accessible?
Stop worrying about accessibility compliance and Welsh language requirements. ConsultOnline handles it all as standard, so you can focus on meaningful community engagement. Join planning authorities across England and Wales who trust ConsultOnline to deliver inclusive, compliant public consultations.
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