Recent legislation requires public sector bodies with websites to produce an accessibility statement for the benefit of users who may have visual or dexterity-related impairments.

This statement covers the website run by Coates Parish Council.

We want as many people as possible to be able to use our website. For example, that means you should be able to:

• zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
• navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
• navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
• listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)
• change colours, contrast levels and fonts

We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

 

How accessible is the current website?

Our website attempts to satisfy the WCAG 2.1 AA standard, which forms the basis of the new compliance regulations. Elements that satisfy these standards include:

• Font sizes, colour contrasts, link contexts, image alternative text, headings, keyboard navigation, screen reader usability.

Other than the standard navigation menu the website does not trigger any overlaying content such as pop-up on mouse hover.

The website does not have any keyboard shortcuts.

Note that browser extensions and other software can be used to adjust contrast and fonts manually if desired.

Some parts of this website remain not fully accessible:

• documents prior to 23^rd Sept 2020 will be in scanned PDF format and therefore not fully accessible to screen reader software. We are looking at other options going forward;
• The mobile version of the website could be optimised further;
• Any maps may be difficult to navigate using screen reader software;
• Some elements could be raised from AA to AAA standard, although this is not required by the current accessibility regulations

We will endeavour to make any necessary accessibility improvements that are required in the future (assuming financial viability), and work to make the content as easy as possible to understand. In the meantime, if you have accessibility issues when using our website, please consider using the browser zoom control (PC/laptop) to enlarge the text or use the ‘Settings’ on your mobile device to select a larger font. You can also install (PC/laptop) a text to speech (TTS) reader such as the free NV Access NVDA screen reader, or use the ‘Settings’ on your mobile device to switch on a text reader if available. It’s also possible to install a form of TTS via an add-on to some internet browsers (Edge, Firefox, Chrome etc).

If you have difficulty using a mouse or keyboard then you could consider installing a speech recognition extension for your browser which will enable you to navigate hands free.

Click on this link to AbilityNet where you will find advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

Third party content that we did not pay for or develop ourselves, that is under someone else’s control, is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

 

How to request content in an accessible format

If you need information in a different format, please contact the Parish Clerk (Clerk@coatesparish.org.uk) and tell us:

• the web page/address (URL) of the content
• your name and email address
• the format you need, for example, audio CD, braille, BSL or large print, accessible PDF

We’ll consider your request and get back to you in up to 14 days.

 

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or have noticed an aspect of the website that does not meet your accessibility requirements, please contact us using the contact page.

 

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).

 

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Coates Parish Council is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

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