Accessibility Policy

Website: www.annieford.co.uk
Review : October 2026
Next review: October 2027, or earlier if the website, relevant guidance or legal requirements change.
 

Our commitment

Annie Ford is committed to making this website and the counselling service it describes as accessible, inclusive and usable as reasonably possible. People should be able to find information, make contact and discuss counselling without avoidable barriers. Accessibility needs differ, so individual requests will be considered respectfully and collaboratively.
 

Professional and legal context

This policy supports practice in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, including respect, putting clients first, working to professional standards, integrity and accountability. It also reflects BACP guidance on reasonable adjustments in private practice. The current 2018 Framework remains mandatory until 3 November 2026, when the BACP Ethical Framework 2026 becomes mandatory. The policy also recognises duties under the Equality Act 2010, including the anticipatory duty of service providers to consider and make reasonable adjustments for disabled people.
 

Website accessibility

The aim is for this website to follow the principles of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at Level AA, where reasonably achievable. These principles require content to be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. This is an accessibility aim and not a formal claim of full conformance unless the website has been independently audited.

 

In maintaining the website, reasonable efforts will be made to:

• use clear language, meaningful headings and a logical reading order;

• provide descriptive link text and text alternatives for meaningful images;

• maintain readable text, adequate colour contrast and information that does not rely on colour alone;

• support keyboard navigation and visible keyboard focus;

• allow users to zoom or resize text without loss of essential content or function;

• label forms clearly and provide understandable error messages;

• avoid unnecessary movement, flashing content or time limits; and

• use accessible formats for downloadable information where reasonably possible.
   

Access to counselling and reasonable adjustments

If a disability, impairment, neurodivergence, health condition, sensory need, communication need or other access requirement affects how you use the website or engage with counselling, please make contact to discuss what may help. You do not need to share more personal or medical information than is necessary to explain the adjustment requested.

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Depending on individual need, reasonable adjustments may include:

 

• providing information in an alternative or simplified format;

• using a preferred communication method where available;

• allowing additional time for communication or appointments;

• adjusting the pace, structure or breaks in a session;

• considering online, telephone or in-person arrangements where these services are offered and clinically appropriate; and

• discussing access to premises before an in-person appointment.

 

Each request will be considered fairly, promptly and in discussion with the person concerned, taking account of effectiveness, practicability, safety, confidentiality, clinical appropriateness, available resources and the nature of the service. If a requested adjustment cannot reasonably be provided, the reasons will be explained, and suitable alternatives will be explored where possible.

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Known limitations

No specific accessibility limitations are listed in this draft because the website has not been tested as part of preparing this policy. Any known issue that could prevent or materially hinder access should be described here, together with an accessible alternative and, where possible, a planned remedy date. Third-party services, embedded content and external websites may not be fully controlled by Annie Ford, but accessible alternatives will be sought where reasonably possible.

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Feedback and contact

If you experience an accessibility barrier, need information in another format or would like to request a reasonable adjustment, please use the contact details published on www.annieford.co.uk. Please explain the page or information concerned, the difficulty encountered and the format or adjustment that would help. Accessibility enquiries will be acknowledged and addressed as soon as reasonably possible.

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Privacy and confidentiality

Information shared when requesting an adjustment will be handled sensitively and only used as necessary to respond to the request, provide the service and meet professional or legal responsibilities. Further information about the handling of personal information is set out in the website privacy notice.

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Monitoring and review

Accessibility will be considered whenever website content, design or functionality is added or changed. Feedback and reported barriers will be reviewed, and proportionate action will be taken to improve access. This policy will be reviewed at least annually and when relevant legislation, BACP requirements or accessibility guidance changes.