Accessibility Statement

This statement applies to content published on the www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk domain. It does not apply to content on staffordshirefire.gov.uk subdomains.

This website is run by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. It is designed to be used by as many people as possible. The text should be clear and simple to understand. You should be able to:

• zoom in up to 300% without problems
• navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
• navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
• use most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)

We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to making its websites accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Some pages that include pagination navigation have a missing keyboard focus indicator. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.7 (Focus Visible). We aim to fix this issue by 28 October 2023.

Some forms fields have a label not associated with the HTML form element, making it difficult for screen readers to read correctly. This fails WCAG 2.1 criterion 4.1.2 success criterion (Name, Role, Value). We aim to fix this issue by 28 October 2023.

PDFs and non-HTML documents

Some documents are not accessible in a number of ways including missing text alternatives and missing document structure. We are in the process of replacing or fixing these to provide accessible versions. We aim to fix these issues by 28 October 2023.

With a few exceptions, all new PDFs or non-HTML documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

We believe that fixing the accessibility problems with some content would fall under disproportionate burden.

• There are some instances of third-party interactive material embedded into our web pages that we have no control over in regards to accessibility
• Adding subtitles to existing media created before 2018
• Updating some pdfs after 2018, this is an ongoing project due to the large amount of previously published pdfs but strive to have these corrected during 2023

Non-HTML documents published before September 2018 do not need to be accessible - unless users need them to use a service.

Our website is currently tested for compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines V2.1 level A and level AA using the SiteImprove automated accessibility service.

We are urgently fixing content which fails to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard. We will update this page as and when issues are fixed.

As an organisation, we aim to move away from uploading PDFs to the website where feasible in favour of displaying relevant information in a HTML format to improve user experience. This is a key part of our services accessibility strategy written in 2023.

Tell us if you need information in a different format.

In your message, include:

• the web address (URL) of the content
• your email address and name
• the format you need - for example, plain text, accessible PDF, large print, or audio recording

We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 10 working days.

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact us.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’).

If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

This statement was prepared on 12 December 2022. It was last reviewed on 24 February 2023.

This website was last tested on 22 February 2023. The test was carried out by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service using third-party accessibility tools.

We will review our accessibility statement on a regular basis to ensure accuracy, at least once per year.