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The Role of The Crown Prosecution Service

The Crown Prosecution Service is the government department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales.

As the principal prosecuting authority in England and Wales, we are responsible for:

  • advising the police on cases for possible prosecution
  • reviewing cases submitted by the police
  • determining any charges in more serious or complex cases
  • preparing cases for court
  • presenting cases at court

Find out more about the role of the Crown Prosecution Service

Home » News Centre » Press Releases » New CPS website prioritises accessibility

New CPS website prioritises accessibility

10/05/2004

The Crown Prosecution Service's redesigned public website www.cps.gov.uk now makes it possible for an estimated five million more people to learn about the CPS and its work.

The website's revamp, launched this month, focuses on accessibility for people with visual, mobility and cognitive-related disabilities. It ensures that any website visitor using a standard screen reader or other information technology disability support device can use the site.

Results from an independent audit by AbilityNet, a charity that provides free, wide-ranging advice and support to help people with disabilities make the most of information technology, has already given the CPS web site the thumbs up.

Robin Christopherson, Web Consultancy Manager for AbilityNet, said:

"The Crown Prosecution Service website is an example of good practice in accessibility and usability, I particularly like the use of keyboard shortcut keys - 'accesskeys' and the skip navigation link which really benefits screen reader users."

There are around 1.3 million people in the UK with disabilities. There are many others who find using the internet prohibitively difficult because of minor disabilities or the process of ageing. Users with a range of disabilities are continuing to be consulted for a fuller, ongoing assessment of the site.

Major improvements to the CPS site, to accommodate these potential audiences, include the ability to resize text and the screen size. Information is now easier to find and whole sections have been rewritten to be clearer.

The changes should lead to more people having the opportunity to find out about the CPS and its achievements. Individuals will be able to look up guidance on criminal law as well as other information including the latest news from the service, job vacancies and publications.

The new website was developed for the CPS by web design agency Ecru. Ecru specialise in making web sites accessible to people with disabilities. The company worked with CPS Communications to meet stringent Government and W3C - priority AA - Internet accessibility standards for the relaunch and provided training for CPS staff to ensure the site continues to be accessible post launch.

Matt Williams, Managing Director of Ecru, said:

"The content of the CPS website sits at the very heart of the English Justice system, and the webmasters at the CPS needed to demonstrably acknowledge the implications of the Freedom Of Information Act and the Disability Discrimination Act. There are over a million words on the website and by complying with strict web standards we have now made the content measurably accessible."

For more information contact CPS Press Office on 020 7710 6088.