Accessibility statement
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is committed to making the Adoption Tees Valley website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
This statement applies to adoptionteesvalley.org.uk
This website is run by Stockton-on-Tees Borough 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
- 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 have also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.
Visit the AbilityNet website which has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
Compliance status
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and the exemptions listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
Some pages on this website require scrolling in two dimensions on small screens, this fails WCAG 2.1 AA 1.4.10.
On some pages there is not sufficient contrast between the text and background colours, this fails WCAG 2.0 AA 1.4.3.
There are two items within the main navigation bar included in a list tag that should not be, this fails WCAG 2.0 A 4.1.1.
Images used on the section above the footer on each page for different call to actions have alternative text that is the same as the adjacent text, this fails WCAG 2.0 A 1.1.1.
On a small number of pages there are empty headings this fails WCAG 2.0 A 1.3.1.
Links
On some pages the link text used: does not explain the purpose and the same text is used repeatedly for different pages, this fails WCAG 2.0 A 2.4.4.
On some pages, there are empty links which fail WCAG 2.0 A 4.1.2.
Links are only distinguishable by colour on this website which fails WCAG 2.0 A 1.4.1.
Links within the website footer and within body text are not far enough apart from other links, which fails WCAG 2.2 AA 2.5.8.
PDFs
PDFs included on this website are not accessible because:
- they are not machine readable which fails WCAG 2.0 A 1.1.1
- they do not include a title which fails WCAG 2.0 A 2.4.2
- they do not include headings or tags which fails WCAG 2.0 A 1.3.1
- on some pages the text colour does not contrast sufficiently with the background colour which fails WCAG 2.0 A 1.4.3
Forms
On some pages form controls do not contrast sufficiently with the background, this fails WCAG 2.1 AA 1.4.11.
On some pages the purpose of fields on forms included on this website are not identified programmatically because they do not include an autocomplete attribute this fails WCAG 2.1 AA 1.3.5.
On some pages our form controls do not have labels this fails WCAG 2.0 A 1.3.1.
Our forms do not contain fieldsets that describe the content of the forms this fails WCAG 2.0 A 1.3.1.
Videos
On various pages, YouTube videos are embedded that do not include a frame title, this fails WCAG 2.0 A 2.4.1.
Content is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
Google maps
A small number of our pages include an embedded Google map, the map marker icon within these does not include a label for screen readers, this fails WCAG AA 2.1 4.1.2.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
We are currently working across our services to ensure all content produced for the website is in an accessible format. We regularly review our accessibility through user testing of new content and online services and manual testing using NVDA and diagnostic software such as Wave, Axe and Silktide to ensure compliance of WCAG 2.2 AA standards and AAA where possible.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 25 September 2024.
This website is tested regularly using diagnostic software called Silktide. Manual testing is also carried out on a regular basis for new content. Testing is carried out by our Digital and Website Development Team.
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, contact digital.accessibility@stockton.gov.uk
Feedback and contact information
If you need information on this website in a different format such as accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille email info@adoptionteesvalley.org.uk
We'll consider your request and get back to you as soon as possible.
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 are not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).