Accessibility
Accessibility statement for Kent Fire and Rescue Service
This accessibility statement applies to https://www.kent.fire-uk.org
This is the website of the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS). We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. To do this you should be able to:
- change colours, contrast levels and fonts
- zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
- navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
- listen to 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.
We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand by:
- using simple content (plain English and with minimal public sector or fire and rescue service terminology)
- Updating our most recent PDFs to HTML reports
- minimising use of images and where these are needed, to have meaningful captions
- ensuring alerts (pop up messages) do not adversely interfere with a user requiring keyboard control or screen reading software
- no use of Captcha unless there is a compelling reason to
How accessible this website is
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:
- some PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software
- some videos do not have captions
- some images may contain text
We are working towards reducing the number of PDF and Word documents and making as many as possible available on the website itself in HTML format or online forms.
Feedback and contact information
If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:
- Email enquiries@kent.fire-uk.org
- Call 01622 692 121
We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 7 days.
If you cannot view the map on our ‘contact us’ page, call or email us for directions.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
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, contact: feedback@kent.fire-uk.org.
What to do if you can’t access parts of this website
If you need information on this website provided in a different format or you have found inaccessible content not on this list please email feedback@kent.fire-uk.org and we will get back to you within 48 hours.
Enforcement procedure
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).
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
KFRS is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Compliance status
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.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
None
Disproportionate burden
Publishing of some documents and reports in an accessible format
Currently, the documents that it is not possible to routinely convert to accessible HTML format include:
- The full audited statement of accounts (an accessible summary statement of accounts is available)
- KMFRA committee papers (including agendas, reports and their appendices)
This is due to the nature of the content being either prohibitively lengthy or presenting complex financial information or performance data which we do not have the resource to convert.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
PDFs and other documents
Some of our PDFs and Word documents are essential to providing our services. For example, we have PDFs with information on how users can access our services, and forms published as Word documents.
The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services. Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.
Live video
We do not plan to add captions to live video streams because live video is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on Monday 1 November 2021. It was last reviewed on Friday 4 November 2022.
This website was last tested on Monday 31 October 2022 and is scheduled weekly. The test was carried out by automated testing reporting included in the Reachdeck Auditor tool from Texthelp. Our content management system includes the Editorially tool which helps to identify common content-related accessibility issues during the content creation process that can then be fixed prior to publication by the author.
Annual testing and reporting is provided by our service provider Civic Computing Limited.
We use their recommended approach to deciding on a sample of pages to test.
Using the Reachdeck toolbar to listen to or translate this website
Whether you are using a smartphone, tablet, PC or Mac, the Reachdeck toolbar will provide the reading support tools you require for free.
Reachdeck is a suite of products that provides reading support on websites. Reachdeck reads website content out loud, highlighting each word as it is spoken in a high quality, human-sounding voice.
Other features include:
- Dual-colour highlighting
- Text magnification
- Talking dictionary
- Talking translator
- MP3 maker
- Screen masking
- Secure site reading
- PDF reading
- International languages
More than 7,000 websites use Reachdeck, so once you have it on your device you can listen to all of these websites too.
Who does Reachdeck help?
Reachdeck helps website visitors who require online reading support and those who simply prefer to listen to information instead of reading it. Reachdeck is particularly useful for those with print disabilities such as dyslexia or mild visual impairments and those with English as a second language.
How do I get Reachdeck?
Click on the Speak icon at the top of this website to launch the Reachdeck toolbar. This toolbar provides instant high quality speech at the touch of a button - no need to download anything.
The Reachdeck toolbar
The Reachdeck toolbar has a number of functions, summarised in the image shown with tool tips on hover and listed from left to right:
- Hover to speak mode - starts reading the page out loud - this feature is on by default
- Speak the current selection - starts reading selected text or reads from the top of the page
- Translate this page - provides written and spoken translations in multiple languages
- Picture dictionary - uses simple images to help explain the meaning of a selected word
- Generate MP3 - converts selected text into an MP3 audio file
- Screen mask - blocks distractions on screen with a tinted mask
- Text magnifier - enlarges text and reads it out loud
- Simplify text - removes clutter from the screen, displaying only the main text
- Settings - customise options to suit individual needs or preferences
- Help - show a simple help page that explains what the Browsealoud toolbar does
For full details on how to use Reachdeck, please use the support links below.
Support with using Reachdeck
A full range of support services are provided for Reachdeck: