Our Commitment
The State of the Kaharagians provides access to its institutions, registers and services without unlawful discrimination, including discrimination based on disability, health status or age. This Statement supports the rights of access, equality and non-discrimination guaranteed by FN Arts. 32 and 33.
Everyone should be able to obtain official information and use public-facing services without unnecessary barriers. Accessibility must therefore be considered when websites and services are designed, developed, procured, maintained and updated.
Any restriction affecting access must be prescribed by law, pursue a legitimate aim, and be necessary, proportionate and no more restrictive than required, as FN Art. 32 provides.
This statement applies generally to official Kaharagian websites, online services, portals and digital publications. A particular service may publish additional accessibility information where its functions or technical requirements make this necessary.
Accessibility Standards
Official Kaharagian websites aim to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines at Level AA.
These guidelines are published by the World Wide Web Consortium and provide a recognised framework for improving access to websites and digital content.
They are based on four principles. Digital content should be:
Perceivable
Information and interface components should be presented in ways that Users can recognise and understand, including through assistive technologies.
Operable
Navigation, controls and interactive features should be usable by keyboard and by other appropriate methods of interaction.
Understandable
Information should be presented clearly, and the operation of a website or Service should be reasonably consistent and predictable.
Robust
Content should be capable of being interpreted reliably by commonly used browsers, devices and assistive technologies.
Measures Taken to Improve Accessibility
Accessibility features may vary between websites and Services, but official Kaharagian digital properties are expected to follow the standards below. A departure must be justified by a lawful, necessary and proportionate constraint, documented where it materially affects access, and mitigated by an accessible alternative where possible.
Structure and Navigation
Official websites should use:
- meaningful page titles;
- a clear and logical heading structure;
- semantic HTML where appropriate;
- consistent navigation;
- descriptive links;
- keyboard-accessible menus and controls;
- skip links where they are useful; and
- breadcrumb navigation where appropriate to the structure of the website.
Pages should be arranged so that Users can understand where they are and move through the content without unnecessary difficulty.
Visual Presentation
Official websites should aim to provide:
- sufficient contrast between text and its background;
- readable type sizes and spacing;
- visible keyboard focus indicators;
- layouts that remain usable when text is enlarged;
- content that does not rely upon colour alone to convey meaning; and
- pages that adapt to different screen sizes and orientations.
Where possible, Users should be able to enlarge text without losing access to information or essential functions.
Keyboard Access
Interactive elements should be usable without a mouse wherever reasonably possible.
This includes:
- links;
- menus;
- buttons;
- forms;
- search functions;
- account controls; and
- other interactive features.
Keyboard focus should follow a sensible order, remain visible and not become trapped within an element or section of the page.
Written Content
Official information should be written clearly and arranged in a way that makes it easier to read and navigate.
Where appropriate:
- technical terms should be explained;
- abbreviations should be written out when first used;
- headings should describe the content that follows;
- lists should be used to organise related information; and
- link wording should indicate its purpose or destination.
The level of language used may vary according to the legal, technical, academic or administrative nature of the material.
Images and Media
Images that convey information should include suitable text alternatives where appropriate.
Decorative images may be excluded from assistive technology where they do not contribute meaning.
Where audio or video conveys information, captions, transcripts or another effective alternative must be provided unless this is impossible or disproportionate in the particular circumstances.
Forms and Online Services
Forms should be designed so that Users can identify:
- the information required;
- the purpose of each field;
- whether a field is mandatory;
- any error that has occurred; and
- what must be done to correct an error.
Instructions and error messages should be sufficiently clear to allow the User to complete the relevant process.
Security and identity-verification requirements may limit the extent to which certain account or authentication features can be altered. Reasonable efforts will nevertheless be made to ensure that these processes remain accessible.
Responsive Design
Official websites should adapt to commonly used desktop, tablet and mobile screen sizes.
Content should remain readable and functional in both portrait and landscape orientation unless a particular orientation is essential to the purpose of the Service.
Controls intended for touch-screen use should be of a reasonable size and should not be placed so closely together that they are difficult to select.
