Accessibility Policy
Page Title: Accessibility Policy | Baker Merz Construction Lawyers
URL: /accessibility-policy/
Last Updated: July 2025
1. Our Commitment
Baker Merz Construction Lawyers is deeply committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all people, regardless of ability, disability, or the assistive technologies they rely upon. We believe every individual deserves equitable access to legal information and services, and we are steadfast in removing barriers that may prevent anyone from engaging with our website at https://construction.lawyer.
We recognise that access to justice begins with access to information. We are continually improving the user experience across our digital platforms and actively applying the relevant accessibility standards that govern inclusive web design. Our primary goal is full compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. We view this not as a fixed destination but as an ongoing commitment to the communities we serve. Accessibility is a fundamental responsibility, not merely a technical requirement.
2. Standards We Follow
We adhere to a robust framework of internationally recognised standards and legislative requirements to deliver on our commitment to digital inclusion.
We align our website with WCAG 2.1 Level AA (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), the globally accepted standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines are organised around four foundational principles known as POUR: content must be Perceivable (users can perceive the information presented), Operable (users can operate the interface), Understandable (users can understand the information and interface operation), and Robust (content works reliably with current and future assistive technologies). Level AA compliance addresses the most common barriers faced by people with disabilities.
In Australia, we meet our obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the provision of goods, services, and facilities. We treat digital accessibility as an extension of our legal and ethical duties under this Act.
We also future-proof our digital presence against international requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III in the United States and the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which references EN 301 549, the European standard for digital accessibility. We conduct regular testing and independent auditing of our website, and our staff receive ongoing training to ensure accessibility remains embedded in our organisational culture.
3. Accessibility Features
Our website incorporates a comprehensive suite of accessibility features designed to support users with diverse abilities and preferences.
Keyboard Navigation — All functionality is fully accessible using a keyboard alone, without requiring a mouse. Users can navigate links, buttons, forms, and interactive elements using the Tab key and standard shortcuts, ensuring people with motor impairments can browse with ease.
Screen Reader Compatibility — We have implemented semantic HTML and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) labels throughout our website. All meaningful images include descriptive alternative text (alt text), and dynamic content updates are announced to assistive technologies, enabling users who are blind or have low vision to access our content effectively.
Text Resizing and Reflow — Our website is fully compatible with browser zoom up to 200% without loss of content or functionality. Text resizes cleanly and page layouts adapt responsively. We do not use fixed-size text elements that prevent users from adjusting text to their preferred reading size.
Colour Contrast — We maintain a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18pt and above, or 14pt bold), as specified by WCAG 2.1 Level AA. This ensures text remains legible for users with low vision, colour vision deficiencies, or those viewing content in bright environments.
Consistent Navigation — Our website employs a predictable, consistent page structure across all sections. Navigation menus, headers, and footers follow a uniform pattern, reducing cognitive load and helping all visitors orient themselves and find information efficiently.
Form Labels and Error Identification — Every form field has a clearly associated label, and required fields are indicated accessibly. If a user makes an error, clear and specific error messages guide correction without relying solely on colour to communicate error states.
Skip Links — "Skip to main content" links at the top of each page allow keyboard and screen reader users to bypass repetitive navigation and move directly to the primary content, saving time and reducing frustration.
Focus Indicators — All interactive elements display a visible focus indicator when navigated via keyboard. This ensures keyboard users can always identify which element has focus, supporting confident and accurate interaction.
Captions and Transcripts — Any video content is provided with closed captions and, where practicable, full text transcripts. This benefits users who are Deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those who prefer text-based content or are in sound-sensitive environments.
Accessible PDFs — Where we provide downloadable PDF documents, we endeavour to supply tagged PDFs with proper heading structures, alternative text for images, and logical reading order, ensuring PDF content is accessible to screen reader users.
Error Identification — All forms provide clear, descriptive error messages that explain what went wrong and how to correct the issue. Errors are identified both visually and programmatically, ensuring assistive technology users are informed of validation failures in real time.
4. Assistive Technology Compatibility
We design and test our website to ensure compatibility with a broad range of assistive technologies. Our site is regularly tested with JAWS (Job Access With Speech) and NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access), the two most widely used screen readers for Windows. We also verify functionality with VoiceOver for macOS and iOS, and TalkBack for Android devices.
For users who rely on speech recognition, our website is navigable using Dragon NaturallySpeaking. We also ensure compatibility with screen magnifiers and browser zoom and text-only modes, supporting users with low vision who require significant magnification.
5. Known Limitations
While we strive for full WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance, we acknowledge some limitations exist with third-party embedded content.
Services such as Google Maps and Calendly booking widgets embedded on our website may not fully conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA in all respects. We are actively engaged with these providers to encourage accessibility improvements and monitor their updates.
Some older PDF documents available for download may not be fully accessible, as they were created before our current standards were implemented. We are working to remediate these documents or provide accessible alternatives upon request.
If you encounter any accessibility barriers, please contact us so we can assist you directly and work to resolve the issue.
6. Feedback and Contact
We welcome feedback on the accessibility of our website. Your insights help us identify areas for improvement and ensure our digital presence remains inclusive for everyone.
If you encounter accessibility barriers, experience difficulty accessing any part of our website, or have suggestions, please contact us. We take all feedback seriously and will respond within 5 business days.
Email: accessibility@bakermerz.com.au
Phone: 1300 710 864
Postal Address: Baker Merz Construction Lawyers, ABN 40 650 782 317
If you require content in an alternative format — such as large print, plain text, or another accessible format — please contact us and we will make every reasonable effort to accommodate your request promptly and at no cost.
7. Continuous Improvement
Accessibility is not a one-time project but an ongoing commitment. We conduct regular accessibility audits incorporating both automated testing tools and manual evaluation by accessibility professionals. We engage in user testing with assistive technologies to gain real-world insights into the experiences of people with disabilities. Our team receives ongoing staff training to keep pace with evolving best practices and emerging technologies. We are actively monitoring the development of WCAG 2.2 and the future WCAG 3.0 guidelines to ensure our practices remain at the forefront of digital inclusion.
8. Enforcement and Recourse
If you are not satisfied with our response to an accessibility concern, you may escalate the matter to the relevant external body.
For matters within Australia, contact the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), which handles complaints under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). For US matters, contact the Department of Justice, which enforces ADA Title III obligations. For EU matters, contact the European Disability Forum or the relevant national enforcement body in your member state.
Baker Merz Construction Lawyers (ABN 40 650 782 317) remains committed to working constructively with all users and regulatory bodies to ensure our website at https://construction.lawyer remains accessible to everyone.
This Accessibility Policy was last updated in July 2025 and is reviewed periodically to ensure its continued accuracy and relevance.