Accessibility statement

The Scottish Veterans Commissioner is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

This accessibility statement applies to scottishveteranscommissioner.org.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and the exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reason(s):

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

PDFs

  • There are five PDFs published before 23 September 2018 which don’t meet current accessibility regulations. As these documents are not required to access an essential service, they are exempt from accessibility regulations.
  • Any new PDFs we publish will meet accessibility standards or a fully accessible html alternative will be offered.

Progress Page

  • On the Progress Page and the Impact Page the content has been laid out using tables. Layout tables should be avoided as they can cause issues for assistive technologies such as screen readers as they can and do interpret them as data tables and announce rows and columns etc. Currently, the layout of these pages does not meet the following criteria: WCAG 1.3.1 Info and Relationships: Tables.
  • Replacing the layout tables with other HTML elements such as DIVs and styling them with CSS is not a viable alternative solution, as the content needs to be regularly and easily amended and updated.
  • The presentation of the content in this manner and the function of the tables is essential, as removing it would fundamentally change the information or functionality of the content. Information and functionality cannot be achieved in another way that would conform.

The content is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

  • The accessibility regulations don’t require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 8 December 2023.

This statement was prepared following an accessibility audit carried out by The Gate in November 2023 using manual testing and accessibility software. The auditing tools used were WAVE Accessibility Checker, Lighthouse Chrome Extension and Chrome general browsing.

This statement was last reviewed on 13 December 2023.

Feedback and contact information

If you find any problems that are not listed on this page or you think we’re not meeting the accessibility requirements, please contact scottishveteranscommissioner@gov.scot.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’).

If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

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I welcome the publication of the new UK Veterans Strategy, which sets out a clear vision that veterans are celebrated for their service, their potential is fully realised, and the right support is in place to achieve this. 
 
It’s encouraging to see a stronger focus on outcomes and measuring impact, under the strategic themes of Celebrate, Contribute, and Support.
 
I am pleased that the Scottish Government will now develop a Strategy Action Plan to deliver this vision across Scotland - particularly in devolved areas such as health, housing, and justice. I look forward to continuing to support all efforts to improve the lives of veterans and their families across the country.

Read the full Strategy at the link in my bio 🔗
I welcome the publication of the new UK Veterans Strategy, which sets out a clear vision that veterans are celebrated for their service, their potential is fully realised, and the right support is in place to achieve this. It’s encouraging to see a stronger focus on outcomes and measuring impact, under the strategic themes of Celebrate, Contribute, and Support. I am pleased that the Scottish Government will now develop a Strategy Action Plan to deliver this vision across Scotland - particularly in devolved areas such as health, housing, and justice. I look forward to continuing to support all efforts to improve the lives of veterans and their families across the country. Read the full Strategy at the link in my bio 🔗
4 hours ago
Today, I’ve published my new report on the support available to members of the military bereaved community.

Bereavement within the Armed Forces community is uniquely complex - shaped by service, sacrifice, and shared experience - and it’s vital that support reflects this.

Read the full report at the link in my bio 🔗
Today, I’ve published my new report on the support available to members of the military bereaved community. Bereavement within the Armed Forces community is uniquely complex - shaped by service, sacrifice, and shared experience - and it’s vital that support reflects this. Read the full report at the link in my bio 🔗
1 day ago
On Monday, I attended the opening of the exhibition Remembrance & Reconciliation at Edinburgh Napier University. It included a seminar which covered the history of Edinburgh’s Robin Chapel, and the efforts in Kutenholz, Germany, to honour everyone who died there in the Second World War, including Robin Tudsbery, in whose memory the chapel was built. 

We were treated to a moving performance by the chapel’s choir. It was truly special to see family members of British servicemen alongside the Kutenholz community, recognising their service and sacrifice.
On Monday, I attended the opening of the exhibition Remembrance & Reconciliation at Edinburgh Napier University. It included a seminar which covered the history of Edinburgh’s Robin Chapel, and the efforts in Kutenholz, Germany, to honour everyone who died there in the Second World War, including Robin Tudsbery, in whose memory the chapel was built. We were treated to a moving performance by the chapel’s choir. It was truly special to see family members of British servicemen alongside the Kutenholz community, recognising their service and sacrifice.
1 day ago
On this day, we pause in quiet reflection to honour those who gave their lives in service.

We thank all those who have served, and we think of all those still living with the impact of conflict, including veterans, their loved ones and the bereaved.

#LestWeForget
On this day, we pause in quiet reflection to honour those who gave their lives in service. We thank all those who have served, and we think of all those still living with the impact of conflict, including veterans, their loved ones and the bereaved. #LestWeForget
3 days ago
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