Accessibility statement for www.eastriding.gov.uk

Accessible features on this website

There are a number of customisable options available on your web browser and the device that you are using that can help you to use this website, and other websites, more effectively.

We have put accessibility features in place so you can:

• change colours, contrast levels and fonts using your browser or other tools
• zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
• use ‘skip links’ to navigate to menu, content ans search
• navigate most of the website using just a keyboard, including contact forms
• use speech recognition software to navigate most of the site
• listen to most of the website using a screen reader, including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver

We aim to use plain English through our website to make our content as simple as possible to understand.The majority of our pages also use correct heading structure and context-rich link text.

The AbilityNet website has advice on making your device easier Ïto use if you have a disability.

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the ‘non-compliances’ listed below.

Non-accessible content (non-compliances)

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible and, are therefore, ‘non-compliant’:

Old Pdf files

• Old pdf files published prior to September 2018 fall outside the scope of accessibility legislation and we have no plans to fix these as they don’t provide sole access to key services. This is an exemption.

Skip links

• While we do have 3 skip links (to content, menu and search), some areas such as the AZ have been identified as needing improvement to improve tab navigation. Button focus also needs improving in certain areas of the site. This is currently being addressed.

Forms

• Certain parts of our forms need improving, such as button focus and form labels, including autocomplete. We will work with the third party supplier to address this.

Heading structure

• While we recognise the importance of proper heading structure, and promote its use with our content editors, there are a few areas of the site which cannot be headed up correctly until we recreate a new version of the website using an enhanced platform. This is planned for 2022.

Third party content

We’re also aware that some third party websites or systems that this website links to, or integrates with, are not accessible and may have issues, such as:

• missing skip links
• not able to navigate using speech recognition software
• unable to be listened to using a screen reader
• poor contrast
• text on images where no alt-text is provided

Where possible we are working with these suppliers to address these, and other accessibility issues. Please read more about addressing issues with third party suppliers and ‘disproportionate burden’.

Disproportionate burden

Our website contains ‘third party content’. These are systems that we link to, or are embedded into our site, such as the planning portal ‘Public Access’ or the parking fine payment system.

We do not have control over, and are not responsible for, the accessibility of this content but we endeavour to continue working with the third party to improve its accessibility.

We’ve assessed the cost of fixing the accessibility issues with such sites and we believe that doing so now would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations.

We will make further assessments when the supplier contracts are up for renewal.

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

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. For example, we do not plan to fix old committee meeting minutes and agendas, or publicity material used for marketing purposes.

We will aim to meet accessibility standards with any new PDFs or Word documents we publish.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

www.eastriding.gov.uk is being recreated during 2022. It will be built from the ground up with accessibility at its core.

We will:

• be working with document processing teams to produce accessible document formats to allow accessible pdf publication, where necessary.
• continue to work, where possible,with third party suppliers to improve non-accessible systems that we link to or integrate with.
• continue to test regularly with wave.webaim.org/Wave accessibility checker.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 21/08/2021. It was last reviewed on 21/08/20.

This website was last tested on 21/08/20. The test was carried out by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Digital Services team.

Testing was carried out using Wave accessibility checker, testing a sample of pages which covers the core user interfaces and tools present on the website, such as the homepage, content page, top level home page, interactive decision trees, AZ, directory with map and forms.

Feedback and contact information

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, please let us know so we can work to fix it:

• web@eastriding.gov.uk
• (01482) 391455 - Monday to Friday, 9am until 4pm

We’ll aim to get back to you within 3 days.

Alternative formats

You can also contact us to request information on any of our websites in a different format, such as accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:

• Email: web@eastriding.gov.uk
• Call: (01482) 393939

Complaints process

If you have reported a problem with our website or asked for an alternative format, but you are not happy with our response, you can get in touch to register your difficulty. This helps us improve our processes:

• Email: web@eastriding.gov.uk
• Call: (01482) 393939

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).