Copy the HTML content below this box and paste it into your website page editor (use the HTML or source code view in your CMS). Then work through the following steps before publishing:
This accessibility statement applies to the website at [your website URL, for example www.yourcouncil.gov.uk].
This website is run by Parish Online on behalf of [COUNCIL NAME]. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:
We have 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.
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:
⚠ INSTRUCTION – DELETE THIS BOX BEFORE PUBLISHING: The bullet points below may or may not apply depending on your content. Remove any that do not apply. Each item you keep here must also appear in the Non-accessible content section below with a planned fix date.
If you find any problems not listed on this page, or think we are not meeting accessibility requirements, contact:
⚠ INSTRUCTION – DELETE THIS BOX BEFORE PUBLISHING: Add your council's contact details below. You must include at least one contact method. Remove any contact methods that do not apply.
We will consider your request and get back to you within [number, for example 5] working days.
If you need information on this website in a different format such as accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, contact us using the details above.
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).
[COUNCIL NAME] 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 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
⚠ INSTRUCTION – DELETE THIS BOX BEFORE PUBLISHING: The entries below relate to content your council manages and uploads. Remove any that do not apply to your website. For each entry you keep, replace [DATE] with a realistic target date. Do not publish with [DATE] still showing.
Images without text alternatives: Some images uploaded to the website do not have a text alternative (alt text), meaning people using a screen reader cannot access the information they contain. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text content). When we publish new content we will ensure our images meet accessibility standards. We plan to address existing images by [DATE].
Colour contrast in documents: Some uploaded documents contain text with insufficient colour contrast, making them difficult to read for people with visual impairments. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.3 (Contrast – Minimum). We plan to review and update affected documents by [DATE].
Tables without row headings: Some tables on the website or in uploaded documents do not have row headings, making it harder for screen reader users to understand the data. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships). We plan to correct these by [DATE].
Inconsistent heading structure: Some pages use heading elements in an inconsistent order, which can make navigation harder for screen reader users. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships). We plan to review and correct heading structures by [DATE].
PDFs and other documents published before 23 September 2018
The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they are not essential to providing our services. We have assessed the cost and effort involved in fixing these documents and believe that doing so now would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations. This assessment will be reviewed by [DATE – recommended within 12 months of publishing this statement].
Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.
⚠ INSTRUCTION – DELETE THIS BOX BEFORE PUBLISHING: Live video is only relevant if your council streams meetings or events online. If you do not stream live video, delete this instruction box, the sub-heading below, and the paragraph that follows it.
Live video
We do not plan to add captions to live video streams because live video is exempt from the accessibility regulations.
⚠ INSTRUCTION – DELETE THIS BOX BEFORE PUBLISHING: Edit the paragraph below to reflect what your council actually does. The text is a starting point – tailor it before publishing.
We review the accessibility of this website on a regular basis. We work with Parish Online to address platform-level accessibility issues as they are identified. Staff responsible for adding content to the website are expected to follow accessibility best practice, including providing alt text for images and ensuring documents meet colour contrast standards before uploading.
This statement was prepared on [DATE FIRST PUBLISHED]. It was last reviewed on [DATE OF LAST REVIEW].
This website is tested every 3 months against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard using in-house testing tools.