At Sitemorse, we know that receiving an accessibility monitoring notice from the Government Digital Service (GDS) can feel stressful, especially when it lands without warning. Please don’t panic. These notices are a routine part of the national accessibility checks for public sector websites, and many organisations receive them each year.

We want to make sure you understand what they mean, what to expect, and how you can stay on top of things.

Why you might receive a notice

GDS randomly selects a number of public sector sites each year to review against WCAG 2.2 AA standards. Even if your site has been tested before, it can still be chosen again as part of ongoing national monitoring.

If you’d like to understand more about how the process works and what GDS looks for, visit:
https://reports.accessibility-monitoring.service.gov.uk/reports/more-information

What the notice usually asks for

GDS explains on its website that a typical notice will outline the issues found and ask organisations to:

•    Confirm they’ve received the report
•    Provide any disproportionate burden assessment evidence if applicable
•    Complete an accessibility audit if one has not been carried out recently
•    Fix any highlighted issues within 12 weeks
•    Publish an accessibility statement in the correct format

More details about the monitoring process and the legislation are available here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-sector-website-and-mobile-application-accessibility-monitoring

What happens after the deadline

Once the 12-week window ends, GDS will retest your website. If any accessibility issues remain unresolved, the matter will be passed to the Equality and Human Rights Commission for further action. GDS also state that they periodically publish information on their findings, including a list of websites with non-compliant accessibility statements, on behalf of the Minister for the Cabinet Office.

So while these notices are not an indication that something is seriously wrong with your website, they do need to be taken seriously and acted upon within the timescales given.

How Sitemorse supports you

Regular monitoring and steady improvements remain the best way to ensure your website continues to meet accessibility expectations. Our fully automated testing service provides ongoing insight into your website’s accessibility performance, helping you identify and fix issues throughout the year. This continuous approach supports compliance and reduces the likelihood of unexpected findings during external checks. 

Have questions? Contact us

If you’d like help understanding your Sitemorse reports or strengthening your overall accessibility position, we’re here to support you. Visit https://help.sitemorse.com/ or email us at support@sitemorse.com