Tuesday 24 March 2009
12.00hrs
Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) has become the first
fire and rescue service in the country to receive one of the
highest awards for web accessibility - Shaw Trust's ‘Accessible
Plus’ accreditation.
Lorraine Abrahams, AF&RS Director of Service Improvement,
said: “Shaw Trust accreditation focuses on accessibility, opening
up online services to all users. It is a legal requirement
that Public Sector websites are accessible to all users, but more
importantly it makes common and moral sense to eliminate any
barriers to the vital safety information on our website.”
AF&RS worked with Shaw Trust, a charity and recognised
leader in the field of website accessibility, throughout the
project. Their team of website testers, who have a range of
disabilities, rigorously tested the site at a number of stages,
providing AF&RS with invaluable advice throughout.
People with certain disabilities find areas of the internet
difficult or impossible to use, for example if they have low vision
or are colour blind; or if they have motor difficulties and cannot
use a mouse.
Shaw Trust tester, Jaime Purvis, a low-vision website user
explains: ‘’Like everyone else, I want to be able to explore the
internet. The more developers become aware of the issues we come
across, the better chance they have of making websites that are
accessible to all.’’
Lorraine Abrahams agreed: "In order to make our website
accessible we needed to understand these barriers. This helped us
open up the site to users with disabilities, while at the same time
making it a more user friendly experience for all, regardless of
ability."
Shaw Trust is able to provide thorough and effective assessment
thanks to its team of website testers who have a range of
disabilities including motor difficulties, dyslexia, low vision, no
vision, learning difficulties, autism, hearing difficulties and
colour blindness. Their findings and recommendations ensured that
AF&RS's site is accessible in real terms and does not just
comply with regulations. The site will undergo a yearly
assessment to ensure it complies with strict guidelines.
View our Accessible Plus
certificate