Accessibility

Website accessibility statement

This accessibility statement applies to content published on the find-information-for-adults-children-families.southglos.gov.uk sub domain.  It does not apply to content published on other service.southglos.gov.uk sub domains (for example beta.southglos.gov.uk, careers.southglos.gov.uk) or www.southglos.gov.uk.

This website (find-information-for-adults-children-families.southglos.gov.uk) is run by South Gloucestershire Council.

We are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliance listed below.

How accessible this website is

We make every effort to ensure this website is easy to read by using plain English. We have made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

The text size for this site can be changed using your browser.

  • Chrome: Select the "View" menu then "Zoom In" or "Zoom Out"
  • Internet Explorer: Select the "View" menu then "Text size"
  • FireFox: Select the "View" menu then "Zoom" or "Zoom text only"
  • Safari: Select the "View" menu then "Make text bigger" or "Make text smaller"
  • Opera: Select the "View" menu then "Zoom"

We have not used access keys as they can often interfere with the default keyboard shortcuts of modern browsers. The content is easily tab-navigable and screen-reader friendly. We have tried to make our site as accessible as possible.

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

We are committed to making this website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

This website and its design elements are HTML5 and CSS3 compliant and aim to be compliant with Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 AA standard.

Browser support

This website is designed and tested to work on the two most recent versions of all major desktop web browsers.

Mobile support

This website is built with Bootstrap, a popular open source framework that uses responsive design to change the page layout for different screen sizes.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

WCAG 1.4.10 Reflow

At 400% zoom, once expanded the 'Privacy' button does not reflow to fit the webpage. The user cannot view content such as 'Store and/or access information on a device (636 partners)'

At 400% zoom, the advertisement at the bottom of the webpage covers content and does not reflow to fit the webpage. Users cannot fully view '© South Gloucestershire Council 2019. Powered by Idox'

Non-HTML documents

Some PDF documents do not comply with WCAG 2.1. We are working to ensure all future PDF documents are compliant.

PDFs and other documents

Many of our older PDFs and Word documents do not meet accessibility standards – for example, they may not be structured so they are accessible to a screen reader. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2 (name, role value).

Some of our PDFs and Word documents are essential to providing our services. For example, we have PDFs with information on how users can access our services, and forms published as Word documents. We are working to fix these or replace them with accessible HTML pages.

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.

Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

Help on accessibility

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

This includes how to easily set your own text and background contrast colours on your computer, if you find certain combinations difficult to read.

Feedback and contact information

What to do if you cannot 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, contact us by:

We will consider your request and get back to you in 10 working days.

Contact us by phone or in person

We provide a text relay service for people who are deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment.

Our offices have audio induction loops, or if you contact us before your visit we can arrange a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.

Find out how to contact us.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that are not listed on this page, or think we are not meeting accessibility requirements, contact us.

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).

How we tested this website

We regularly use Siteimprove and WCAG guidelines to test the accessibility of this website and address any issues.

We also use the following tools to help test this website:

These were last tested on 22 January 2024.

What we are doing to improve accessibility

We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of this website. This includes liaising with our software providers around non-compliant elements such as those described above.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

  • this statement was prepared on 4 October 2019
  • it was last reviewed on 22 January 2024
  • South Gloucestershire Council is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No.2) Accessibility Regulations 2018