Following a significant government contract award for asbestos testing, inspection and management, Lucion Services has reinforced its commitment to digital accessibility by implementing comprehensive improvements to its NexGen platform.
NexGen, Lucion’s proprietary risk management platform, delivers compliance made simple by transforming how organisations handle environmental risk.
The platform manages over 240GB of critical process data and 19TB of images, serving as the digital backbone for thousands of clients across various sectors, from universities to utility companies.
As part of its continuous evolution, NexGen is now undergoing substantial accessibility enhancements, working towards compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2) standards to ensure risk management software is accessible to all users, regardless of their needs or abilities.
A Vision for Inclusive Design
“Digital accessibility isn’t just about compliance – it’s about ensuring everyone can effectively manage risk.
As we enhance the NexGen platform, we’re working towards creating something that won’t just meet accessibility standards, but will set new benchmarks for inclusive risk management software.”
– Paul Hayball, Software Engineering Director at Lucion.
Key Accessibility Improvements
The current accessibility enhancements include:
- You can use your keyboard to navigate everywhere in the system, including through all the complex data and layer options
- Screen reading software works smoothly with the system, reading out information in a natural, logical order
- special ARIA labels are built into the system to help screen readers provide clear and accurate information to users
- You can zoom in up to three times the normal size without breaking any features
- The QR code pages are designed to be easily accessible for everyone, including those using assistive technologies
- Pages follow a clear, organised structure that makes it simple to move through pages using the tab key
- Every image and visual element has a clear text description, so nothing is missed if you can’t see the pictures
“What makes these improvements particularly significant is how they enhance the user experience for everyone, not just those with specific accessibility needs,” Hayball explains.
“For instance, the ability to navigate our complex data trees using just a keyboard doesn’t only benefit users with mobility impairments – it makes the system more efficient for all users who prefer keyboard shortcuts. Compliance made simple.”
Safety Without Compromise
The development team has paid particular attention to ensuring that critical risk management functions remain fully accessible.
“When you’re dealing with asbestos management, there can’t be any compromises,” says Hayball.
“Every user needs to be able to access, understand, and act on the information quickly and effectively. That’s why we’re ensuring that our accessibility improvements extend to every aspect of the system, from basic navigation to complex risk assessment tools.”
These developments come as part of our broader commitment to digital inclusion, demonstrated by our recent success in securing a major government contract.
The improvements align with public sector accessibility requirements.
Coming Soon to a Screen Near You!
Commenting on this latest development, Lucion’s Chief Executive Officer, Phil Coles, said;
“As we prepare for our upcoming November launch of NexGen’s new client portal, we’re not just working towards current accessibility standards – we’re building for the future.
Risk management software should empower everyone to work safely and effectively. That’s not just good business practice; it’s our responsibility as industry leaders.”
The new version of NexGen, complete with these accessibility improvements, will be rolled out to all clients in November 2025, marking a significant step forward in accessible risk management technology.
