Accessibility Statement

1. Our Commitment to Accessibility

4D Plant Hire Limited ("Company") is committed to ensuring our website is accessible to all users, including people with disabilities. We recognize the importance of digital accessibility and are continuously working to improve the user experience for everyone.

This Accessibility Statement outlines our commitment, the standards we follow, and what we're doing to ensure our website is inclusive and usable by all individuals.

2. Standards and Compliance

2.1 WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance

Our website is designed and developed to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standard, the internationally recognized benchmark for web accessibility. This means our website aims to be:

• Perceivable: Content is visible and audible to all users, with text alternatives for images and multimedia
• Operable: Users can navigate using keyboard, voice, and assistive technologies
• Understandable: Content is clear, organized, and uses plain language where possible
• Robust: Website code is compatible with assistive technologies and various devices/browsers

2.2 Legal Requirements

Our accessibility efforts comply with UK legislation including:

• Equality Act 2010 (Public Sector Equality Duty)
• Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018
• UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

3. Accessibility Features

3.1 Visual Design

• High contrast text and background colors (WCAG AA minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio)
• Resizable text that scales up to 200% without loss of functionality
• Clear visual focus indicators for keyboard navigation
• Color is never the only means of conveying information
• No flashing content that could trigger seizures

3.2 Navigation and Structure

• Clear page structure with semantic HTML headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
• Consistent navigation menus and site structure
• Logical tab order for keyboard navigation
• Skip links to bypass repetitive navigation
• Breadcrumb navigation where appropriate
• Page title accurately describes page content

3.3 Text and Language

• Clear, simple language avoiding jargon where possible
• Page language declared (English) for screen readers
• Form labels clearly associated with input fields
• Error messages that clearly identify the problem
• Readable font sizes and line spacing

3.4 Images and Media

• Descriptive alt text for all images and icons
• Captions for video content
• Transcripts for audio content
• Decorative images marked with empty alt text

3.5 Forms and Input

• Clear form labels and instructions
• Error identification and suggestions for correction
• Ability to submit forms using keyboard only
• Confirmation before major actions (submit, delete, etc.)

3.6 Keyboard Navigation

• All functionality accessible via keyboard (no mouse required)
• Logical tab order through interactive elements
• Visible focus indicators (highlighted borders/backgrounds)
• No keyboard traps (ability to move focus away from elements)

3.7 Assistive Technology Support

• Compatible with screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
• Compatible with voice control software
• Proper ARIA labels and roles where needed
• Semantic HTML used throughout

4. Browser and Device Support

Our website is designed to work with:

• Modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, recent versions)
• Mobile and tablet devices
• Desktop and laptop computers
• Assistive technologies including screen readers and speech recognition software

If you experience compatibility issues with your browser or device, please contact us to report the problem.

5. Known Limitations

While we strive for full accessibility, the following limitations may exist:

• Third-party embeds: Some embedded content (maps, social media widgets) may have limited accessibility. We provide alternative information where possible.
• PDF documents: Some PDF files may not be fully accessible. We aim to provide HTML alternatives for important documents.
• Legacy content: Older website content may not meet full accessibility standards. We are working to update this content progressively.
• User-generated content: We cannot guarantee the accessibility of content uploaded by third parties, though we encourage accessibility standards.

We are continuously working to address these limitations and improve overall accessibility.

6. Using Assistive Technologies

6.1 Screen Readers

Screen readers convert on-screen text to speech or braille. Popular options include:

• NVDA (Windows): Free, open-source screen reader
• JAWS (Windows): Industry standard commercial screen reader
• VoiceOver (Mac/iOS): Built-in Apple screen reader
• TalkBack (Android): Built-in Android screen reader

6.2 Browser Extensions

Accessibility extensions can enhance website usability:

• Browser zoom tools for magnification
• Color contrast analyzers
• Text-to-speech extensions

7. Testing and Evaluation

We regularly test our website for accessibility using:

• Automated accessibility testing tools (WAVE, Axe, Lighthouse)
• Manual testing with assistive technologies
• User feedback from people with disabilities
• Quarterly accessibility audits

Testing includes evaluation of HTML code, color contrast, keyboard navigation, and screen reader compatibility.

8. Statement Compliance

9. Accessibility Issues

If you discover accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please report them to us immediately. We will:

• Acknowledge your report within 2 business days
• Investigate and document the issue
• Work to resolve the issue promptly
• Provide you with a status update on remediation efforts

To report an accessibility issue, contact:

10. Reasonable Adjustments and Alternative Access

If you cannot access information or services on our website due to a disability, we will provide reasonable alternative access methods, including:

• Providing information in alternative formats (large print, Braille, audio)
• Arranging telephone support for online transactions
• Providing accessible documents or forms by email
• Offering personal assistance or support with using our services

Please contact our team to arrange alternative access to any of our services.

11. Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Your feedback is valuable to us. We are committed to continuous improvement and regularly:

• Review accessibility feedback and bug reports
• Prioritize and resolve reported accessibility issues
• Update content and functionality to improve accessibility
• Train staff on accessibility best practices
• Monitor new accessibility standards and technologies

We welcome suggestions for improvements and will consider user input in future updates.

12. Accessibility Complaint Procedure

If you have an accessibility issue that cannot be resolved, you may lodge a formal complaint:

1. Submit your complaint: Email accessibility@4dplanthire.co.uk with details of the issue
2. Receive confirmation: We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 business days
3. Investigation: We will investigate the matter and document our findings
4. Resolution: We will outline remediation steps or explain why the issue cannot be resolved
5. Review: You can request a review if you're unsatisfied with our response

If you remain dissatisfied, you can escalate your complaint to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

13. Resources for Users with Disabilities

We recommend the following resources for users with disabilities:

• W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) - Accessibility guidelines and resources
• UK Government - Assistive Technology Guide
• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) - Support for visually impaired users
• Scope - Disability equality information