Accessibility statement
1. Using this website
This website is run by Middlesbrough Council. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:
- Zoom in up to 200% 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)
- View the website using any device e.g. mobile phone, tablet, desktop computer
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
Please note this website may not function correctly if you are using an older browser i.e. Internet Explorer. It is recommended for those users using Internet Explorer that they instead use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
2. How accessible is this website?
All of this website is compliant with the W3C WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standard. Any further issue that are found relating to accessibility through regular routine testing will be added to section 8 of this page.
3. What to do if you can’t access parts of this website
If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille: email digital@middlesbrough.gov.uk. We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 10 working days.
4. Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that aren’t listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact the Middlesbrough Council Digital Team by emailing the issue to digital@middlesbrough.gov.uk.
5. 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).
6. Technical information about this website’s accessibility
Middlesbrough 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 listed under section two of this page.
7. How we test this website
This website is tested every 7 days. The tests are carried out by the Middlesbrough Council Digital team using online accessibility reporting tools and manual testing. Required changes that are discovered as a result of these tests will be implemented within two months.
8. Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations and what we are doing to improve accessibility
Our accessibility road map below shows the issues which are currently in place on this website and how we aim to fix them.
| There are currently no accessibility issues on this website |
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The below items we previously identified as not being accessible have now been fixed.
| Issue | Action | Fixed date |
|---|---|---|
| Certain elements do not have sufficient colour contrast | The colour of button text has been changed so there is sufficient colour contrast | Aug-21 |
| Some heading text used across the website is not the correct size | Certain headings have been replaced with the correct size text | Aug-21 |
| A skip to content is not available on the website to assist certain users | A skip to content button will be added which will appear directly below the navigation bar | Jun-20 |
| The search box that is available within the footer of the website does not have a label assigned | The label will be added to identify the search box for those using a screen reader | Jun-20 |
| Insufficient colour contrast for the buttons used | The colour of the buttons will be changes so they have the sufficient colour contrast against the text of the button | Jul-20 |
| Some PDF documents that are available from this website are not accessible | All documents produced since September 2018 will be scanned for accessibility compliance and changes will be made to make them fully compliant | Jul-20 |
| The cog icon button at the bottom of the website did not have a name assigned | A name has been assigned to this element of the website | Mar-21 |
| Elements should not have a tabindex greater than zero | This has been resolved | Aug-22 |
| Select elements must have an accessible name | This has been resolved | Aug-22 |
| Elements should have sufficient colour contrast | Colours have been replaced as required | Aug-22 |
| Links must have discernible text | This has been resolved | Aug-22 |
This statement was prepared on 11/06/2020. It was last updated on 10/08/2022.
