Accessibility statement for RNLI.org 

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 400% without the text spilling off the screen
• navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
• listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of NVDA and VoiceOver)

We've also made the language as simple as possible to understand.

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

How accessible is this website?

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

Forms

• Form labels on the College Stay page are not linked to the form fields.
• Some radio buttons need a group label.
• Error messages do not have sufficient contrast.
• The calendar on the College enquiry form requires horizontal scrolling when text is increased to 200%.
• Forms time out (automatically cancel) after 60 minutes.
• Some content cannot be accessed with a keyboard and screen reader, for example, the calendar pop up on the College enquiry form (an alternative is available).

Buttons, links and icons

• Button, link and icon hover states are only indicated by a change in colour.
• Donation amount buttons, video play button and some image links do not have a focus state.
• It is sometimes hard to tell where the focus is when navigating by keyboard, for example: video controls and carousels.
• Some link focus states are only indicated by a change in colour.
• On the homepage, some link text disappears when text is increased to 200%.
• Link text is not always clear or descriptive.
• Not all links are clearly identifiable.
• The same link text might be used on one page with different destinations.
• Some image links and buttons do not have a text alternative.
• Some labels are not associated with an input element - this is often on currency buttons.
• Educational resources use icons that aren't explained on the page.
• Some element IDs are duplicated.

Search

• The search bar in the header cannot be dismissed once it has been clicked on and it obscures the other items in the menu.
• The focus order is not always clear, for example, on the search feature.

360 images

• 360 images cannot be accessed with a keyboard, or with a screen reader and keyboard.
• Some content cannot be access by VoiceOver on mobile, for example, 360 images.

Videos

• Some videos contain flashing, flickering or blinking content, for example: sunlight on water.
• Not all videos have captions.
• Videos do not have audio description.
• A fact component uses GIFs which cannot be paused.
• The focus order for interactive videos can be confusing when using a screen reader.

Images

• Not all images have alt text.
• There are some images of text.
• Some content cannot be accessed with a keyboard and screen reader, for example, image galleries.

Maps

• Find My Nearest beaches and Latest Launches do not have a text-based alternative to a map.

Headers and Text

• When text is increased to 200% zoom some text becomes cropped.
• Headings and labels are not always clear or descriptive.;
• Some headings are not marked up correctly.
• Some text is not included in an ARIA landmark.
• Some content is harder to use when text is enlarged to 200% (32pts) or requires horizontal scrolling.
• Not all instructions are styled properly.

Featured Slider/Carousels

• The focus order is not always clear, for example, on featured slider/carousel components.

Non-English Content

• Pages are defined as English. Words in other languages have not been defined with the correct language tag.

Filters

• Filters sometimes use checkboxes and sometimes use radio buttons.
• The Find My Nearest landing page only displays items visually when using radio buttons without location search.

Other

• With some modal/pop-up components, the user ends up tabbing behind the modal when using a keyboard.
• When using a mobile screen reader, if the menu is opened, continued swiping moves focus past the menu but the menu visually stays open.
• The sharing components open in a new tab/window without warning the user.
• When using filters and changing between list and grid views, focus moves to the top of the page.
• Assistive technology users are not alerted to a page reloading.
• Some container elements are empty.
• The tick list component is not marked up as a list.
• Some HTML is invalid or inconsistent.
• Some ARIA states are not supported.

College: ResDiary widget

• Form field labels are not always marked up correctly or may not stay visible when the field is filled in.
• Required fields are not clear in the ResDiary.
• Some fields in the ResDiary are not marked up correctly.
• Error messages are not clear.
• Error messages are not always linked to the fields with the errors.
• Error messages do not have sufficient contrast.
• Some ResDiary fields do not have a focus state.
• Not all fields in the ResDiary can be accessed with a keyboard, or with a screen reader and keyboard.
• When using a screen reader users are not alerted to errors in the ResDiary.
• Some content cannot be access by VoiceOver on mobile, for example, the time field on the ResDiary.
• The focus order on the second screen of the ResDiary goes straight to the end of the form, skipping the fields on the second screen when using VoiceOver.

College: Corporate Hire Room Layouts

• The Corporate Hire page has an image of text.
• Some content is unclear when using a screen reader, for example, room layouts on the Corporate Hire page.

College: Trip Advisor and Google Maps Widgets

• The TripAdvisor widget does not have a focus state.
• Some content is unclear when using a screen reader, for example, TripAdvisor widget and Google Maps widget.

Testing

We regularly test new components on our website which may not be fully accessible whilst in the testing stage. If the component is taken forward to be developed for our site we endeavour to make it as accessible as possible.

What to do if you cannot access parts of this website.

RNLI.org

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)
• fill in an enquiry form

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

If you cannot view the map on our contact us page, call or email us for directions.

RNLI.org/college

If you need information on RNLI.org/college in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:

• email [email protected]
• call 0300 300 7654

If you cannot view the map on our College contact us page, call or email us for directions.;

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 the RNLI Digital Studio on [email protected] or call RNLI Supporter Experience on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland).

Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person

RNLI in general

Find out how to contact us.

