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 400% 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 as 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 future accessibility issues that are found through regular testing will be added to section 8 of this statement.
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
Information can only be found by using the navigation there isn’t an alternative
Action
A sitemap has been added to the footer of the website so users can also navigate the website in this way as well as using the usual navigation
Fixed date
August 2020
Issue
Some images on this website contain text, meaning those using a screen reader to access the site cannot access this content
Action
These images have either been replaced for images that do not contain text, or a text description has been added below the image to explain the contents
Fixed date
July 2020
Issue
A skip to content button is not available
Action
A skip to content button has been added to the website which will appear at the top of every page when navigating the website using a keyboard only.
Fixed date
May 2020
Issue
The cog icon button at the bottom of the website did not have a name assigned
Action
A name has been added to the button
Fixed date
December 2020
Issue
The alert message on the homepage has now been built for best practice. Previously it may be difficult to navigate the homepage users using a screen reader
Action
The alert message has been rebuilt
Fixed date
February 2021
Issue
Some heading text on the homepage has was not added in a sequential order, this made it difficult for those using assistive technology
Action
Then correct size heading text has been added
Fixed date
February 2021
Issue
The colour contrast of the logo was not accessible against the white background
Action
The logo colour has been amended so it has a fully accessible colour contrast
Fixed date
June 2021
Issue
Contact forms did not identify which fields were mandatory, making forms difficult to complete
Action
Forms have been rebuilt so they now identify which fields have been missed
Fixed date
June 2021
Issue
The style of the navigation across the website was not consistent
Action
The navigation is now the same on all pages across the website
Fixed date
June 2021
Issue
Elements should not have a tabindex greater than zero.
Action
The cookie acceptance button has been replaced in an accessible way.
Fixed date
August 2022
This statement was prepared on 16/06/2020. It was last updated on 11/08/2022
