This page outlines our web accessibility policy, goals and accomplishments related to our website and how to contact us if you experience any problems.
The website is managed by Billinge Parish Council (BPC). We want as many people as possible to be able to use it. As such, you should be able to:
- change colours, contrast levels and fonts
- zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
- navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
- listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver).
We have included an Accessibility Helper at the top left side of your screen. Please use this to help you adjust the font size, colour and contrast to your own preferences. We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand. AbilityNet has advice on making devices easier for people with a disability to use so that you can:
- make your mouse easier to use
- use your keyboard instead of a mouse
- make your device talk to you
- talk to your device
- make text larger
- change your colours
- magnify the screen.
We know some parts of this website aren’t fully accessible as:
- some of our online forms can be difficult to navigate using just a keyboard
- some of our documents aren’t fully accessible to screen readers
- live video streams do not have captions
- the mapping system does not always work well on mobile devices
- the bottom of some images may be obscured by the title caption field
What to do if you can’t access parts of this website
If you need information on this website in a different format, like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please contact us. Use our REPORT A PROBLEM link in our Accessibility Helper sidebar or use our contact form or call us on 07483 325064.
We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 10 working days.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that aren’t listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact us. Use our REPORT A PROBLEM link in our Accessibility Helper sidebar or use our contact form or call us on 07483 325064.
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 have made a complaint and you’re not happy with our response contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
Billinge Chapel End Parish Council is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the accessibility regulations.
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliance issues listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons:
Issues with images
Some images don’t yet have a text alternative (alt text), so the information in them isn’t available to people using a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content). We plan to add alt text to all images as we move forward. When we publish new content we’ll make sure any images we use meet accessibility standards.
Some images contain text, so people with dyslexia or those using a screen reader will not be able to read the information. This fails WCAG success criterion 1.4.5 (Images of Text). We plan to review where these images are used and reduce their use as much as possible. Where they remain we will ensure any text in the image is given in the alt text.
Issues with PDFs and other documents
Currently 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. However, if you need information in an alternative format, or want to inform us of an accessibility issue, please use our REPORT A PROBLEM link in our Accessibility Helper sidebar or use our contact form or call us on 07483 325064.
Issues with video files
Where videos, or links to videos, are provided they may not have adequate captions.
Issues with contrast
We are aware that some of the text on the site needs more colour contrast. Contrast issues with text, links, buttons and form elements. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3 (Contrast – Minimum). We are working to improve this.
Issues with forms
If an error shows where a mandatory field has not been completed correctly after a form is submitted, the ARIA reference for this error is not correct.
HTML issues
Some of the HTML code we use to embed certain features may include outdated coding.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
The content listed below is non-accessible and is outside the scope of the regulations.
PDFs and other documents
As noted, many of our older PDFs and Word documents do not meet accessibility standards – for example, they may not be structured so they’re accessible to a screen reader. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2 (name, role value).
The accessibility regulations do not require 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 minutes of older Council meetings. However, newer PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.
Other exemptions from the accessibility regulations.
The following areas are also excluded under section 4 (2) of the Regulations
- reproductions of heritage documents
- making online maps accessible.
Disproportionate Burden
We are unable to add transcripts to audio files at Level A/AA. This would be a disproportionate burden
How we tested this website
This website was last tested in February 2022. The test was carried out internally. We selected a sample of pages that covered all of the sections within the website.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
We hope to continue to improve accessibility on our website. We would be grateful for any feedback of areas where further improvements are required.
This statement was prepared on 18th February 2022.
