Accessibility

The standard we aim for

We aim to meet WCAG 2.2 at level AA. That is the benchmark used across the public sector and the one most commonly referenced when accessibility is assessed. We believe this site substantially meets it, and we would rather hear where it does not than assume it does.

What we have done

• Every page works from the keyboard alone, with a visible outline showing where you are.
• A skip link at the top of each page jumps past the navigation.
• Headings are properly structured, so screen reader users can move through a page by section.
• Text and background colours meet the AA contrast requirement.
• Buttons, links and form fields are large enough to tap accurately on a phone.
• Text resizes up to 200% without content being lost or overlapping.
• Form fields have real labels, not placeholder text standing in for them.
• Nothing moves, flashes or auto-plays, and animation is suppressed if your device asks for reduced motion.
• The site works without JavaScript.

We have also written the content in plain language, kept sentences short, and avoided legal terminology where an ordinary word does the job. Readability is an accessibility issue, and in this area of law it may be the most important one.

What we know isn't perfect

• Some legal terms have no plain equivalent. Where we have to use one — conditional order, parental responsibility, consent order — we explain it at first use, but the pages still demand a reasonable reading level.
• Documents published as PDFs elsewhere, such as court forms, are outside our control and may not be accessible.
• We have tested with keyboard navigation, screen magnification and automated checking tools. We have not yet carried out a full audit with users of assistive technology.

Other formats

We can provide anything on this site — including our complaints procedure and our fee information — in large print, as plain text, or read to you over the phone. Ask and we will send it. There is no charge and you do not need to explain why.

If coming to the office is difficult, we can meet by video call or arrange a home visit.

Telling us about a problem

If something on this site does not work for you, we want to know. Tell us what you were trying to do and what happened, and roughly what you were using if you know — a phone, a screen reader, a particular browser. We will fix it and let you know when we have.