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 issues that are found relating to accessibility through regular routine 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. What we are doing to improve accessibility

Our accessibility road map below shows how we aim to improve accessibility across this website.

IssueTarget fix date
There are currently no accessibility issues on this websiteN/A

The following elements have been fixed in relation to accessibility Fixed date
A skip to content button was not available for those users navigating the website using a keyboard only. This is now in placeAug 20
All PDF documents were not fully accessible. All documents that are available on this website have been update as required to make fully accessible.Jul 20
The cog that appears in the bottom left of the website once a user sets their cookie preferences did not have a name assignedDec 20
Some alt tags were missing from the website homepage. The homepage has been reviewed and all images have now been assigned an Alt tagNov 21
Alt text was not always used following best practice as it didn’t describe the image used. The homepage has been reviewed and alt text has been replaced where requiredNov 21
Some elements had a tabindex greater than zero, this has been resolved.Aug 22
Not all frames used across the website had an accessible name, this has been resolvedAug 22

This statement was prepared on 09/06/2020. It was last updated on 10/08/2022.