Accessibility

This accessibility statement applies to the Start a conversation website run by Leicestershire County Council.

We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

• Zoom in up to 300% without text spilling off the screen
• Navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
• Listen to most of the website using a screen reader

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

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

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:

• Some parts of the website may not be as easy to navigate with assistive technology than they should be e.g.
  • Alternative (alt) text is present but sometimes it isn't meaningful for assistive technology users
  • The order information is read out isn't always logical
  • Links aren't always read out by the screen reader
• It wasn't always obvious where you were on the page when navigating using a keyboard
• Form elements do not have associated labels
• Some text won't zoom to 300%
• It wasn't always obvious if a link was external

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:

email phpool@leics.gov.uk

call 0116 305 0705

write to us at Public Health Department, Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire, LE3 8TB

We'll consider your request and get back to you in 10 working days.

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, contact: Public Health Department, phpool@leics.gov.uk

We use Relay UK, a free app from BT which can help people with hearing and speech difficulties to communicate over the phone.

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).

Leicestershire 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' listed below.

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

• Some parts of the website may not be as easy to navigate with assistive technology than they should be e.g.
• Form elements don't have associated labels, e.g. on the My pledge page. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value)
• It wasn't always obvious if a link was external e.g. on event pages. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)

• Alternative (alt) text is present but sometimes it isn't meaningful for assistive technology users e.g. button for the save and cancel button on the My pledge page. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 Non-text Content.
• The order information is read out isn't always logical e.g. the infographics on the home page. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence.
• Link isn't read out by the screen reader when in a paragraph.
• It wasn't always obvious where you were on the page when navigating using a keyboard e.g. you have to do 2 extra tabs near the search on the menu. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.7 Focus Visible

We are working with our developer to resolve these issues by 31^st December 2023.

We will regularly review the accessibility of this website with automated accessibility tools and screen readers. We will also conduct manual testing exercises, and review any issues reported by users of the website. We will work with our developer to make improvements.

This statement was prepared on 7 September 2023.

This website was last tested on 6 September 2023. We did our own testing using the automated Lighthouse accessibility tool, Silktide and NVDA screen readers and manual testing exercises.

We tested a number of pages that included a wide range of functionality including banners, infographics, events listings, videos and online forms.