Skip To Content

Your browser is out of date, please upgrade it.

Page last updated icon Page last updated on 12th April 2024

Accessibility

When we talk about accessibility on this site, we mean it in its widest sense. The site is designed to work for disabled users, to be accessible on as many devices as possible, and our written content and images were devised to be understood by the broadest possible range of people.

Our aim

Our aim is that no one visiting the site should be excluded from a significant piece of content or experience because of a disability or because of the device or browser they are using to view the site.

Accessibility measures

The site has been built to an AA accessibility standard, as defined by the W3C initiative. Put simply, this means that the most common barriers for disabled users will not be found on this site.

We also provide an accessibility toolbar on the site. This software provides every online user with the tools they need to create a unique experience.

Some of our resources are also available in accessible formats, including accessible PDFs, audio, BSL, easy read and large print, from our Resource Centre.

Using our site

We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website.

This means that you can:

  • Change contrast levels
  • Modify the font, colours, line height or spacing of text
  • Zoom in up to 200% without text spilling off the screen
  • The text will reflow in a single column when you change the size of your browser window
  • Navigate the website using just a keyboard
  • Translate the website into a different language
  • Listen to the website using a screen reader

We provide assistive technology, enabling all websites visitors to customise their experience through a range of option to suit their online accessibility and language needs.

The Recite Me toolbar provides text to speech functionality, fully customisable styling features, reading aids and a translation tool with over 100 languages, including 35 text to speech voices and many other features.

Known limitations

Whilst we try to maintain a high standard of accessibility on our website, there are some known limitations. These are documented below.

  • Some videos may not have captions

Also, the accessibility tool ignores form fields by default. These are ignored to ensure there is no interaction on personal data entered onto a site via form fields.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you encounter content that you cannot access, then please contact us using the details below and we will provide you with an accessibility alternative.

0203 019 1056

Any feedback we receive will be dealt with by the Website Manager and we aim to get back to you within 48 hours (if a response is requested).

If you are not happy with how to respond to issues you have raised with us about the accessibility of our website, then contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS). The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for ensuring websites meet accessibility standards.

Third-party content and functionality

We may make use of third-party resources that embed content in our website. Wherever possible we will ensure these are conformant.

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

We aim for conformance with the WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1) at level AA. This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons:

  • Known elements within the website do not conform to 1.3.1 and 4.1.2 making it difficult for assistive technology to convey information successfully
  • Known elements on smaller screens do not conform to 1.4.12: AA and 1.4.4: AA making it difficult for the visually impaired to read
  • Elements included from remote sources fail to comply with 2.1.1: A and 4.1.2

We aim to fix these on an ongoing basis.