Information about accessibility on our site using screen readers and other software, help using a mouse or keyboard.
This accessibility statement applies to www.northumberland.gov.uk and the following sub-domains:
The purpose of this statement is to let you know:
On 17 December 2024 we started migrating our main website from www.northumberland.gov.uk to a new new content management system at beta.northumberland.gov.uk.
On 4 March 2025 all of the core templates were tested as accessible.
As of 5 March 2025 the following services are available:
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:
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:
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 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.
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.
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 2025.
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 29 May 2025.
This website was last tested on 11 October 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:
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