The Southeastern website has been awarded Shaw Trust accreditation for complying with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA accessibility standards.
The rail operator’s website has been tested by people with a range of accessibility requirements and is now officially recognised as conforming to the latest WCAG standards. The website, [with 4.8 million visitors annually] now includes the sought-after Shaw Trust Accessible logo, giving customers the assurance that the website has been developed with accessibility requirements in mind. WCAG provides a standard for web content accessibility that meets the needs of individuals, organizations, and governments internationally.
The team at Southeastern made extensive design, development and content changes to the site, to achieve Level AA compliance – and it now provides an accessible online experience for everyone, including users of assistive technologies such as screen readers.
Over 60 hours of automated and manual testing by users with disabilities goes into the accreditation assessment, ensuring best practices are carried out to the highest standard.
The Southeastern website has been praised by Shaw Trust as having achieved a high level of accessibility. They thanked Southeastern for our commitment in making the site accessible, inclusive and user friendly for people with disabilities.
Southeastern’s Head of Digital, Astrid Agnew said:
“We understand accessibility includes long term, temporary and situational factors that may affect how customers use our website and accessibility is a core part of our digital strategy.
“Working closely with the Shaw Trust, we have enhanced our website to ensure all customers are able to use it to plan their journey and buy tickets. We are committed to providing safe and accessible travel for all and we are delighted that our website has been officially recognised by Shaw Trust as being compliant.”
 Alicia Andrews, Commercial Director, Southeastern said:
 “We take our public sector equality duty seriously and when planning changes always aim to put accessibility at the heart of our thinking. We are pleased to have achieved this standard and will continue to look for ways to make Southeastern more accessible and inclusive”                                                         Â
Southeastern is the one of only three Train Operating Companies to receive Shaw Trust accreditation, after Great Western Railway (GWR) and Avanti West Coast.
Photo credit: Southeastern
