Since the launch of its new website on 17 February 2026, Highland Council has improved its website accessibility ranking by 200 places.
In February 2026, Highland Council ranked 224th for website accessibility out of over 400 councils in the UK. Just one month after launching the new site, Highland Council is now ranked 24th in the UK and 3rd in Scotland, with an average accessibility score of 99%.
Cllr Bill Lobban, Chair of Highland Council’s Redesign Board, said: “The new website was designed to ensure customers can quickly, easily and independently access the information they need, with accessibility at its core to shape both design and content. Improving accessibility is about fairness, inclusion and making sure our digital services work for all our communities. Meeting the required accessibility standards played a major role in the website’s transformation and by prioritising inclusive design, we have created a site that is easier for everyone to use.”
The Council meets the Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA, the accessibility standard required for public sector organisations. These internationally recognised standards ensure websites work effectively with assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice control and keyboard navigation to support people of all ages and abilities, those with impairments and those for whom English is not a first language.
The performance of the website is continually tested and monitored alongside monthly independent tests by Silktide, a web governance platform, to ensure accessibility improvements are maintained.
For more information, visit www.highland.gov.uk.