Digital Accessibility Statement & PolicyGlobal Mayors Academy
Effective Date: [Insert Date]
Last Reviewed: [Insert Date]
Website: https://globalmayors.academy
Organisation: Global Mayors Academy
1. Our CommitmentGlobal Mayors Academy (“GMA”, “we”, “our”, “us”) is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all users, including people with disabilities. As a global learning platform empowering city leaders to succeed and thrive in complexity, we believe equitable access to knowledge and digital participation is fundamental.
We are committed to providing a website and digital learning environment that is inclusive, usable, and accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology, ability, or location.
Accessibility is embedded into our digital strategy, design processes, and content governance.
2. Standards and Legal FrameworkWe aim to align our website and digital services with:

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 – Level AA
• The Equality Act 2010 (United Kingdom)
• Relevant provisions of EN 301 549 (Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services)
• International accessibility best practices where applicable

As an organisation serving a global audience, we monitor developments in accessibility standards across jurisdictions, including principles reflected in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other international frameworks.
3. Scope of This PolicyThis policy applies to:

• The public website (https://globalmayors.academy)
• Online learning environments and course platforms
• Digital forms and registration systems
• Downloadable materials hosted directly on our domain

It does not apply to third-party platforms or external websites not under our control, although we aim to work with providers that demonstrate accessibility compliance.
4. Accessibility Features and Design PrinciplesWe aim to implement the following accessibility measures wherever technically feasible:

• Structural and Technical AccessibilitySemantic HTML structure and logical heading hierarchy
• Keyboard navigability for interactive elements
• Visible focus indicators
• ARIA roles and landmarks where appropriate
• Responsive design for mobile, tablet, and desktop devices
• Compatibility with assistive technologies
• Visual AccessibilitySufficient colour contrast ratios meeting WCAG AA standards
• Scalable text supporting zoom up to 200% without loss of functionality
• Clear typography and readable font sizing
• Avoidance of flashing or seizure-inducing content
• Content AccessibilityAlternative text for meaningful images
• Descriptive link text
• Accessible form labels and validation messaging
• Plain language where possible
• Structured content to support screen readers

Multimedia AccessibilityWhere video or audio materials are provided, we aim to include:

• Subtitles or captions
• Transcripts where reasonably practicable
• Accessible media players

5. Ongoing Accessibility ImprovementAccessibility is an ongoing process rather than a one-time compliance exercise. We:

• Integrate accessibility considerations into website design and procurement
• Conduct periodic reviews and accessibility testing
• Monitor automated accessibility audit tools
• Review new content prior to publication
• Engage with platform providers to improve accessibility performance
• Update legacy content where practicable

Where limitations are identified, we prioritise remediation based on user impact and feasibility.
6. Known LimitationsDespite our best efforts, some areas of the website may not yet fully conform to WCAG 2.2 AA standards. This may include:

• Third-party embedded content (e.g., external course platforms, event tools)
• Older PDF documents or legacy materials
• Archived resources
• Content generated by third-party contributors

We are actively working to reduce these barriers over time.
7. Reasonable AdjustmentsGlobal Mayors Academy is committed to making reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not placed at a substantial disadvantage when accessing our services.
If you require information in an alternative format (such as large print, accessible PDF, audio, or another format), we will work with you to provide appropriate access where reasonably practicable.
8. Feedback and Accessibility RequestsWe welcome feedback on the accessibility of our website and learning materials.
If you experience difficulty accessing any part of our digital services, please contact us:
Email: [Insert Contact Email – e.g., accessibility@globalmayors.academy]
Subject Line: Accessibility Request
Response Time: We aim to respond within 5–10 working days.
Please include:

• The webpage or content you are referring to
• A description of the issue
• The assistive technology you are using (if applicable)

We treat accessibility feedback seriously and use it to improve our services.
9. Enforcement (UK Users)If you are based in the United Kingdom and are not satisfied with our response, you may contact:
Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS)
Website: https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com
10. Governance and ResponsibilityResponsibility for digital accessibility at Global Mayors Academy rests with:

• The Digital & Platform Team
• Content and Programme Leads
• External development and platform partners

Accessibility considerations form part of:

• Technology selection
• Platform procurement
• Vendor evaluation
• Content publication workflows

11. Policy ReviewThis Accessibility Statement & Policy will be reviewed:

• Annually; or
• Upon significant changes to the website or digital platforms; or
• Following updates to applicable legislation or accessibility standards.