Accessibility

Accessibility statement for Surrey Local Offer

This accessibility statement applies to surreylocaloffer.org.uk.

This website is run by Surrey County Council. We are committed to providing an accessible website that is easy to use by anyone, whatever their age, background, access device or level of ability/disability.

This means that:

  • Our pages are written to be clear and easy to understand.
  • The website is organised so you can find what you need.

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've 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 have designed this website with features that make it easier to use by everyone, including those with visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, or neurological disabilities. We aim to reach the level "AA" of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These are the international standard for accessible websites and content.

How accessible is this website?

We know that some parts of this website are not yet fully accessible. We will continue to work to ensure that all of our website functions work well when used with access devices such as screen readers, braille readers, smart phones and other devices. View the list of supported Internet browsers.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information in a different format to the one that we provide, please email us at contact.centre@surreycc.gov.uk.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

Whilst all aspects of this website have been carefully designed to comply with international accessibility guidelines, there are many companies and people that maintain pages on the website, so there may be some elements that do not conform to all the guidelines. If you have any problems accessing our website or part of it, then please contact Web and Digital Services.

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).

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.

Compliance status

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

Non accessible content

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

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

PDF, Word documents and other files

Some documents published on this site may not be structured so they're accessible to a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2 (name, role value). These Word documents are intended as interactive resources for practitioners working with children and young people with additional needs and/ or disabilities, for example, forms, monitoring tools, templates etc. They are primarily designed to be printed out and completed manually.

All other documents, including documents essential for accessing services, are published as in an accessible PDF format. These are checked both manually and automatically before they are uploaded to the site.

If you are unable to read a document on our site, please contact us and we will help you. Please email us at localoffer@surreycc.gov.uk.

Directory page navigation buttons

Page navigation buttons in the Local Offer directory have a colour contrast of 3.13:1, failing to meet the WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3 (contrast minimum) of 4.5:1, following an update to the site branding. This will be remediated.

Images of text

Some images across the site include text. This fails WCAG 1.4.5. These will be phased out.

Video-only and audio-only content

There are embedded videos that contain text that is not audio described or included in closed captions. This fails WCAG 1.2.1. These will be phased out as new media becomes available.

Video captions (pre-recorded)

The video on the home page has contrast issues on some of the subtitles. This fails WCAG 1.2.2. These will be phased out as new media becomes available.

There are videos with captions that are auto-generated and contain some minor errors throughout. This fails WCAG 1.2.2. This is a third part provided video. We are working with the supplier to work towards providing accessible media.

Modal overlay holds focus

This fails WCAG 2.1.2. This is a Siteimprove issue which can not be rectified at the stage.

Content that's not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they're not essential to providing our services.

The accessibility regulations also do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents provided by third-parties that we have no control over.

Maps are excluded from the accessibility regulations as long as any essential navigational information they provide is available.

How we tested this website

We are currently undertaking an accessibility review combining a manual test of a sample of pages, as well as using Siteimprove accessibility checker for automated testing of the full website.

What we're doing to improve accessibility

We are developing an accessibility roadmap based on the outcome of our accessibility compliance review and this will show how and when we plan to improve accessibility on this website.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 10 December 2021. It was last reviewed on 22 April 2024.

Language used on the site

We regularly and proactively update language on the site, to keep it consistent with the current consensus on preferred terminology. In response to feedback from children and young people with additional needs and disabilities living in Surrey we have replaced the term 'special needs' with 'additional needs' where possible.

However, the laws and guidance that set out the rights of children and young people with additional needs and/ or disabilities were written using the language of the time. For the sake of clarity, we will sometimes use terminology that corresponds with the relevant legislation. This helps us to meet our statutory duty to provide accurate information about the support and services available for children and young people with additional needs and/ or disabilities in Surrey. In cases where this terminology is now considered outdated, we will strive to balance clarity with sensitivity.