Accessibility statement
Introduction
This website is run by Devon 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:
- change colours, contrast levels and fonts using browser settings
- zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen using browser settings
- 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
We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.
The My Computer My Way guide from AbilityNet is a step-by-step guide to help you make your device easier to use if you have a disability.
Translation
If you would like information on our website translated into another language, you may find one of the services listed below meets your needs. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any external website or free website translators.
Under some circumstances, for example, if you cannot read the information easily in English, you can request information in a different language from us. This includes British Sign Language, easy read or a foreign language. Please contact our customer service centre for advice.
How accessible is this website?
This website has been developed to be as accessible as possible. However, we know some parts of this website aren’t fully accessible. For example:
- some older PDF documents aren’t fully accessible to screen reader software
- some images do not have a text alternative, so people using a screen reader cannot access the information
- some controls on pages – this may include links, buttons, and fields – do not show when they have been selected by the keyboard
- some of our online forms are difficult to navigate using just a keyboard
- some other content may be difficult to navigate using a screen reader
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 using the contact details at the end of this statement.
We’ll consider your request and get back to you as soon as possible.
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 the requirements of the accessibility regulations, contact us using the contact details at the end of this statement.
Enforcement procedure
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the accessibility regulations. If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
Devon County Council is committed to making its website accessible, under the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Compliance
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.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
A few PDF documents published since September 2018 aren’t fully accessible to screen reader software. These are being reviewed and will be accessible as soon as possible. Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.
Some content and functionality on the website is not easy to use for users of assistive technology such as a screen reader. We are reviewing these issues and plan to fix them as soon as possible.
Some controls on our pages – this may include links, buttons, and fields – do not show when they have been selected by the keyboard. We are reviewing these issues and plan to fix them as soon as possible.
Some images do not have a text alternative, so people using a screen reader cannot access the information. We plan to add text alternatives for all images as soon as possible. When we publish new content, we will make sure our use of images meets accessibility standards.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
PDFs and other documents
Some 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.
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.
Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.
Videos
Some of our older videos may not fully meet accessibility standards. The accessibility regulations do not require us to add captions to videos produced before 23 September 2020 if they’re not essential to providing our services. Any new videos we publish will meet accessibility standards.
Maps
We publish a number of maps that are not fully accessible. The accessibility regulations do not require us to make maps accessible, although we take steps to make them and the information they contain as accessible as possible.
External links and content
This website may link or embed content from third-party, external websites or services that are not fully accessible.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
We provide training to all content authors to ensure new content is accessible. We monitor this website weekly and we aim to address any issues promptly. We will be reviewing this site regularly and updating this statement accordingly.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 2 March 2022. It was last reviewed on 2 March 2022.
All pages of this website are audited for WCAG 2.1 compliance issues using a third-party automated service on a weekly basis.
Contact us
For any enquiries about the accessibility of this website, you can contact us by:
- emailing digitalcomms@devon.gov.uk
- calling 0345 155 1015 and asking for the ‘Digital Communications Team’
- post at Digital Communications Team (G59), County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 4QD
British Sign Language users can contact us using an online interpreter who will relay your conversation with an appropriate member of Devon County Council staff, and then sign back to you their response to your questions.