Accessibility

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Accessibility Statement

This accessibility statement applies to ourrochdale.org.uk

This website is run by The Family Information Service at Rochdale Borough Council. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, this means you should be able to:

  • Understand the page name as our web pages have page titles that clearly describe their topic or purpose.
  • Use the website easier as we have a logical navigation order.
  • Use the content page structure as it's presented and maintained in a meaningful sequence.
  • Use descriptive links on our website so they can be read out of context and users know where they will go next.
  • Use the digital inclusion software Browsealoud (including; read aloud text to speech, translation, text magnification, convert text to mp3 audio, screen mask, web page simplifier and customising options)
  • Use google translate (over 100 languages available)
  • Change colours, contrast levels and fonts.
  • Zoom in up to 300% 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).

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

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:

  • Most older PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software.
  • You may find it difficult to pinch and zoom using some devices.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:

  • Email family.info@rochdale.gov.uk
  • Phone 01706 719900
  • Write to: Family Information Service, Early Help and Schools Floor 4, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU

When contacting us please tell us:

  1. The web address (URL) of the content.
  2. Your name and email address.
  3. The format you need, for example, audio CD, braille or large print.

We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 5 working days.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please

  • Email family.info@rochdale.gov.uk
  • Phone 01706 719900
  • Write to: Family Information Service, Early Help and Schools Floor 4, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU

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).

Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person

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

If you contact us before your visit we can arrange a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.

Call or email us to contact us.

Technical information about this website's accessibility

Rochdale Borough Council is committed to making its 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 and exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content

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

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Success criterion 2.1.1 (Keyboard)

There is a line of code in the site’s master template that may prevent some users from pinching and zooming to magnify the content on screen on a mobile phone or tablet. We are looking to fix this issue. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.1.1 (keyboard).

Disproportionate burden

We've assessed the cost of fixing the following issues. We believe that doing so now would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations.  

  • There are no issues that are currently being listed as being assessed as a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations. However, this may change over the coming months as we audit and develop the website further.

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

The following types of content do not need to be fixed on the website because they are exempt from the accessibility regulations.

  • PDFs and other documents - some of our PDFs and Word documents are essential to providing our services. For example, we have PDFs with information from external agencies. These are currently being made accessible or link to the pdf on the host website.
    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. Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards except for those printable versions of colouring and craft activities for parents to do with their children.
  • Live and audio video - we do not plan to add captions to live video streams because live video is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.  
  • Maps - we have added essential information in an accessible format like an address.
  • Pre-recorded audio and video - we are not required to fix pre-recorded audio and video content published before 23 September 2020.
  • Third party content - content on social media sites that is under someone else's control.

What we're doing to improve accessibility

Our accessibility roadmap shows how and when we plan to improve accessibility on this website. Our roadmap includes:

  • Working with the website provider to do audit testing to identify and fix any accessibility issues.
  • Plain English - the language used on the site will, where possible, be concise, easy to understand and free from jargon and technical terms. We currently have a glossary for any abbreviations within our website that gives the full title and can give an explanation.
  • Undertaking a review of pdf and word documents from external agencies to ensure they meet accessibility standards.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on Friday, 18 September 2020. It is continuously being reviewed over the coming months, as and when accessibility issues are improved.

Browsealoud

Browsealoud reads web pages aloud for people who find it difficult to read online. Reading large amounts of text on screen can be difficult for those with literacy and visual impairment such as dyslexia, learning difficulties, mild visual impairments and those who speak English as an additional language.

Try it out - it's free

Click on the Browsealoud launchpad image that appears on the top left hand corner of your screen to open.

Browsealoud support services voices and languages (734KB pdf)

Then simply click on any text to hear it read out aloud.

What else can Browsealoud do?

Browsealoud offers a host of reading and translation support including:

  • Text-to-speech: click on or select any text to hear it read aloud
  • Translation: written and spoken translations in multiple languages
  • Text magnification: enlarges text and reads it out loud
  • Mp3 generation: converts selected text into an MP3 audio file
  • Screen mask: blocks distractions on screen with a tinted mask
  • Web page simplifier: removes clutter from the screen, displaying only the main text
  • Settings: customise options to suit individual needs or preferences

All the features are accessed from an easy-to-use, floating toolbar - allowing you to drag and drop it anywhere on screen.