This website is run by the RNLI. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

• zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen

We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:

• There are not multiple ways to navigate the site.
• There is no skip to content button.
• The menu cannot be used when text is increased by 200%.
• Some form fields do not have an error message.
• Users are not alerted to errors or required fields when completing the form with a screen reader.
• Some errors are not flagged as errors. 
• Users cannot check their answers before submitting the form.
• Some videos do not have captions or audio description.
• Available spaces does not have sufficient contrast.
• Some links do not have a text alternative.
• Some content is not accessible with a keyboard.
• Some buttons and some of Google maps do not have a focus state.
• Some content is cropped or cannot be used when a mobile device is in landscape orientation.
• Some form fields are not programmatically labelled or use pre-fill text as a label.
• Some instructions are not read out as part of a form field label.
• Some content is not accessible with a screen reader.
• When text is increased to 200% some content becomes clipped, obscured or overlaps and sometimes horizontal scrolling is required.
• Hover states are only indicated by a change in colour.
• Fields with an error message are only indicated by a change in colour.
• Not all images and icons have alt text. Some decorative images do have alt text.
• Some content does not respond to an increase in text size.
• Some content does not have a visible focus when using some screen readers.
• Not all content has the correct HTML or ARIA mark up.
• Some content is less clear when using a screen reader.
• Sometimes the tabbing order in the form can be confusing when using a screen reader.
  
  

What to do if you cannot access parts of this website

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:

• email [email protected]
• call 0300 300 9990 (UK) 
• call 01 895 1800 (Ireland) 

We’ll consider your request and get back to you as soon as possible. 

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact [email protected] or call RNLI Supporter Experience on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

The RNLI is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the WCAG2.0 guidelines.
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.0 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non compliance with the accessibility regulations

Images and Videos

• Some videos do not have captions or audio description. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.2.2 (captions (pre-recorded)) and success criterion 1.2.5 (audio description (pre-recorded)).
• Not all images and icons have alt text. Some decorative images do have alt text. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.1.1 (non-text content).
  
  

Forms

• Fields with an error message are only indicated by a change in colour. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.4.1 (use of colour).
• Some form fields are not programmatically labelled or use pre-fill text as a label. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.3.1 (info and relationships).
• Some instructions are not read out as part of a form field label. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.3.1 (info and relationships).
• Some form fields do not have an error message. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 3.3.1 (error identification).
• Users are not alerted to errors or required fields when completing the form with a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 3.3.1 (error identification) and criterion 1.3.1 (info and relationships).
• Some errors are not flagged as errors. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 3.3.1 (error identification).
• Users cannot check their answers before submitting the form. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 3.3.4 (error prevention (legal, financial, data)).
• AN ARIA presentational element is exposed to assistive technologies. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 4.1.2 (name, role, value).
• Some text is not included in an ARIA landmark. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 4.1.2 (name, role, value).
  
  

Zoom

• When text is increased to 200% some horizontal scrolling is required. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.4.4 (resize text).
• The menu cannot be used when text is increased by 200%. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.4.4 (resize text).
• Some content does not respond to an increase in text size. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.4.4 (resize text).
• Some content becomes clipped, obscured or overlaps when text is increased to 200%. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.4.4 (resize text).
  
  

Navigation

• There is no skip to content button. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 2.4.1 (bypass blocks).
• There are not multiple ways to navigate the site. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 2.4.5 (multiple ways).
• Some content is not accessible with a keyboard. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 2.1.1 (keyboard).
• Some content is not accessible with a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 2.1.1 (keyboard).
• Some content is less clear when using a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships).
  
  

Colour

• Hover states are only indicated by a change in colour. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.4.1 (use of colour).
• Footer, school resources, available spaces and quote text does not have sufficient contrast. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.4.3 (contrast (minimum)).
  
  

Headings and Links

• Not all headings are marked up correctly or structured correctly. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 4.1.1 (parsing).
• Some links do not have a text alternative. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 2.4.4 (link purpose (in context)).
• Some element IDs are not unique. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 4.1.1 (parsing).
  
  

Focus

• Some buttons, accordions and some of Google maps do not have a focus state. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 2.4.7 (focus visible).
• Some content does not have a visible focus when using some screen readers. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 2.4.7 (focus visible).
• Sometimes the tabbing order in the form can be confusing when using a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 2.4.3 (focus order).

How we tested this website

This website was last tested between April and June 2022. The test was carried out by the RNLI Digital Experience team.

We included pages in the main user journeys covering as much functionality as possible in our sample.

We tested:

• our campaign microsite, available at https://swimsafe.org.uk 

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

This statement was prepared on 15th June 2022. It was last updated on 11th January 2023.