AES Maintenance: Accessibility Statement

DRAFT: not for publication. Not legal advice. AES's solicitor must review before go-live (Gate D). Items in [square brackets] are placeholders to be completed.

Solicitor checklist: (1) confirm Phase 5 acceptance test T14 compliance and fill [date] with test completion date; (2) fill [Known issues] with any barriers identified at Phase 5 and their remediation plans; (3) confirm that Stripe's hosted Checkout page is out of scope (AES's responsibility is limited to the form that collects booking details and passes control to Stripe); (4) provide a summary of accessibility testing method (automated with axe, manual keyboard testing, responsive design testing at 375px); (5) before go-live, AES must confirm reporting and remediation SLA if accessibility barriers are found after launch.

1. Our commitment to accessibility

AES Maintenance is committed to ensuring its website is accessible to all people, regardless of disability or technology used. We aim to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 level AA, which are internationally recognised standards for website accessibility.

This statement describes the accessibility measures we have implemented and invites you to report any barriers you encounter.

2. What we have built for accessibility

The aes-maintenance.co.uk website is designed to be:

Keyboard operable

• All interactive controls (buttons, form fields, links, calendar events) are reachable and usable by keyboard alone
• Tab order follows a logical reading order
• Focus indicators are always visible when using the keyboard

Mobile-friendly

• The site is fully usable on mobile devices, including a 375 px wide screen (such as an iPhone SE or similar)
• No horizontal scrolling is required on mobile; all content reflows to fit the viewport width
• Buttons and touch targets are sized for easy interaction on touch screens

Semantically structured

• HTML headings, lists and sections are properly marked up so assistive technology users can understand the page structure
• Form labels are properly associated with input fields
• Error messages are clear and linked to the fields they describe

Tested for accessibility

• The site is tested with automated accessibility scanning tools (axe) to identify common barriers
• Manual testing with keyboard navigation confirms all controls are reachable and operable
• Testing covers critical user journeys: completing a booking, viewing jobs, and using the master calendar

Stripe Checkout is Stripe's responsibility

• When you complete payment, you are directed to Stripe's hosted Checkout page
• Stripe is responsible for the accessibility of its payment form, not AES Maintenance
• Stripe's accessibility statements are available at stripe.com

3. Accessibility testing and verification

AES Maintenance's accessibility claims are based on:

• Automated testing using the axe accessibility checker, which identifies violations of WCAG 2.2 level AA standards
• Manual keyboard testing to ensure all controls are usable without a mouse
• Responsive design testing at a minimum viewport width of 375 px to ensure mobile usability
• Testing of the booking wizard, cleaner job page and master calendar (day view)

These tests were completed on [date] (Phase 5 acceptance test T14). You can review the accessibility test results in our compliance documentation, available on request.

4. What is not yet covered

The following are out of scope for this accessibility statement:

• Previous browser compatibility: the site is tested with current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge; older browser versions may not support accessibility features
• Third-party plugins and links: content hosted on partner sites (such as a-e-s.co.uk) is outside our direct control
• User-uploaded content: photos and documents you provide in quote requests are your responsibility; we will not modify them
• Stripe Checkout: Stripe's payment form is governed by Stripe's accessibility statement

5. Known accessibility barriers and remediation

[List any barriers identified during Phase 5 testing, their impact, and planned fix dates. If none, state "None identified at the time of this statement."]

6. How to report accessibility problems

If you encounter a barrier to accessibility on aes-maintenance.co.uk, please report it so we can investigate and fix it:

• Email: [complaints email]
• Phone: +44 7432 607493
• Post: Absolute Environmental Solutions LTD, Norton Canes, Cannock, Staffordshire

Please include:

• The page you were on and what you were trying to do
• The barrier you encountered and how it affects you
• The assistive technology or device you are using (for example, screen reader, keyboard only, mobile phone)

We aim to acknowledge your report within 2 working days and provide an update on remediation within 14 days if action is needed.

7. Assistive technology and settings

You can adjust your browser or device settings to improve accessibility:

• Screen readers: Browsers support NVDA (Windows, free), JAWS (Windows and Mac), VoiceOver (Apple products) and others. Check your device documentation.
• Text size: Most browsers let you increase text size in settings; web pages should reflow to fit.
• High contrast: Operating systems and browsers offer high-contrast modes that websites should respect.
• Keyboard shortcuts: many browsers support keyboard shortcuts; browser help documentation explains these.

8. Standard accessibility features

In addition to the measures above, the site includes:

• Skip to main content link: visible on keyboard focus; lets you skip navigation to reach the main page content
• Proper heading hierarchy: pages use H1, H2, H3 tags in order to create a clear structure for assistive technology
• Alt text for images: images used on the booking form and calendars are accompanied by descriptive text for screen readers
• Colour contrast: text meets WCAG 2.2 AA standards (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
• Form validation: error messages are clear, linked to the fields with errors, and announced to screen reader users

9. Feedback and continuous improvement

Accessibility is ongoing. We welcome feedback on how we can improve the accessibility of aes-maintenance.co.uk. Your suggestions help us serve all users better.

10. Related policies and information

• [Privacy Notice]: how we collect and use your personal data
• [Cookie Policy]: how we use cookies on this site
• [Terms of Service]: our terms of service
• WCAG 2.2 guidelines: www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/quickref/ (explains accessibility standards and how to test)

11. Last updated

This statement was last updated [date] and covers the Phase 5 hardening phase of the Stage 1 build. We will review it as the site develops.