Why we’re standing digi-tall: cadentgas.com nets AA status as a website accessible to people with disabilities

Jul 3 2020 corporate

We’re absolutely over the moon that our website has received official ‘AA’ status in recognition of its improved accessibility for people living with disabilities.

With over one million page views every year, cadentgas.com is a hugely important way for us to interact with our customers, in particular to help keep them safe in their homes.

Knowing too that up to a fifth of the UK population lives with a disability, we asked the team at the Digital Accessibility Centre to test it and highlight ways we could make it better. They’ve previously done the same for the likes of gov.uk, BT, Virgin Media, Channel 4 and Lloyds Bank.

Now, after acting on that feedback, we can confirm our website has been accredited by DAC and recognised to meet level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1).

Improving the web experience for our customers

Leading this work, Lindsey Sheil, digital and website specialist at Cadent, said:

“In an ever-growing and ever-changing digital world, the importance of web accessibility can often be overlooked, so that’s why we decided to look into this further in an effort to improve the web experience for many of our customers.

“Over the last couple of months, we have been working alongside the Digital Accessibility Centre to improve the Cadent digital experience for people with disabilities.

“The website underwent extensive testing by users with various access requirements, such as people who are blind, who have dyslexia, low vision and limited mobility.

“This flagged a number of accessibility and usability issues.

What we've modified on our website

“So, we built an improvement plan and have now completed an extensive amount of website modifications.

"This included improving keyboard commands for users who typically use a keyboard for navigation, ensuring content can be successfully viewed when the page is magnified and ensuring moving content can be controlled to stop or pause before it changes, to name just a few.

“I’m so proud to be able to say that we have now officially received accessibility accreditation and are now recognised to meet level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1).

“But our journey continues – we are committed to maintaining and improving our website to make it accessible for everyone.”

Cadent

Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy. We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change. Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency. Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing.

Future of Gas: Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.

Cadent manages the national gas emergency service free phone line on behalf of the gas industry - 0800 111 999*

Cadent Gas Ltd is owned by a consortium of global investors.

*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.