1. Using this website
This website is run by Middlesbrough 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 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)
- View the website using any device e.g. mobile phone, tablet, desktop computer
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
Please note this website may not function correctly if you are using an older browser i.e. Internet Explorer. It is recommended for those users using Internet Explorer that they instead use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
2. How accessible is this website?
All of this website is compliant with the W3C WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standard. Any future accessibility issues that are found through regular testing will be added to section 8 of this page.
3. 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: email digital@middlesbrough.gov.uk
We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 10 working days.
4. 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, contact the Middlesbrough Council Digital Team by emailing the issue to digital@middlesbrough.gov.uk.
5. 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).
6. Technical information about this website’s accessibility
Middlesbrough 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 under section two of this page.
7. How we test this website
This website is tested every 7 days. The tests are carried out by the Middlesbrough Council Digital team using online accessibility reporting tools and manual testing. Required changes that are discovered as a result of these tests will be implemented within two months.
8. Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations and what we are doing to improve accessibility
- There are currently no accessibility issues on this website
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The below items we previously identified as not being accessible have now been fixed.
| Issue | Action | Fixed date |
| Some images contain text | Images have either been replaced with accessible images without text or a text alternative has been made available | June 2020 |
| Certain parts of the website are not read aloud correctly by a screen reader | Elements of the website have been rebuilt so that everything can be read aloud by screen readers and other assistive technology | July 2020 |
| Not all elements of the website can be accessed by using a keyboard only | Elements of the website have been rebuilt so the full site can be accessed by a keyboard only. | August 2020 |
| A skip to content button was not available | This button has been added to the header of the website to assist those users who use screen readers to access this website | August 2020 |
| Not all images have alt text in place | All images have been checked and suitable alt text has been added as required | August 2020 |
| Certain links do not have a suitable name assigned | All links have been rebuilt as required with a name assigned. This means that those users using a screen reader will have full access to the website | August 2020 |
| When using a keyboard only it is not clear which element is being selected | Borders have been added round all elements that can be selected when navigation through the website using a keyboard only | August 2020 |
| The cog icon button at the bottom of the website did not have a name assigned | A name has now been assigned to this button | December 2020 |
| Elements on the homepage that require you to enter information e.g. email address or search terms do not have labels correctly assigned which could make it difficult for those using assistive technologies to use the website | A suitable label has been added to each element as required | June 2021 |
| Some elements of the website can not be zoomed correctly. Meaning those users that require to magnifying the website may find it difficult to use | The correct zooms settings are now in place | June 2021 |
| More than one ID value was the same, meaning those using assistive technology may have struggled to access this website fully. | This element has been reviewed and replaced as required. | April 2022 |
| ID attribute value must be unique | This element has been reviewed and replaced as required. | August 2022 |
| Elements should not have tabindex greater than zero | This element has been reviewed and replaced as required. | August 2022 |
This statement was prepared on 16/06/2020. It was last updated on 11/08/2022.
