Accessibility
Around ten per cent of web users have a disability that affects how
they use their computers.
This includes people with:
- visual impairments, for example, blindness or low vision
- colour blindness
- hearing difficulties, for example, deafness or hard of hearing
- motor disabilities
- cognitive and neurological difficulties, for example, dyslexia, dyscalculia, epilepsy
and attention deficit disorder.
It is important to consider accessibility issues when designing websites
so that people with disabilities can use them.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Disability Discrimination Order
(Northern Ireland) 2006, we also have a legal obligation to make our website accessible
to all.
Our website and accessibility
Our website has been designed with accessibility in mind.
It complies with recommendations for UK government websites and Web Accessibility
Initiative guidelines supplied by the World Wide Web Consortium.
This �marks� the site on a range of criteria, including:
- how easy it is to find information
- how well-structured the site is
- how clear and readable our content is
- how it meets the requirements of those using adaptive or alternative technologies
such as screen readers and access keys
- whether images and downloadable files are accessible to those with disabilities.
Our site is also tested regularly to ensure it meets level AA standard
of the Web Accessibility Initiative guidelines.
Benefits of accessibility
There are many advantages to making our website accessible.
These include:
- easier to use - clear navigation, well-written content and good colour contrast
makes the site easier to use for everyone
- bigger audience - making our site accessible means more people are able to visit
it
- environmentally-friendly - an accessible website reduces the need for alternate
formats like large-print documents
- it�s the right thing to do - an accessible website shows that we are committed to
making our services available to as many people as possible.
Your feedback
We are working hard to make our site as accessible as possible.
However, we welcome your feedback if you feel there are areas of the site which
need to be improved.
please contact the webmaster@merseyfire.gov.uk with you thoughts