Accessibility statement

Find out more about how we are working to make our website as accessible and usable as possible.

Accessibility Statement for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Website

Scope

This statement covers all web pages, documents, and interactive features on the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council website, ensuring that everyone, including people with disabilities, can access our content and services.

Compliance Status

Our website is partially compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA standards. We strive to meet all accessibility criteria but acknowledge that some areas may not fully comply. This includes certain PDFs, images, and interactive features, which may pose challenges for some users.

Non-Accessible Content

We are aware of specific accessibility issues:

  • PDF Documents: Some older PDFs and Word documents are not fully accessible to screen readers. We are working to convert these into accessible formats.
  • Images: A number of images lack alternative text, making them inaccessible to users who rely on screen readers. We are in the process of updating these.
  • Interactive Tools: Certain forms and interactive elements may not be fully usable with assistive technologies. We are reviewing these features to enhance their accessibility.

We are committed to addressing these issues through ongoing updates and improvements.

Feedback and Contact Information

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any barriers or need information in an alternative format, please reach out to us:

  • Email: webadministrator@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk – please include the word ‘accessibility’ in the subject line.
  • Phone: 01642 774774
  • Postal Address: Communications Team, Redcar and Cleveland House, Redcar, TS10 1RT

Our team will respond to your inquiries within twenty working days and work to resolve any accessibility issues promptly.

Preparation of this Accessibility Statement

This accessibility statement was prepared through self-assessment, where we evaluated our website’s accessibility against WCAG 2.1 AA standards. Feedback from users and internal audits informed our findings and actions. Moving forward, we plan to conduct a formal audit with external experts to ensure comprehensive compliance.

Statement Preparation Date

This accessibility statement was prepared on 29 August 2024. It reflects our ongoing commitment to improving accessibility for all users.

Review Date

We review our accessibility statement annually to ensure it remains accurate and up-to-date. The next review is scheduled for 24 August 2025. Any significant changes to the website or identified issues will prompt an earlier review.

Redcar & Cleveland Information Directory (RCiD)

The below information makes reference to the Redcar & Cleveland Information Directory website. 

To enhance the accessibility of our online content, we are undertaking a comprehensive project to convert all PDF documents on our site into HTML pages. This initiative addresses several key accessibility concerns:

  1. Improved Navigability and Readability: HTML pages are inherently more accessible than PDFs, as they allow for better integration with screen readers, keyboard navigation, and other assistive technologies. This change will ensure that users can more easily access, read, and interact with the content.
  2. Responsive Design: HTML content can be more easily adapted to different screen sizes and orientations, providing a better user experience on mobile devices and tablets.
  3. Consistent User Experience: By converting PDF documents to HTML, we ensure that all users have a consistent and seamless experience when accessing information on our site.

This project is ongoing and will be completed over a number of months given the scope and scale of the conversion process. 

In addition to this, we are also updating link text across our website to provide users with clear, descriptive information about the links' destinations and functions. This initiative will include:

  1. Descriptive Link Text: Ensuring that all link text clearly describes the purpose or destination of the link, avoiding generic phrases like "click here" or "read more." For example, instead of "click here for more information," a link might say "learn more about our accessibility features."
  2. Contextual Clarity: Providing enough context in link text so that users can understand the link's purpose without needing to rely on surrounding content.

These updates are being made in strict adherence to the WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 standards, specifically targeting the following success criteria:

  • WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content): Ensuring all non-text content has a text alternative.
  • WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships): Ensuring information and relationships conveyed through presentation can be programmatically determined.
  • WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 2.4.4 (Link Purpose - In Context): Providing clear and descriptive link text that conveys the purpose of each link.
  • WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 2.4.9 (Link Purpose - Link Only): Ensuring each link can be understood when read in isolation.
  • WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 2.4.10 (Section Headings): Using section headings to organize content.
  • WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 3.2.3 (Consistent Navigation): Ensuring navigation is consistent across pages.

We are committed to making our website as accessible and user-friendly as possible, and these enhancements are a vital part of that commitment. We appreciate your patience and support as we work to implement these important changes. If you have any feedback or encounter any accessibility issues, please do not hesitate to contact the Communications Team using the contact information detailed above. 

By prioritising accessibility, we aim to create an inclusive digital environment where all users can access the information and services they need with ease and confidence.

We will continue to assess and update all sites that form the RCBC corporate website estate to ensure ongoing compliance with WCAG standards.