Accessibility Commitment for Our Digital Experience
Accessibility statement
We are committed to making our digital experience more accessible for everyone, including people who use assistive technologies or access content in different ways. This accessibility statement explains the steps we have taken, the standards we aim to meet, and how we respond to accessibility requests. Our approach is grounded in inclusive design, practical testing, and ongoing improvement so that more visitors can use the site with confidence. We aim to support a broad range of needs, including visual, motor, cognitive, and auditory accessibility requirements.
We are working toward WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, which is a widely recognised benchmark for accessible web content. In practical terms, this means we strive to provide clear structure, sufficient contrast, understandable content, and controls that can be operated without barriers. We also review pages for responsive behaviour so the experience remains usable on smaller screens and with varied zoom settings. Accessibility is not a one-time task; it is part of how we plan, build, and maintain digital content.
Our pages are designed with screen-reader support in mind. Where possible, we use semantic headings, descriptive labels, and meaningful text alternatives so assistive technologies can interpret the page structure accurately. We also aim to avoid unnecessary visual-only cues, since information should not depend on colour alone. When interactive features are introduced, we consider whether they can be announced clearly and understood in context by users relying on assistive software.
Keyboard accessibility is another important part of our approach. Visitors should be able to move through key content and functions using a keyboard alone, with a logical focus order and visible focus indicators. We strive to ensure that interactive elements can be reached, activated, and dismissed without requiring a mouse. Where movement, timing, or dynamic content may affect usability, we aim to make those experiences predictable and manageable.
How we improve accessibility
Accessibility is supported through a combination of design choices, content review, and technical checks. We use clear heading hierarchies to help users navigate quickly, and we try to write in plain language wherever possible. Readable content is especially important for users with cognitive differences, screen magnification needs, or limited time to scan a page. We also review link text so it is descriptive outside of its surrounding context.
We pay attention to forms, buttons, and other controls so they are labelled consistently and can be identified by assistive technologies. In addition, we monitor colour contrast, text resizing, and spacing to support users who adjust their browser settings. Accessible area improvements may include layout refinements, clearer content patterns, and better support for devices with different input methods. These adjustments help create a more inclusive experience across the site.
Known limitations and ongoing work
Although we aim to meet the highest practical standard, some areas may still need refinement. Certain older content or third-party elements may not yet fully match our accessibility goals. In those cases, we work to identify the issue, assess impact, and improve the affected content where feasible. Our aim is to reduce barriers progressively and to prioritise issues that affect core tasks or essential information.
If you encounter an accessibility barrier, you may contact us with details of the issue and the page or feature involved. Accessibility requests help us understand what needs attention, whether the concern relates to keyboard access, screen-reader behaviour, contrast, focus order, or another usability challenge. We review these requests carefully so we can improve the experience for all users and address problems in a meaningful way.
We recognise that accessibility requirements can vary, and a flexible response is often the most effective. For example, a user may need content presented in a different format, a clearer explanation of a control, or support for a specific assistive technology. We consider these needs as part of our broader accessibility process and use them to guide future updates.
Accessibility requests and review
When an accessibility request is made, we aim to assess it promptly and determine the most appropriate response. This may involve reviewing the content structure, checking the relevant page in a keyboard-only workflow, or testing with a screen reader to verify behaviour. Our goal is not only to resolve individual concerns, but also to identify patterns that can improve the overall user experience. In this way, accessibility becomes a continuous improvement process rather than a static statement.
We also encourage internal review of new content before publication, so accessibility considerations are built in from the start. This includes checking heading order, ensuring visible labels, and confirming that interactive elements are usable by a wider range of people. A well-maintained accessible website benefits visitors who use assistive tools, people on mobile devices, and anyone who prefers a clearer, more consistent interface.
This statement reflects our current accessibility intentions and our ongoing commitment to improvement. We will continue to assess the site against recognised standards, strengthen usability for assistive technology users, and refine keyboard navigation across content and functionality. Our aim is to support a more inclusive digital experience for everyone, with practical accessibility measures that are visible in everyday use.
