Accessibility and Usability
Web Site Accessibility Statement
Gwalia is committed to producing web sites that are in line with current guidelines on usability and accessibility. We firmly believe that our information and services should be accessible to all and we always work towards the production of our current sites in line with the W3C Web Accessibility Guidelines Double A standard. We have worked with expert user testers at the pan-disability charity Shaw Trust to get feedback on our sites so that we can better meet the requirements of all our users. Future sites will be developed in line with contemporary guidelines on usability and accessibility.
Access Keys
Although the W3C recommends providing keyboard shortcuts or 'access keys' to important links, there is widespread debate about whether they actually act to increase accessibility standards or conflict with them. We have chosen not to implement access keys into the accessible design of this site for several reasons:
- There is no set of global standards for what link should use which access key, meaning that for each site, a new key system must be learnt. Any implementation of a common standard would be flawed as not all sites have the same links, designs or layouts.
- Access keys have been known to interfere with access devices since most assistive technology (such as screenreaders or special browsers) already include keyboard commands, some of which use the Alt key which negates the benefit of Access keys.
- Access keys can act to hinder access if poorly implemented, therefore interfering with web accessibility.
PDF Statement
Portable Document Format or PDF is a recognised standard file format for distributing electronic documents. The majority of our online documents are hosted in this format and have been created so that content is extractable by Screen Readers. PDFs can be accessed by anyone who has installed Adobe Reader software, which is freely available for download on the internet. Adobe also provides an online PDF to HTML conversion tool.
Gwalia recognises that some users may still experience difficulties in navigating PDF files and in the future we will work to resolve this through the use of accessible PDFs. In the meantime, if you encounter a problem accessing our online documents, please email us at enquiries@gwalia.com or call the web team on 01792 460609 and we will aim to provide documentation or information in an alternative format.
*Please note we are unable to provide support for Adobe Reader or the PDF to HTML Conversion Tool. Users experiencing difficulties with these applications should contact Adobe.
PAS 78
The Disability Rights Commission has worked with the British Standards Institute to develop a Publicly Available Specification for accessible websites (PAS 78). We expect that the work we are doing with the Shaw Trust will mean that upon completion our upgraded sites will meet PAS 78 requirements. If not, we will undertake a further programme of development to ensure compliance.
As always, Gwalia welcomes any feedback that our users feel they would like to give and would be happy to hear from anyone encountering any issues with the site, either with accessibility, usability or any general feedback given in response the issue of access. We will do our best to implement further changes that arise in accordance with any such feedback.
Contact the web team regarding accessibility issues
Other Languages
Grŵp Gwalia does its best to provide language assistance to make it's services as accessible as possible. To help with communication, Gwalia uses the 24hour Language Line which offers telephone interpretation in many languages. Gwalia reception staff are happy to help anyone facing a language barrier to use this service.
It should be noted that in some instances, where the aim to provide an accessible site conflicts with Grŵp Gwalia's aim to make acceptable language provisions on the site, Gwalia has done as much as possible to accommodate both objectives. We are hopeful that we have made full provision for the Welsh language on this site, in line with the organisation's Welsh Language Policy (PDF 154 KB) and we are looking to make further provision for other languages on this site at a later date.
Babel Fish Translation Page
In the meantime, to translate a page of information from the Gwalia web site, highlight the website address text in your address bar and press 'Ctrl+C' on your keyboard. Visit the Babel Fish Translation page from Altavista and click your cursor into the 'Translate a Web page' box and press 'Ctrl+V'. Select the language you would like the page information translated into and click Translate.
Using this page you will be able to translate the webpage content from English to: Chinese-Simple, Chinese-Traditional, Dutch, Greek, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portugese, Russian, Spanish.
Other Language Families
Arabic: For translation of the website content into Arabic, please visit the Sakhr website where you will need to create an account and register with Sakhr first.
Please note that as third party web translation services, Gwalia cannot be held responsible for the content of the above sites.
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Different Formats
Gwalia understands that in many instances, the standard format in which we produce letters and other documentation may not be suitable for everyone. Some people may need a larger font size while others may prefer to receive information in audio format and many people need inforation in a different language. Gwalia can produce information in other formats and languages upon request although there may be a short waiting period for the information. We can produce information in:
Other languages
Large print
Audio CD / File
Braille
Email/Electronic documents
