Accessibility

This is the Accessibility Statement for the Wakefield Connect to Support website. This website is run by Wakefield Council.

We have also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

How Accessible is this Website?

This website should allow a user to do the following:-

• Modify the line height or spacing of text.
• Zoom in up to 200% without the text spilling off the page.
• Navigate most of website using a keyboard.
• Navigate most of the website using speech recognition software

We are aware that there are many parts of this website that are not fully accessible :-

• This website uses JavaScript to deliver certain features. Please make sure you have JavaScript turned on within your browser to deliver full features;
• Heading Levels are skipped on certain content pages;
• Most older PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software;
• Live video streams do not have captions;

Using this Website - Accessible Features

This website uses a widget that contains several Accessible features that can be used by users with specific requirements. The widget is available on the top right-hand side of the header menu.

These features include: -

Contrast & Font Size

Changing the contrast and font sizes of text can increase legibility for some users.

A user can change the contrast settings.

To increase the font size, click on the icons at the top right of the screen. The user can also use the browser’s own zoom facility. The website will work up to 200%.

Translation

You can use the Google Translate feature at the top right of the screen to translate the text to any of the available languages, including common community languages in Wakefield such as Bengali, Chinese, and Somali. Please note that the translation is done automatically by the Google software, not by the council.

UserWay Accessibility Widget

The website makes available the UserWay Website Accessibility Widget that is powered by a dedicated accessibility server. The software allows the website to improve its compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1)

To use widget a user must have JavaScript turned on in the browser. Please review other resources for further details on how to do this.

How to Use the Accessibility Menu (UserWay)

To activate the Accessibility Menu, click the person icon at the bottom left of the page or press the Ctrl+U keyboard shortcut.

The Accessibility Menu will load giving users the following options :-

• 4 different Color Contrast controls
• Highlight links
• Pause Animations
• Text resizing
• Text spacing
• Dyslexia Friendly style sheet

Further information on accessibility options

The RNIB has a webpage with information on options that computers have which can make it easier for people with low or no vision to use them. - RNB Accessibility Options

Accessible Alternatives

Efforts have been made to create accessible alternatives for content that does not meet standards where possible.

Where appropriate we may be able to deliver content to users in accordance with their needs.

Please see “Make a request for Accessible Content” section for further details.

Make a request for Accessible Content

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille; Please fill out details in Contact us form or use the appropriate details, below.

Contact Details for Wakefield Council

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Purpose of Links

Wakefield Council will use links to navigate to content on the website. External links will open in a new window.

Where possible the action of an external link will be described by extra description within the link text, so all users can understand the link’s purpose. However, in certain areas of the website adding this extra description will become a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations.

We have provided the following definition for external links: -

External Links will be used for any content that has known limitations with assistive technologies OR navigates a user away from secure platforms. In summary, this means the following items are considered External links –

• Non-HTML Documentation (See “Issues with PDFs and other documents”)
• Redirection away from secure platforms
• External websites that are not part of Wakefield Council.

Contact us and Complaints Procedure

We are always looking for ways to improve the Wakefield CtS website. If you find any problems that are not listed within this statement, or believe we are not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations please contact us on –

Contact Details for Wakefield Council

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Enforcement Procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) responsible for enforcing the accessibility regulations. If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Services (EASS)

Technical Information about this Website’s Accessibility

Wakefield Council are 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 2.1 (WCAG) AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed in the following section, “Non-Accessible Content”.

Non-Accessible Content : Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

During our last review of this website it has come to our attention that there are areas of the website that fail to meet WCAG 2.1: -

Issues with Heading Levels

Some of our content pages have skipped heading levels and do not follow sequential pattern.

Our content authors are reviewing content

Issues with Progressive Disclosure

This website uses JavaScript to deliver Progressive Disclosure items. Please make sure you have JavaScript turned on within your browser to deliver full features;

High Contrast issues

It has come to our attention that some of our content isn’t displayed correctly with our high-contrast design. This means it will be difficult for visually impaired users who may require this design to see all content. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.4.6 Contrast (Advanced) a Level AAA requirement.

This website passes 1.4.3 Colour Contrast (Minimum) which is the standard Level AA requirement. 

Screen-Reader reading issues with Landmark regions

It has come to our attention that some of our accessibility features are not correctly contained within landmarks. This means it will be difficult for screen-reader users to find all content using landmarks. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.3.1 and 4.1.1.

Navigating the website can still be achieved by using heading levels and link text.

Screen-Reader reading issues with Status Messages

It has come to our attention that status messages alerting users to changes within content are not being read out. This means it will be difficult for screen-reader users to become notified of changes within our websites. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.3 Status Message.

Finding these details can still be achieved by navigating to the first line of content after the search results page.

Issues with PDFs and other documents

Many of our older PDFs and Word documents do not meet accessibility standards - for example, they may not be marked up to be accessible for a screen reader.

Some of our PDFs and Word documents are essential to providing our services. For example, we have PDFs with Easy Read Information on how users can access our services. We plan to either fix these or replace them with accessible HTML pages.

The accessibility regulations don’t require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services.

Issues with images, video and audio

Live video streams have captions auto added by YouTube, not all videos are currently checked for the accuracy of their captioning.

Disproportionate Burden

There are no issues that are considered a disproportionate burden.

Content that is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

Web Content that is not subject to the standards referenced in this policy statement are as follows: -

1. Content that is archived.
2. Content on intranets and extranets published before 23/09/2019
3. Non-HTML Documentation (PDFs, Microsoft Office files) that were published before 23/09/2018.
4. Non-HTML Documentation (PDFs, Microsoft Office files) that are not essential to the services Wakefield provides.
5. Live Audio and Video
6. Pre-recorded Audio and Video published before 23/09/2020
7. Online Maps and mapping services
8. Third Party Content that is not under direct control of Wakefield or main website provider – Google Translate, Social Media links

Policy Review

This statement was prepared on 24/08/2022. Wakefield will review this policy every year. This policy was last reviewed on [last review date], by [reviewer].