Accessibility Statement

This website is run by Adult Community Learning. 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
• zoom in up to 400% 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’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.

 

How accessible this website is

• We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:
• Press Esc on a Submenus takes you up 2 levels
• The scroll to the top button can not be accessed with a keyboard
• Some heading levels for screen readers are missing
• Focus indicator on Youtube is difficult to see
• When text spacing is increased News article forward and back buttons are only partially visible
• Some focus styles cover text
• Some parts of the website have no focus styles or focus styles which are difficult to see
• Some buttons have no text alternative name
• There are abbreviations present without a full description
• Some hidden elements are reading out on the screen reader in error
• Most links have the incorrect role of button announced on a screen reader
• Some menu items have no visible labels or roles
• Youtube videos are not identified to screen reader users
• Some images are set up as links.
• The menu does not work with the expected keys for screen reader

 

Feedback and contact information

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

• marketing@essex.gov.uk
• 0345 603 7635

We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 20 days.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

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, email the Accessibility Team at acl.marketing@essex.gov.uk

 

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).

 

Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person

We provide a text relay service for people who are D/deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment.

Our offices have audio induction loops, or if you contact us before your visit we can arrange a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.

You can contact us by

• marketing@essex.gov.uk
• 0345 603 7635

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Essex 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.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed.

 

Non-accessible content

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

 

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

 

Not all functionality is operable with a keyboard or cannot be operated easily, meaning keyboard only users cannot interact with them or they cannot be easily dismissed. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.1.1 (Keyboard)

Some headings do not exist making it difficult for users of assistive technologies to navigate. Some elements are also implemented incorrectly. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships)

When increasing text-spacing some objects becomes obscured, focus styles obscure text. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.12 (Text Spacing).

Some elements on the website do not include focus styles or clear focus styles. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.7 (Focus visible)

There are instances where the visible label does not match the accessible name making it difficult for users of assistive technologies to interact with certain elements. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.5.3 (Label in name)

There are instances where words have been abbreviated without a first instance showing the word in full.  This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 3.1.4 (Abbreviations)

Some form controls do not have a visible label making it difficult for some users to identify their purpose. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 3.3.2 (Labels or instructions)

Some elements that require a role or name have none, making it difficult to understand the purpose if you rely on a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value)

We plan to address the above by August 2024.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 7 May 2024.

This website was last tested on 7 May 2024. The test was carried out by Essex County Council.