Documents and Publications
Official Kaharagian websites may contain downloadable documents, including PDF files, forms, reports, laws, notices and archived publications.
New documents must be prepared accessibly. Depending on the format, this includes:
- a logical reading order;
- properly marked headings;
- selectable text;
- descriptive links;
- labelled tables;
- text alternatives for informative images; and
- sufficient colour contrast.
Some older documents may not meet current accessibility standards. Where resources permit, important historical or frequently used documents may be replaced, remediated or accompanied by an accessible alternative.
Users who are unable to access a published document may contact the Royal Chancellery to request assistance or an alternative format.
Tables and Complex Material
Some official publications contain large tables, legal schedules, organisational charts, technical diagrams or other complex information.
Such material can be difficult to present in a form that works equally well for every User or assistive technology.
Where reasonably possible, complex content should include:
- clear headings and labels;
- explanatory text;
- summaries of important information;
- properly identified table rows and columns; or
- an alternative means of obtaining the information.
Archived Content
Archived websites and historical publications may have been created before current accessibility practices were adopted.
The State does not undertake to bring every archived page or historical document into full compliance. Priority will normally be given to:
- current public services;
- frequently used information;
- material required for legal or administrative purposes; and
- content identified as creating a significant barrier.
Archived material may be preserved in its original form where alteration would affect its historical authenticity or evidential value.
Third-Party Content and Services
Official Kaharagian websites may contain links to, or make use of, websites, embedded material, software or services operated by third parties.
The State cannot guarantee the accessibility of a third-party website or Service that it does not control.
Where a third-party system is used to provide an official function, reasonable consideration will be given to its accessibility when selecting, maintaining or replacing that system.
A link to an external website does not mean that the State accepts responsibility for its accessibility, content or operation.
Compatibility with Assistive Technologies
Official Kaharagian websites are intended to work with commonly used:
- screen readers;
- screen magnification software;
- speech-recognition software;
- keyboard-only navigation;
- browser text-to-speech functions; and
- accessibility features built into modern operating systems and devices.
Compatibility may depend upon the User’s browser, device, operating system, assistive technology and software settings.
Older or unsupported software may not display or operate every part of a website correctly.
Browser and Device Support
Official websites are generally designed for current versions of commonly used web browsers.
Some functions may not work as intended in outdated browsers, unsupported devices or highly customised browsing environments.
Users are encouraged to keep their browser and assistive software reasonably up to date where they are able to do so.
Known Limitations
Although the State seeks to improve accessibility across its digital services, some barriers may remain.
These may include:
- older PDF documents that have not yet been remediated;
- scanned historical records;
- complex legal or statistical tables;
- maps, diagrams or organisational charts;
- third-party applications or embedded content;
- content produced before current standards were adopted;
- live or time-sensitive media for which captions or transcripts are not immediately available; and
- specialised administrative systems with technical or security constraints.
Known limitations will be recorded, assessed and prioritised according to the rights affected, seriousness, frequency of use, technical complexity and available resources. Resource or technical constraints do not, by themselves, justify unlawful discrimination or a disproportionate restriction on access.
Alternative Formats and Assistance
Where information cannot be accessed in its published form, a User may ask whether it can be provided in another reasonable format.
Depending upon the material concerned, this may include:
- an accessible electronic document;
- plain text;
- a written summary;
- clarification of the information contained in a table or image; or
- assistance in completing an official process.
The State may not be able to provide every document in every requested format. It will offer an effective alternative where needed to provide equal access, unless doing so would be unlawful, impossible or disproportionate. The decision must consider the material, the User’s needs, the importance and urgency of access, available alternatives and the resources required.
Reporting an Accessibility Problem
Feedback about the accessibility of official Kaharagian websites and Services is welcomed.
Users should contact the Royal Chancellery if they:
- cannot access part of a website or Service;
- encounter a problem using assistive technology;
- require information in another format;
- find content that is difficult to understand or navigate; or
- wish to suggest an accessibility improvement.
A report should include, where possible:
- the address or name of the website or Service;
- the page or feature concerned;
- a description of the difficulty encountered;
- the browser, device or assistive technology being used; and
- contact details where a response is requested.
