Accessibility Statement

About this website

This accessibility statement applies to content published at www.kent.fire-uk.org.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is responsible for this website. We want as many people as possible to be able to use it. This includes people with sensory, cognitive or physical access needs.

You should be able to:

  • change colours, contrast levels and font sizes using built-in browser settings
  • navigate most of the website using a keyboard
  • navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
  • listen to most of the website using screen readers
  • read the content in a clear and consistent format

How to change the language of this website

You can translate our content using Elfsight Website Translator. It appears on every page of the site. It provides a simple way to read content in different languages.

We use analytics to understand how often the translation feature is used. We do not use this information to identify you.

We no longer use the Recite Me accessibility toolbar.

How accessible this website is

Most of this website is accessible. For example, you can:

  • navigate most pages without a mouse
  • zoom in without losing access to most content
  • move through most pages in a logical reading order
  • use assistive technology with most core content

Some parts are not fully accessible. These issues are listed below.

Support for making your device easier to use

We recognise that many users rely on accessibility features built into operating systems and browsers. For guidance on how to enable and customise features such as zoom, contrast, keyboard navigation, speech recognition and screen reading, see AbilityNet’s My Computer My Way, a UK-based resource with step-by-step instructions for major devices and operating systems.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

PDFs and other documents

Some PDFs and other documents published on this website do not meet accessibility standards. For example, some documents:

  • are not tagged correctly
  • do not have a clear heading structure
  • contain images without meaningful text alternatives
  • have complex layouts that do not reflow or resize well

Depending on the document, these issues may fail WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and relationships) and other relevant success criteria.

We are reviewing these documents and will prioritise content needed for essential services, statutory duties and frequently used public information. When we publish new documents, we aim to make them accessible or provide the information in accessible HTML where appropriate.

Third-party tools and components

Some third-party tools and components that we fund, develop or control may not fully meet WCAG 2.2 AA. This can include some mapping, form and embedded-content components.

We are reviewing these components with suppliers and will update this statement when issues are resolved or when further accessibility problems are identified.

If you need information from one of these tools in an accessible format, contact us using the details below.

Disproportionate burden

We have not currently made a claim of disproportionate burden in this statement.

If we decide that making particular content or functionality accessible would be a disproportionate burden, we will carry out and document the assessment required by the accessibility regulations before making that claim, and we will explain the decision here.

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

PDFs and other documents published before 23 September 2018

The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other office documents published before 23 September 2018 if they are not essential to providing our services or carrying out an active administrative process.

This may include older:

  • fire safety guidance and legacy safety leaflets
  • consultation documents
  • strategic plans and previous annual reports
  • incident statistics reports
  • policies and procedural documents
  • archived meeting papers
  • forms and templates that are no longer used for an active service or process

If you need one of these documents in an accessible format, contact us and we will consider what reasonable adjustment we can provide.

Live audio and video

Live audio and video are exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

Third-party content outside our control

The accessibility regulations do not apply to third-party content that is neither funded nor developed by, nor under the control of, Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

If this type of content creates an accessibility barrier, contact us and we will try to provide the essential information in an accessible alternative format.

What we are doing to improve accessibility

We carry out regular checks of the website and fix accessibility issues where possible. We also plan longer-term improvements where changes depend on templates, suppliers or wider technical work.

We are continuing to:

  • replace older documents with accessible HTML where this is the most appropriate format
  • use accessible document templates where a document format is necessary
  • review third-party components and raise accessibility issues with suppliers
  • improve site navigation, structure and heading consistency
  • improve text alternatives for images and other non-text content
  • review new content before publication against our accessibility requirements

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 us.

  • use our Contact us form on the website
  • call us on 01622 692121
  • write to us at:
    Kent Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters
    The Godlands
    Straw Mill Hill
    Tovil
    Maidstone
    Kent
    ME15 6XB

Requesting information in an accessible format

If you need information on this website in a different format, for example accessible PDF, large print, easy read, braille, audio or structured HTML, contact us by:

Tell us the:

  • web address of the content
  • format you need
  • assistive technology you use, if this is relevant to your request

We will consider your request and get back to you as soon as possible.

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.

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

Visit the Equality Advisory and Support Service website.

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Kent Fire and Rescue Service 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

Kent Fire and Rescue Service aims to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard.

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed above.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 1 November 2021. It was last reviewed on 7 September 2026.

We have not carried out a separate formal audit specifically against WCAG 2.2 AA.

We use accessibility checking tools within Drupal, including Editorially, as part of our day-to-day publishing process. Our contracted web suppliers also identify and raise significant accessibility issues with us as part of their ongoing support and maintenance services.

We use these findings, alongside internal checks and previous accessibility testing, to review and improve the accessibility of the website and to update this statement.