We are dedicated to ensuring that our services are accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. We have committed to make our website user-friendly and accessible, driven by our firm belief that every person deserves to live with dignity, equality, comfort, and independence.

Compliance Status

We are devoted to making the internet accessible to all, regardless of ability. We are committed to providing a website that serves the widest possible audience and strive to comply as closely as possible with the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.

Screen-Reader and Keyboard Navigation

Our website incorporates ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) and implements various behavioural modifications to ensure that users who are blind or visually impaired can fully interact with our content using screen-readers. Upon entering the Family Court Library website, screen-reader users are prompted to activate a Screen-Reader Profile, allowing them to navigate and use the site efficiently.

Screen-Reader Optimisation

We employ a continuous process that analyses the website’s structure to maintain accessibility, even during updates. This includes providing meaningful data to screen-readers through ARIA attributes, such as accurate form labels, descriptions for interactive icons (e.g., social media, search, and cart icons), form input validation guidance, and clear element roles for buttons, menus, and popups.

Additionally, our background system scans all website images to provide precise, image-object-recognition-based descriptions as ALT (alternate text) tags for un-described images. It also uses OCR (optical character recognition) technology to extract embedded text from images. Users can activate screen-reader adjustments at any time by pressing the Alt+1 key combination. Screen-reader mode is automatically announced to users upon entering the site.

These features are compatible with widely used screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.

Disability Profiles Supported on Our Website

Our website offers customised accessibility profiles to support users with various needs, including:

Epilepsy Safe Profile

Removes the risk of seizures caused by flashing or blinking animations and unsafe colour combinations.

Vision Impaired Profile

Adapts the site for users with visual impairments, such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, and Glaucoma.

Cognitive Disability Profile

Helps users with cognitive challenges, like Autism and Dyslexia, focus on key content.

ADHD Friendly Profile

Minimises distractions to support users with ADHD and Neuro developmental disorders.

Blind Users Profile (Screen-Readers)

Ensures full compatibility with screen-readers like JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.

Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired)

Enables users who rely on keyboard navigation to interact with the website effectively.

Additional UI, Design, and Readability Adjustments

To improve accessibility and enhance user experience, we provide a range of customisation options, including:

– Font adjustments for size, style, spacing, alignment, and line height.
– Colour adjustments for contrast and various colour profiles.
– Animation disabling for users with epilepsy or visual sensitivities.
– Content highlighting for links and titles, along with focus indicators for active elements.
– Audio muting to avoid interference with hearing aids.
– Integration with a linked search engine to clarify phrases and jargon.
– Cursor size and colour customisation, a printing mode, and a virtual keyboard.

Assistive Technology and Browser Compatibility

We are committed to supporting a broad range of browsers and assistive technologies, targeting over 95% of the user market share. This includes compatibility with:

– Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera, and Microsoft Edge.
– Screen-readers such as JAWS and NVDA for both Windows and MAC users.

Our goal is to ensure that everyone can access and benefit from the resources and services provided by the Virtual Family Court is dedicated to ensuring that our services are accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities.