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Accessibility Statement

Accessibility Policy

Effective Date: 20 May 2025
Review Date: 20 May 2026


Approved by: Craig McIntosh, Managing Director

1. Introduction

At Prime Mortgage Centre, we are committed to ensuring that our services, information, and environments—both digital and physical—are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. We recognise accessibility as a fundamental human right and a core aspect of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Our commitment is guided by the principles of the Equality Act 2010, which requires reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not placed at a substantial disadvantage. We also follow international standards, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, to shape our approach to accessibility.

This policy outlines our approach to accessibility across our organisation, covering digital services, physical premises, communication, procurement, and employment.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Promote equal access for all users, including people with physical, sensory, cognitive, or neurological disabilities.

  • Set out our responsibilities under UK legislation, including the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (where applicable).

  • Provide a framework for delivering accessible services and environments.

  • Embed accessibility into our organisational culture and decision-making.

 

3. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All employees, contractors, and customers.

  • All organisational operations including internal systems, customer services, websites, apps, documents, and communications.

  • All physical spaces owned, leased, or managed by the organisation.

  • Third-party service providers and digital vendors working on our behalf.

 

4. Legal and Regulatory Framework

Our accessibility policy is underpinned by the following legislation and standards:

  • Equality Act 2010: Requires organisations to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people and prohibits discrimination.

  • Building Regulations (Part M): Covers physical accessibility of buildings.

  • BS 8300: A British Standard providing guidance on inclusive building design.

  • WCAG 2.2: A set of guidelines published by the W3C to make web content more accessible.

 

5. Commitments

5.1 Digital Accessibility

We aim for our digital platforms—including websites, apps, and intranets—to comply with WCAG 2.2 AA as a minimum standard. Our commitments include:

  • Designing and developing digital services that are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.

  • Using semantic HTML and ARIA roles where appropriate.

  • Ensuring alternative text for images, captions for videos, and proper heading structure.

  • Regular audits using automated and manual testing tools, including screen readers and keyboard navigation.

  • Involving users with disabilities in usability testing where possible.

5.2 Physical Accessibility

We will ensure that our buildings and physical environments are accessible to people with mobility, sensory, or cognitive impairments. This includes:

  • Step-free access to all public areas.

  • Accessible toilets and parking spaces.

  • Signage in clear fonts and formats.

  • Induction loops in reception and meeting areas.

  • Routine accessibility audits and updates to facilities where necessary.

5.3 Communication Accessibility

We strive to ensure that all our communication materials are accessible and inclusive. This includes:

  • Providing information in alternative formats upon request, such as large print, Easy Read, Braille, BSL, or audio.

  • Using plain English and avoiding jargon.

  • Ensuring inclusive language in all public-facing and internal communications.

  • Captioning all video and multimedia content used in training or marketing.

5.4 Employment and Recruitment

We are committed to fair and inclusive employment practices. We will:

  • Make reasonable adjustments during recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing employment.

  • Ensure job adverts and descriptions are accessible and inclusive.

  • Train hiring managers on disability awareness and inclusive practices.

  • Support disabled employees with workplace adjustments through Access to Work or internal funding.

 

6. Roles and Responsibilities

Senior Management

  • Ensure strategic leadership and accountability for accessibility across the organisation.

  • Allocate necessary resources for accessibility improvements and compliance.

Accessibility Lead / D&I Officer

  • Oversee the implementation and monitoring of this policy.

  • Coordinate training and awareness activities.

  • Liaise with disabled users and staff for feedback and improvements.

All Staff

  • Take personal responsibility for creating accessible documents, content, and environments.

  • Attend training sessions related to accessibility and inclusion.

  • Report barriers or issues through appropriate channels.

 

7. Training and Awareness

To embed accessibility in our culture, we will:

  • Provide mandatory accessibility and inclusion training for all new employees.

  • Offer role-specific training for content creators, developers, facilities staff, and managers.

  • Maintain an internal resource hub with accessibility guides, tools, and best practices.

 

8. Procurement and Third Parties

We will ensure that accessibility is a key criterion in procurement and contract management. Suppliers and partners must:

  • Demonstrate compliance with relevant accessibility laws and standards.

  • Provide accessibility statements for digital products and services.

  • Work with us to remedy any accessibility issues identified during use.

 

9. Feedback and Continuous Improvement

We welcome feedback from all users regarding accessibility. Feedback can be sent to:

  • Email: [Insert Accessibility Contact Email]

  • Phone: [Insert Phone Number]

Please see ‘How to Complain’ for our complaints procedure.

10. Monitoring and Evaluation

To ensure accountability, we will:

  • Conduct annual accessibility audits of websites and buildings.

  • Publish an accessibility statement in line with regulatory requirements.

  • Monitor compliance through internal reviews and KPIs.

  • Report progress to senior leadership and stakeholders.

 

11. Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed annually or when there are significant changes in:

  • Accessibility legislation or guidance.

  • Organisational structure or services.

  • Stakeholder feedback indicating a need for improvement.

 

12. Contact and Further Information

For further details or to request this policy in an alternative format, please contact:

Accessibility Officer
Prime Mortgage Centre
Duart House,

3 Finch Way,

Strathclyde Business Park,

Bellshill,

ML4 3PR
Email: mortgages@thhmc.co.uk
Phone: 0303 003 5600
 

You can check out our complaints procedure here.

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