Information about accessibility on our site using screen readers and other software, help using a mouse or keyboard.
To make our website more accessible we use the Recite Me assistive toolbar.
This toolbar is currently available on www.northumberland.gov.uk and offers the following assitive fuctionality by clicking on the 'Listen and Translate' text link at the top of each web page (or within the MENU on mobiles):
If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, you can call us on 0345 600 6400 (Monday to Thursday 08:30 - 17:00 and Friday 08:30 - 16:30)
If you have speech or hearing difficulties, you can use Relay UK to contact us by dialing 018001 01670 623515. you can find more information about Relay UK here.
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, you can report this using our eForm below:
Your report will be sent to our website content team leader, development team leader and the accessibility lead for Northumberland County Council. If appropriate, you should expect a response within 10 working days.
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).
Northumberland County 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 listed below.
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
Some images do not have a text alternative, so people using a screen reader cannot access the information. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (non-text content). This is an ongoing issue with new images and requires regular retesting to ensure we are fully compliant.
Cookie request system has some issues when using keyboard control this fails WCAG 3.2.1 (On Focus). We have upgraded the system to the latest version available and are working with the external supplier to see if any outstanding issues can be rectified in a future update.
Accordions may not work fully with assistive technology. This fails WCAG 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value). This element is being re-coded and should be live by the end of July 2022.
We have also identified the following specific issues on our sub-domains:
online. (eForms) - missing alternative text on images. This system is currently being depreciated in favour of a new forms system that will be live by April 2023.
form. (eForms) - missing alternative text on images. This system is currently being depreciated in favour of a new forms system that will be live by April 2023.
parkingpcns. (parking ticket payment) - missing the alternative text on several images. We are working with the external supplier to see if a patch is possible.
publicaccess. (planning system) - missing the alternative text on ‘on track’ button. We are working with the external supplier to see if a patch is possible.
Digital maps - are missing alternative text on council logo - We are working with the external supplier to see if a patch is possible.
We have also identified the following issues on our external domains:
Northumberland.spydus.co.uk (library catalogue) - empty heading, empty button, linked image missing, missing form label, empty link. Page refresh/redirect and contrast errors. We are currently working with the external supplier to see if a patch is possible.
We are currently in the process of replacing our website content management system and customer service system. Some of the issues above relating to eForms will be resolved as part of the transfer to these new systems.
We believe that doing so now would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations. We will make another assessment in April 2023.
Some of our PDFs and Word documents are essential to providing our services. We are currently in the process of evaluating which of these documents need to be replaced. This evaluation should be completed by April 2023.
The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services.
We do not plan to add captions to live video streams because live video is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.
This statement was prepared on 8 April 2020. It was last reviewed on 24 June 2022.
This website was last tested on 23 June 2022 for compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines V2.1 level A and level AA, and these tests have been carried out internally.
We used the Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology (WCAG-EM) approach to deciding on a sample of pages to test. We audit our website compliance using the following applications:
Cookies that are essential for our website to operate:
ASP.Net_SessionID - Keeps the user session ID for security reasons.
Click here to let us know if you found the content of the page helpful
Choose the letter of the service you’re looking for