Our Commitment
The Disability Resource Centre is committed to ensuring that our website (drcbeds.org.uk) is accessible to all people, including those with disabilities. We believe that digital accessibility is essential to our mission of supporting disabled people and ensuring equal access to information and services.
We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our website and services. This statement describes the current state of our website's accessibility, the standards we aim to meet, and the actions we are taking to improve accessibility.
Conformance Status
Our website aims to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standard. WCAG 2.1 is an internationally recognized set of accessibility guidelines published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
Our website also complies with the UK Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018, which implements the European Accessibility Directive and applies to public sector organizations including many charities.
Current Status: We are working towards full WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance. While much of our website meets these standards, there may be some areas where we are still making improvements.
Accessibility Features
Our website includes the following accessibility features:
- Keyboard Navigation: The entire website can be navigated using keyboard controls alone, without requiring a mouse
- Text Alternatives: All images include descriptive alt text to describe their content and function
- Clear Structure: Pages use proper heading hierarchies (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to organize content logically
- Color Contrast: Text has sufficient contrast against background colors, meeting WCAG AA standards
- Readable Fonts: We use clear, readable sans-serif fonts and avoid text blocks that are too small
- Form Labels: All form fields have clear, associated labels for screen reader users
- Skip Links: Skip navigation links allow users to jump directly to main content
- ARIA Landmarks: We use ARIA roles and landmarks to help assistive technology users navigate the site
- Accessible PDF: Where possible, PDFs are formatted to be accessible to screen readers
- Link Text: Links have descriptive text that clearly indicates where they lead
- Focus Indicators: Keyboard focus is always clearly visible for users navigating by keyboard
- Plain Language: We use clear, plain language to make our content easier to understand
Known Issues
We are aware of the following accessibility issues on our website that we are actively working to resolve:
- Legacy PDF Documents: Some older PDF documents in our resource library may not yet be fully accessible. We are converting these to accessible formats
- Embedded Videos: Some video content does not yet include captions. We are adding captions to all videos
- Complex Tables: Some complex data tables require improved accessibility markup. We are redesigning these for better clarity
- Third-Party Tools: Some third-party forms or embedded content may have accessibility limitations beyond our direct control, but we are working with vendors to improve them
What We're Doing About It
We have an ongoing accessibility improvement program that includes:
- Regular Audits: We conduct regular accessibility audits of our website to identify issues
- Automated Testing: We use automated accessibility testing tools to identify technical accessibility problems
- User Testing: We test our website with disabled users and assistive technology to identify real-world barriers
- Staff Training: Our team receives training on accessible design and development practices
- Accessibility Standard: Accessibility requirements are built into all new website development and updates
- Vendor Requirements: We require our technology vendors to maintain accessibility standards
- Content Review: We regularly review our content for accessibility and clarity
- Roadmap: We have a documented accessibility improvement roadmap with timelines for resolving known issues
Technical Information
Technologies Used: Our website is built using HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript with accessibility best practices. We use semantic HTML to ensure proper document structure.
Assistive Technology Support: Our website has been tested with the following assistive technologies:
- NVDA (open source screen reader for Windows)
- JAWS (commercial screen reader for Windows)
- VoiceOver (built-in screen reader for Mac and iOS)
- Keyboard navigation on Windows and Mac
- Browser zoom and text resizing
- Windows High Contrast Mode
Browser Compatibility: We support accessibility features in all major browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
Feedback & Contact
We value your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you experience difficulty accessing any part of our website, or if you have suggestions for improvements, please contact us.
Tell us:
- What page or feature you were trying to use
- What difficulty you experienced
- What assistive technology or browser you were using
- How we can help you access the information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (to be added)
Address: Poynters House, Poynters Road, Dunstable, LU5 4GD
We will respond to accessibility feedback within 5 working days and will work with you to resolve the issue.
Enforcement Procedure
If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility complaint, you may contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) or raise the matter with Ofcom, which oversees accessibility standards in the UK.
Equality and Human Rights Commission: The EHRC can investigate complaints about accessibility under the Equality Act 2010.
Ofcom: Ofcom regulates accessibility and can enforce compliance with accessibility regulations.
More information about your rights and how to make a complaint can be found on the EHRC website at equalities.gov.uk and the Ofcom website at ofcom.org.uk.
Accessibility Resources
If you need assistance using our website or accessing our information, we offer the following support:
- Document Conversion: We can convert documents into alternative formats (large print, Braille, audio, accessible PDF)
- Alternative Access: We can provide information by phone or in person if you cannot access our website
- Communication Support: We can arrange BSL interpreters, speech-to-text support, or other communication aids
- Assistance: Our staff can help you navigate our website or services
Please contact us if you need any of these supports.
Standards and Legislation
We are committed to compliance with the following:
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA
- UK Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018
- The Equality Act 2010 (Disability Discrimination)
- The Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010
Statement History
Last Updated: 2026
This accessibility statement is reviewed annually and updated to reflect improvements made to our website. Previous versions are available upon request.