StoryNative.uk is operated by Strait Line Media Ltd., a private company limited by shares registered in Gibraltar (company number 129570, registered office Suite 8, Leanse Place, 50 Town Range, Gibraltar GX11 1AA). The publication is editorially focused on UK showbiz news, television, streaming, celebrity coverage, film, music and entertainment industry reporting for domestic and international audiences. We are committed to ensuring that StoryNative.uk is usable by everyone, including readers who use assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice recognition software and keyboard‑only navigation. This Accessibility Statement explains our conformance target, the measures we take, known limitations and how to report any problems you experience.
Who is responsible for accessibility at StoryNative.uk?
Editor‑in‑Chief Vanessa Cole has overall responsibility for accessibility as part of her oversight of editorial policy, corrections and content quality. Day‑to‑day implementation is managed by Patrick Nolan, our Standards & Fact‑Checking Lead, who ensures that accessibility standards are integrated into our publishing workflow and reviewed during the corrections and compliance process. All editorial staff receive training on inclusive design practices.
What accessibility standard do we aim to meet?
We aim to conform with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA, which is the standard adopted by EN 301 549 (the European accessibility requirements for ICT products and services). This means we work to make our content perceivable, operable, understandable and robust for the widest possible range of users. Conformance is assessed through a combination of automated testing, manual checks and user feedback.
What specific measures do we take to improve accessibility?
We apply semantic HTML structures (proper heading hierarchies, landmark regions, lists) to help screen readers navigate content logically. All interactive elements are operable via keyboard alone, with visible focus indicators that meet contrast requirements. Images that convey information have descriptive alternative text; decorative images are marked as presentational. Text and background colours are chosen to provide sufficient contrast (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text). Readers can resize text up to 200% without loss of content or functionality, and we respect reduced‑motion preferences set in operating systems or browsers. Audio and video content includes captions or transcripts where feasible.
Are there any known accessibility limitations?
Some third‑party embedded content — such as social‑media widgets, video players from streaming platforms and interactive advertisements — may not fully meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA. These elements are hosted externally, and we cannot guarantee their accessibility. Display advertisements served through our advertising partners may also present challenges. We encourage users to contact us if they encounter barriers caused by third‑party content, and we will work with the relevant provider to improve the experience or offer an alternative method of accessing the information.
How can I report an accessibility problem?
If you experience any difficulty accessing content on StoryNative.uk, or if you have suggestions for improvement, please email our accessibility team at accessibility@storynative.uk. We aim to acknowledge your report within five working days and will provide a full response, including details of any remediation, within a further ten working days. You can also contact us through our general Contact page or by calling the UK editorial line on +44 20 4587 9440.
What if I am not satisfied with the response?
If you believe that your accessibility concern has not been adequately addressed, you may escalate the issue using our formal Complaints Procedure. The process is overseen by Editor‑in‑Chief Vanessa Cole. If the complaint remains unresolved after internal review, you have the right to contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in the United Kingdom, which enforces the Equality Act 2010 in relation to digital services. We will cooperate fully with any regulatory inquiry.
How do we test and maintain accessibility?
We conduct periodic audits using automated tools (such as axe and WAVE) and manual testing with screen readers (NVDA, VoiceOver) and keyboard‑only navigation. These reviews are scheduled quarterly and after any major redesign or feature launch. Our Editorial Policy requires that all new content be checked for basic accessibility before publication, and our Standards & Fact‑Checking Lead, Patrick Nolan, is responsible for maintaining these checks. We also review user feedback and complaints to identify recurring issues and prioritise fixes.
Our commitments
- To maintain conformance with WCAG 2.2 Level AA as our baseline accessibility target for all editorial content.
- To respond to all accessibility reports within five working days and to resolve reported issues in a timely manner, prioritising barriers that affect core reading functionality.
- To include accessibility testing in every content‑management‑system update, redesign or new feature rollout.
- To provide training on inclusive design and accessibility best practices for all editorial and technical staff at least once per year.
- To publish an updated version of this Accessibility Statement at least annually, reflecting any changes in our practices or in recognised standards.