Accessibility

Information about accessibility on our site using screen readers and other software, help using a mouse or keyboard.

Page Contents:

Web accessibility statement

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

Web accessibility statement for www.northumberland.gov.uk

This website is run by Northumberland County Council and this document was last updated on 25 March 2021.

The purpose of this statement is to let you know:
  • How accessible our website is
  • Issues we are currently working on
  • How to report issues
  • What to do if you can’t access parts of it
 

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website and welcome your feedback. If you find any problems that aren’t listed on this page, you can report this using the page feedback form at the bottom of each of our web pages, or contact our web content team at website@northumberland.gov.uk 

 

Viewing our website

There are a number of customisation options for your browser and device that could help you use this website and other websites more effectively.

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

This includes how to:  

Language translation

We have included a link in the footer of every page on www.northumberland.gov.uk to translate the text using Google Translate.

Should you wish to translate the text on all websites you use, this can be done by changing the settings in your browser:  

Making our content accessible 

This website is designed to be used by as many people as possible. The text should be clear and simple to understand. We follow a guide to help website editors write accessible and easy to understand content on our web pages: If you find any problems with our content, you can report this using the page feedback form at the bottom of each of our web pages. 

Audit details:

How we tested this website


This website regularly tested 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 regularly. The last audit was carried out on 22 February 2021 using the following applications:
 
  • WAVE - Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool
  • AXE - The Standard in Accessibility Testing
  • AChecker

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard. 

 

Subdomains

online. (eForms) - missing alternative text on images. This item will be fixed in April 2021.

form. (eForms) - missing alternative text on images. This item will be fixed in April 2021.

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. 

bulkywastess. (bulky waste booking service) - no issues.

gwaste. (garden waste service payment system) - no issues.

pestcontrolss. (pest control booking system)  - no issues. 

committee. (committee management system) - we are in the process of removing this section.

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, language attributes and menu attributes - this will be completed by June 2021

External domains


Northumberland.maps.arcgis.com (digital maps) - no issues.

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. 

northumberland.erevenues.co.uk - (change of circumstances) - no issues.

 

PDFs and other documents

Many documents are not accessible in a number of ways including missing text alternatives and missing document structure.
 

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):

  1. Screen reader - reading aloud website text, which can be customised to suit the viewer
  2. Reading assitance - ruler, screen mask, magnifier, margins, and a dictionary
  3. Styling assistance - customise the websites colour scheme as well as the texts font style, size, colour, and spacing
  4. Translation - translates content into over 100 languages, including 35 text to speech voices.

Cookie permissions

Cookies that are essential for our website to operate:
Cookies that provide additional functionality or analytics:  

Cookie consent and control

We are currently in the process of installing a new cookie consent and control application that will allow visitors to our website to choose which non-essential cookies they wish to allow us to use while they visit our website. This will be completed by Oct 2020

 

How to request content in an accessible format

If you need information in a different format contact us here and tell us:

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

Enforcement procedure

If you contact us with a complaint and you’re not happy with our response please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

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’).

 

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