Accessibility statement for the Zone (Recycle Devon) website

Introduction

This website is run by Recycle Devon on behalf Devon County Council. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

  • change colours, contrast levels and fonts using browser settings
  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen using browser settings
  • 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

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.

Translation

If you would like information on our website translated into another language, you may find one of the services listed below meets your needs. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any external website or free website translators.

Under some circumstances, for example, if you cannot read the information easily in English, you can request information in a different language from us. This includes British Sign Language, easy read or a foreign language. Please contact our customer service centre for advice.

How accessible is this website?

This website has been developed to be as accessible as possible. However, we know some parts of this website aren’t fully accessible:

  • there are a number of older PDF documents that are not fully accessible to screen reader software or tagged appropriately.
  • Some documents are designed to be downloaded specifically for print e.g. class worksheets, or as a visual aids in the classroom e.g.: PowerPoint presentation.
  • some images do not have a text alternative, so people using a screen reader cannot access the information
  • some content does not have enough contrast, so people with moderate visual impairments may struggle to read it
  • some controls do not change their appearance when selected
  • some links are not distinct enough and may be difficult for people with moderate visual impairments to read
  • some content may be difficult to navigate using a screen reader

What to do if you can’t access parts of this website

Our service is designed to support schools and youth groups such as Scouts & Girl Guiding groups in Devon to educate children about sustainable waste management.  We are able to provide assistance over the phone or in person at your school or meeting place in Devon.  Please contact us using the contact details at the end of this statement
If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please contact us using the contact details at the end of this statement.
We’ll consider your request and get back to you as soon as possible.

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 the requirements of the accessibility regulations, contact us using the contact details at the end of this statement.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing 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

 Devon County Council is committed to making its website accessible, under the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance

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

Non-accessible content

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

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Documents
A few PDF documents published since September 2018 aren’t fully accessible to screen reader software. These are being reviewed and will be made accessible as soon as possible. Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

Images
Some images do not have a text alternative, so people using a screen reader cannot access the information. We plan to add text alternatives for all images by the end of September 2020. When we publish new content, we will make sure our use of images meets accessibility standards.
There are a few interactive images with ‘hot spots’ such as the process diagram for the Exeter Energy from waste plant.  These may not work with screen readers.  These are being reviewed and will be made accessible as soon as possible. Any new interactive images we publish will meet accessibility standards.

Some content does not have enough contrast, so people with moderate visual impairments may struggle to read it.  These are being reviewed and will be made accessible by the end of September 2020. Any new content we publish will meet accessibility standards.

Navigation and accessing information
Some controls do not change their appearance when selected. We are working with the web developer to amend this as soon as possible
Some links are not distinct enough and may be difficult for people with moderate visual impairments to read. These are being reviewed and will be made accessible as soon as possible.
Some content such as tabbed pages, may be difficult to navigate using a screen reader. These are being reviewed and will be made accessible as soon as possible. Any new content we publish will meet accessibility standards.

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

PDFs and other documents
Documents published before 23 September 2018
Some teaching resources such as the Composting Curriculum are comprised of multiple resources including PDFs, Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents and were published before September 2018.  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. We’ve assessed them and believe that they do not provide essential information about the service that isn’t available through other accessible methods.  Any new documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

Classroom Resources
Some documents are designed to be downloaded specifically for printing e.g. class worksheets, or as a visual aid for use in the classroom e.g.: PowerPoint presentation.  We’ve assessed them and believe that they do not provide essential information about the service that isn’t available through other accessible methods. It is the teacher’s responsibility to adapt resources to meet the needs of their pupils.

Documents created by external organisations
There are a number of documents such as the Plastic Pollution Teaching Resources, created by the Environment Agency, that we hold on our website.  These may not meet accessibility standards.  We will work with partners to ensure that any new content hosted on the Zone website meet accessibility standards.

Videos & external links
There are a number of links to videos provided by external organisations.
This website provides links a number of third-party, external websites or services that may not be fully accessible.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

 We are training all content authors to ensure new content is accessible. We monitor this website weekly and we aim to address any issues promptly. We will be reviewing this site regularly and updating this statement accordingly.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 16th September 2020. It was last reviewed on xxx
A sample of this website (125 pages of the current 189 pages) is scanned for WCAG 2.1 compliance issues using a third-party automated service on a weekly basis.  The whole site will be scanned at least annually

Contact us

For any enquiries about the accessibility of this website, you can contact us by:

  • emailing recycle@devon.gov.uk
  • calling 0345 155 1015 and asking for the ‘Waste Education Team’
  • post at Waste Education Team, Room 21, Matford Offices, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 4QD

British Sign Language users can contact us using an online interpreter who will relay your conversation with an appropriate member of Devon County Council staff, and then sign back to you their response to your questions.