Birmingham council accessibility rules - England

Technology and Data England 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 11, 2026 Flag of England

Birmingham, England public bodies must follow national accessibility duties when publishing websites and delivering services. This article summarises the legal framework that applies to council-run sites and digital services in Birmingham, explains enforcement and remedies, and gives clear steps to report or seek adjustments for an inaccessible service.

Overview of the legal framework

The main statutory instrument for public-sector website and app accessibility is the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. Public Sector Accessibility Regulations 2018[1] These regulations require public bodies to meet technical standards, publish an accessibility statement, and provide a means to request inaccessible content in an alternative format.

Alongside the accessibility regulations, duties under the Equality Act 2010 require reasonable adjustments in service delivery for disabled people; these duties are enforced through equality law channels.

Penalties & Enforcement

How breaches are handled under the public-sector accessibility rules and related equality law varies by instrument and enforcing body.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page. [1]
  • Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited page. [1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions and orders (court actions, injunctions, remedial orders): not specified on the cited page. [1]
  • Enforcer and complaints: for site-specific problems contact Birmingham City Council's official complaints and access contact channel. Birmingham contact and complaints[2]
  • Appeals and review routes: specific appeal time limits are not specified on the cited page; judicial review and equality complaints using civil routes may apply depending on instrument and facts. [1]
  • Defences and discretion: public bodies may rely on permitted exceptions, reasonable excuse or demonstrate steps taken to comply; where a statutory exception applies it will be shown on the controlling instrument or guidance. [1]
If a web page is inaccessible, keep a dated record and contact the council using the official contact route to request an alternative format.

Common violations and typical outcomes

  • Missing accessibility statement - usually requires publication and update.
  • Failure to provide alternative formats on request - requires remedial action.
  • Non-conformance with WCAG technical success criteria - requires technical remediation plans.

Applications & Forms

Birmingham does not publish a dedicated accessibility-compliance application form on the cited council contact page; reports and requests are accepted through the council's contact and complaints channels. [2]

Action steps for residents and service users

  • Report the issue to Birmingham City Council using the official contact/complaints page and request an alternative format or reasonable adjustment.[2]
  • Keep copies of requests and responses, and note dates for any deadlines mentioned by the council.
  • If unresolved, raise an equality complaint with the Equality and Human Rights Commission or seek legal advice under the Equality Act 2010.
  • For web technical faults, ask for an accessibility statement and a remediation timetable from the council.
Retention of written records speeds up escalation and formal complaints.

FAQ

Who enforces accessibility for council websites?
Legal duties come from the Public Sector Accessibility Regulations 2018 and equality law; practical enforcement can start by contacting Birmingham City Council and may escalate to equality bodies or courts if not resolved.[1]
How do I report an inaccessible council page or service?
Use Birmingham City Council's official contact and complaints page to report the problem and request an alternative format or reasonable adjustment.[2]
Are there fixed fines for non-compliance?
The statutory instrument does not list fixed fines on the cited regulation page; specific monetary penalties are not specified on that page.[1]

How-To

  1. Identify and document the inaccessible content with URLs, screenshots and dates.
  2. Contact Birmingham City Council via its official contact or complaints page and request the content in an accessible format; include your documentation.
  3. If the council does not respond or resolve, lodge an equality complaint with the Equality and Human Rights Commission or seek legal remedies under the Equality Act 2010.
  4. Keep records and follow any council-specified appeal deadlines; consider a formal complaint escalation or legal review if necessary.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2018 Accessibility Regulations set publishing and technical duties for public bodies.
  • Report problems first to Birmingham City Council using its official contact route.
  • If unresolved, equality law channels may provide remedies.

Help and Support / Resources

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