Providing contact details is optional unless they are needed to respond to the request or provide an alternative format.
Contact
Accessibility questions, reports and requests should be directed to:
Royal Chancellery
chancellery@kaharagia.org
The Royal Chancellery may refer a matter to the appropriate technical, administrative or institutional office for investigation and response.
Handling Accessibility Reports
Accessibility reports will be considered according to the nature and seriousness of the issue.
The response may involve:
- providing assistance or an alternative format;
- correcting content;
- changing a page or interface;
- referring the matter to the operator of a third-party system;
- including the issue in future development work; or
- explaining why a particular change cannot reasonably be made.
Not every issue can be resolved immediately. Technical limitations, security requirements, the condition of historical material and available resources may affect the action that can be taken.
Where contact details have been provided, the responsible office will acknowledge the report and explain the action proposed. If a request is refused or materially limited, the response will give written reasons and explain the available review route.
Further Review of a Concern
A User who is dissatisfied with the response to an accessibility concern may ask the Royal Chancellery to review the matter.
The request should identify the original report, the response received and the reason further review is sought.
The Royal Chancellery may seek further information or refer the matter for technical or administrative assessment before providing a final response. Review must be lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair. Nothing in this process limits the right to an effective remedy under FN Art. 32(7) or the right to review of adverse administrative action under FN Art. 35(12).
Testing and Assessment
Accessibility may be assessed through a combination of:
- automated testing;
- manual inspection;
- keyboard navigation testing;
- testing with assistive technologies;
- review of forms and interactive controls;
- examination of colour contrast and visual presentation; and
- consideration of feedback received from Users.
Automated tools alone cannot identify every accessibility issue. Manual review and practical testing are therefore used where appropriate and resources permit.
Not every official website or Service will necessarily have undergone an independent external accessibility audit.
Technical Basis
Official Kaharagian websites generally rely upon standard web technologies, including:
- HTML;
- CSS;
- JavaScript; and
- commonly supported web accessibility standards.
Additional technologies may be used where required by the function of a particular website or Service.
Websites must use these technologies in a manner that supports progressive enhancement, semantic structure and compatibility with assistive tools, subject only to a documented lawful, necessary and proportionate constraint.
Continuing Improvement
Accessibility is an ongoing responsibility rather than a one-time exercise.
Official websites and Services may be reviewed when:
- a new Service is introduced;
- an existing Service is substantially redesigned;
- significant content is added;
- a technical platform is replaced;
- an accessibility concern is reported; or
- standards and accepted practices change.
Improvements will be prioritised according to their likely effect on Users, the importance of the Service and the resources available.
Application of This Statement
This statement applies to official websites, portals, online services, digital publications and other internet properties operated by or on behalf of the State of the Kaharagians and its institutions.
A particular website or Service may publish additional accessibility information, including details of known limitations or service-specific arrangements.
Where a specific accessibility statement is published for a Service, it should be read together with this general statement.
Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Enforcement
This Statement is governed by Kaharagian law, subject to the Fundamental Laws, applicable promulgated treaties and Kaharagian conflict-of-laws rules. Kaharagian law governs the State’s internal authority and the official character of its services. Mandatory host-jurisdiction law applies where Kaharagian law so provides.
Acting through a competent authority and as permitted by applicable law, the State may choose to commence, defend, support or participate in proceedings; seek interim or final relief; enforce rights or judgments; cooperate with foreign authorities; or refer conduct to a competent authority in any jurisdiction. A choice to act in a foreign forum is limited to that matter and carries the jurisdictional consequences imposed by applicable law; it is not a general submission for unrelated matters.
This section is to be read with FN Arts. 6, 32, 33, 35, 36, 38, 42, 45 and 47. Officials acting abroad do not claim immunity or privilege that the host jurisdiction does not recognise.
Changes to This Statement
This statement may be revised to reflect changes in Kaharagian policy, technical standards, website design or accessibility practice.
The review date above will be updated after a substantive change.
Users should consult the current version of this statement for the latest information about accessibility across official Kaharagian websites and digital services.