RNLI College

The building is designed to be fully accessible to all guests and we have two lifts located at the reception for easy access to each floor. Tours are 90 minutes long and there is a considerable amount of walking involved. If any guests will be using a mobility aid on the day, please make us aware in advance so that we can allow sufficient volunteer tour guide support.

For guests who are deaf or who have hearing impairments we have the following products available for visitors to the RNLI College:

• There's a permanent induction hearing loops in the Waterfront Suite.
• We also have portable loops available for use in our other function rooms and for our Discovery and ALC tours are available on request at time of booking (subject to availability). People with hearing aids will need to adjust them to use the loop system.

Find out how to contact us at the College.

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. The non-accessible sections are listed below.

Non accessible content

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

Non compliance with the accessibility regulations

Some images, icons, image links and maps do not have alt text. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content).

Not all videos have captions. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 1.2.2 (Captions (Prerecorded)).

Videos do not have transcripts. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 1.2.1 (Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)).

Videos do not have audio description. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 1.2.3 (Audio Description (Prerecorded)).

Some content is unclear when using a screen reader, for example, room layouts on the Corporate Hire page, TripAdvisor widget and Google Maps widget. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships).

Some content cannot be accessed by VoiceOver on mobile, for example, 360 images and the time field on the ResDiary. Required fields are not clear in the ResDiary. When using a screen reader users are not alerted to errors in the ResDiary. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships).

Not all instructions are styled properly and there are some instances where only visual characteristics are used to display information. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 1.3.3 (Sensory Characteristics).

Form labels on the College Stay page are not linked to the form fields. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships).

There are some instances where only colour is used to convey information. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 1.4.1 (Use of Colour).

Button, link, icon and dropdown hover states are only indicated by a change in colour. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.4.1 (Use of Color).

Some button, link and dropdown focus states are only indicated by a change in colour. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.4.1 (Use of Color).

When text is increased to 200% zoom some text becomes cropped. The calendar on the enquiry form requires horizontal scrolling. On the homepage, some link text disappears. Some content becomes harder to use when text is enlarged to 200%. On volunteering.rnli.org some text does not respond to increasing text size. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.4.4 (Resize text).

There are some images of text. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 1.4.5 (Images of Text).

Some parts of the website are not accessible by keyboard. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 2.1.1 (Keyboard).;

The search function is a keyboard trap. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 2.1.2 (No Keyboard Trap).

Forms time out after 60 minutes. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 2.2.1 (Timing Adjustable).

A fact component uses GIFs which cannot be paused. The fails WAG2.0 success criterion 2.2.2 (Pause, Stop, Hide).

Some videos that include sunlight on water cause a flicker. This might fail WCAG2.0 success criterion 2.3.1 (Three Flashes or Below Threshold).

The focus order is not always clear, for example, on featured slider/carousel components or the search feature. With some modal/pop-up components, the user ends up tabbing behind the modal when using a keyboard. The focus order on the second screen of the ResDiary goes straight to the end of the form, skipping the fields on the second screen when using VoiceOver. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 2.4.3 (Focus Order).

Link text is not always clear or descriptive. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 2.4.4 (Link Purpose (In Context)).

The same link text might be used on one page with different destinations. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 2.4.4 (Link Purpose (In Context)).

Headings and labels are not always clear or descriptive. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels).

Focus is not always visible. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 2.4.7 (Focus Visible).

Pages are defined as English, however words in other languages have not been defined with the appropriate language tag. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 3.1.2 (Language of Parts).

Icons and components are not used consistently and do not behave consistently. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 3.2.4 (Consistent Identification).

Error messages are not clear. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 3.3.1 (Error Identification).

Some headings are not marked up correctly. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 4.1.1 (Parsing).

Some HTML is invalid or inconsistent. This fails WCAG2.0 success criterion 4.1.1 (Parsing).

Error messages are not always linked to the fields with the errors. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 4.1.1 (Parsing).

Form field labels are not always marked up correctly. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 4.1.1 (Parsing).

Not all components have appropriate mark up. This fails WCAG2.0 success criteria 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value).

How we tested this website

RNLI.org

This website was last tested on November 2019 - May 2020. The test was carried out by the RNLI. We asked a supplier to carry out an audit for WCAG2.0 success criteria 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships), 3.2.4 (Consistent Identification), 4.1.1 (Parsing) and 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value).

We chose the sample of pages to include in our audit based on the guidance given by Government Digital Services. We chose a representative sample that captured the variation in content and functionality that RNLI.org had as at October 2019. 

Our sample included:

• our site's homepage
• content pages that are mostly text based
• images, video and audio content
• interactive tools and transactions, like forms
• dynamic content like pop-up windows
• navigation pages, including our sitemap and pages with search functionality
• any pages containing information about accessibility, how to contact us, how to use our site and legal information (for example terms and conditions pages, or things like our Privacy Policy)./li>

We tested:

• our main website platform, available at https://rnli.org/

We carried out the audit using a Google Chrome browser and Safari on an iPhone.

We routinely use automated accessibility checking software to identify issues on parts of our site. We also routinely check new and existing components in Chrome, Edge, in Safari on iPhone and with NVDA.

RNLI.org/college

This website was last tested in November and December 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://rnli.org/rnli-college 

What we're doing to improve accessibility

This statement was prepared on 27th October 2020. It was last updated on 21st July 2025.