1. Our Commitment to Accessibility

Akaal Care Services Limited is committed to ensuring that our services — including our website, digital content, and interactions with tenants, partner organisations, charities, and other stakeholders — are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, disability, or technology.

We recognise that accessibility goes beyond legal compliance — it is a reflection of our values of dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all. We strive to create an inclusive environment for:

• People receiving care or housing support
• Tenants and service users with a range of needs
• Charities and voluntary sector partners we work with
• Local authorities, social care teams, and health services
• Staff, volunteers, and community members

This Accessibility Statement outlines the steps we are taking and how you can get in touch with us if you experience any barriers when accessing our services or information.

2. Legal Framework and Standards

We are guided by the following legal and technical standards:

• Equality Act 2010 – obligating us to make reasonable adjustments
• The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 – used as a model of best practice
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 – we aim to meet Level AA compliance wherever feasible

These principles also inform how we work with third parties, including our partners and suppliers.

3. What We Are Doing to Improve Accessibility
4. a) Inclusive Design and Layout

• High-contrast, legible fonts and accessible colour schemes
• Text resizable up to 200% without breaking page layout
• Mobile and tablet-friendly responsive design

1. b) Navigation and Structure

• Clear, consistent heading structures and page hierarchy
• Full keyboard accessibility
• Visible and logical focus indicators for navigation

1. c) Media and Content

• Descriptive alt text for all informative images
• No flashing or blinking content
• Subtitles and transcripts provided where possible for video/audio

1. d) Forms and Interactivity

• Forms labelled clearly for screen reader use
• Accessible error messages and help text
• Descriptive button/link text for clear actions

1. e) Testing and Maintenance

• Ongoing audits using tools such as:
  • WAVE
  • Google Lighthouse
  • Axe DevTools
• Feedback from real users, tenants, and partners to guide improvements

4. Working With Tenants, Partners, and Charities

Accessibility is embedded in how we work across our network. We:

• Provide support materials in accessible formats (e.g. Easy Read, large print, translated copies) for tenants, carers, and partners
• Ensure accessibility is considered in co-produced services with community and charity partners
• Offer training and guidance for partners and subcontractors on digital and service accessibility
• Consult with service users and disability groups when designing service pathways, events, or resources
• Ensure venues for meetings, training, or tenant engagement are physically accessible

We are committed to removing barriers not only online, but in the services we deliver and in how we collaborate with others.

5. Known Accessibility Limitations

We are actively working to resolve the following:

• Legacy PDF or downloadable content not fully accessible to screen readers
• Some third-party embedded tools (e.g., external video players, maps)
• Older documents or pages with inconsistent heading structure

A phased improvement plan is in place, prioritising the most-used content.

6. Feedback and Contact Information

If you or someone you support has difficulty accessing our content, or would like materials in alternative formats (e.g., Braille, audio, Easy Read), please contact us:

📧 Email: Contact@akaalcareservices.com
📍 Write to:
Akaal Care Services Limited
Unit 7-8 Freeth St, Birmingham, B16 0QZ

We will acknowledge all accessibility-related enquiries within 3 working days and aim to provide a full response within 10 working days.