Accessibility Statement and Reasonable Adjustments Policy

Accessibility Statement

At Progressive Minds Associates one of our values is inclusivity.  Therefore we would like everyone to have accessibility to our website and services, ensuring they are as easy to use as possible. 

Conformance status

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. Progressive Minds is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard. We know we still have work to do but are committed to continuous improvement to enable access for all. We aim to be fully conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA as a minimum by 1st September 2024.

Progressive Minds Associates is committed to ensuring that all learners have an equal opportunity to view, book, attend, complete and successfully pass all courses and programmes. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us that all learner’s individual needs are taken into account to provide the appropriate accessibility. 

As well as the accessibility that is visible, Progressive Minds Associates will endeavour to review and assess individual needs with learners prior to and upon attendance by asking all learners within our booking process and at the start of each course what support and reasonable adjustments they need to be able to learn effectively.

Where a learner has been identified as requiring additional support, Progressive Minds Associates will agree appropriate advice, guidance and support to any learners to ensure their accessibility and learning needs are met.

Website and Booking process 

We do this with :

• A visible accessibility plugin on our website to give you a better user experience as you can change the setting to suit your needs. 
• The ability to zoom in up to 400% without the text spilling off the screen.
• Our website content is navigated by using a keyboard and can be done using the spacebar.
• Adding alt text to all images and emoticons   
• An ability to view the site clearly on your tablet, laptop, desktop or mobile phone.
• Simple colours, colour contrast and text that means content is clear, legible and readable
• Descriptive titles, links and functional controls
• Working on ensuring subtitles and transcripts are available for all our videos
• Allowing users to control the playback of audio and video 
• Skipping to main content using tab on your keyboard
• Working towards allowing users to turn off animated effects

Training

We do this using :

• PDF forms that are accessible to screen readers – All new documents are accessible and If we send out handbooks or have versions that are not currently fully accessible we always have solutions to provide an accessible version of the same content e.g Google Slides with screen reader, PDF in Google with screen readers
• All resources can be accessed through google drive
• Text transcript turned on for any video or recorded resources. 
• Appropriate vocabulary e.g. changing and rephrasing as needed
• Minimising the use of acronyms
• Resources that can be accessed by visually impaired people (strong colour contrast) e.g. powerpoints in Google slides that have accessibility function
• Zoom for all of our online training delivery, group coaching and one-to-one coaching due to its flexibility and accessibility as its is able to provide live transcriptions, post meeting support, auto generated captions, manual captions or third party captioning  API and also to multi- spotlight a meeting to include a sign language interpreter.  https://explore.zoom.us/en/accessibility/ 
• Alternative platforms such as such a Microsoft Teams when requested  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/accessibility-tools-for-microsoft-teams-2d4009e7-1300-4766-87e8-7a217496c3d5
• Assessing each venue – we complete our venue accessibility checklist for each venue that we deliver face to face training in.

If you wish to access any of our content but find it inaccessible or would like to discuss any accessibility and adjustments in more detail, including those already on your computer, software or apps.  We seek to continuously improve our inclusivity and accessibility 

 Please contact [email protected] or call 07970 484228 

Created/last reviewed date: May 3 2024 

Review date : March 2025 

WCAG report : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HkJuD5ohfMFd7Gs7s5glsx5o6r3I2GEdqHUBq8Jqo6U/edit?usp=sharing

 

Accessibility		Y/N/N/A
Entrance and lifts	Guests with disabilities are able to access the venue and training room. (e.g. disabled guests can enter the venue the same way as other visitors. If not, there is an alternative entrance that is accessible such as a ramp for wheelchair users. If the training room is not on the ground floor, the venue has a working lift that is large enough for a wheelchair/ the buttons have braille and audio floor indications.)
Fire Exits	Fire exits can be accessed by everyone, including wheelchair users. There should be a procedure in place for evacuating any guests that have mobility impairments.Fire alarms should be visible and audible to everyone and all delegates should be made aware of where the fire exits are located should they need to evacuate.
Venue Reception	Welcome experience is consistent and accessible for all guests  e.g reception desk needs to be low enough for wheelchairs
Toilets	The venue has toilets for guests with disabilities. Ensure it is clearly explained where disabled facilities are located and how they can be accessed from meeting rooms.
Rooms	Training rooms should be as accessible as possible. e.g. less door or corridors to navigate. When laying out the room, make sure that there’s enough space to allow for an easy entrance and exit for any wheelchair users. Ensure guests that rely on interpreters and lip readers can see them well enough
Lighting	The lighting has been considered for those with visual impairment and the lighting allows any guests that rely on interpreters and lip readers to be seen clearly.  Any transitions from dark to light are a gradual process and trainers should give warnings ahead of time for any flickering lights, strobe lighting and flash photography for anyone that has epilepsy.
Sound	Sound is a good volume. Microphones are used if needed. Check for echoes in the room. Are Induction loops available?
Catering	Catering facilities are accessible for everyone. Ensure there is space for wheelchairs and tables are a suitable height.
Dietary Requirements	If Catering is provided – a range of different diets and allergies should be considered.Foods should be clearly labelled with allergen information and there should be vegetarian and vegan options available so that all guests have the choice of something to eat.
Guide/ Service Dogs	Venue allows guide dogs and service dogs. Water, open space for rest and access to suitable places for toilets are considered.