Accessibility Statement | Accessibility Statement

West Sussex County Council, hereby known as West Sussex, is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. The West Sussex ConnectToSupport (CTS) website is intended to be accessed by anyone who needs help to continue living independently for longer. This website is run by West Sussex Adult Social Care Services.

This website should allow users to:

Change colours, contrast levels and size of text.
Modify the line height or spacing of text.
Zoom in up to 200% without the text spilling off the page.
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).

This website was launched on 9th April 2020 and is designed to be compliant with the international standard Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG) – Level AA.

The West Sussex CTS website contains several Accessible features that can be used by users with specific requirements. These features include:-

Voice Recognition

The West Sussex CTS website has been tested using voice recognition software. All form elements on the website have been labelled correctly so that they can be accessed using the name shown.

For example, saying “select Enter Search Term” and “click Search Button” will allow you to access the main search functionality of the website.

Please be careful using the marketplace pages that are linked to the old West Sussex website starting /s4s/ does not have this feature.

See Non-Accessible Content for more details.

Contrast & Font Size

Changing the contrast and font sizes of text can increase legibility for some users.
A user can change the contrast settings.
To increase the font size, click on the icons at the top right of the screen. The user can also use the browser’s own zoom facility. The website will work up to 200%

Translation

A user can use the Google Translate feature at the top right of the screen to translate the text to any of the available languages, including common community languages in West Sussex such as Bengali, Chinese and Somali. Please note that the translation is done automatically by the Google software, not by the council.

The RNIB has a webpage with information on options that computers have which can make it easier for people with low or no vision to use them. - RNB Accessibility Options

Efforts have been made to create accessible alternatives for content that does not meet standards where possible.

Where appropriate we may be able to deliver content to users in accordance with their needs.

Please see “Make a request for Accessible Content” section for further details.

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

Email: WestSussexConnectToSupport@westsussex.gov.uk

We’ll usually get back to you within 7 days to let you know what we can do.

West Sussex CTS will use links to navigate to content on the website. External links will open in a new window.

Where possible the action of an external link will be described by extra description within the link text, so all users can understand the link’s purpose. However, in certain areas of the website adding this extra description will become a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations.

We have provided the following definition for external links: -

External Links will be used for any content that has known limitations with assistive technologies OR navigates a user away from secure platforms. In summary, this means the following items are considered External links –

Non-HTML Documentation
Redirection away from secure platforms
External websites that are not owned by West Sussex

West Sussex 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 2.1 (WCAG) AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Whilst West Sussex strives to adhere to accepted guidelines and standards for accessibility and usability, it is not always possible to do so in all areas of the website.

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

Non-Compliance with the Accessibility Regulations

This sub-section lists issues that fail the current accessibility regulations.

The Shop4Support directories are inaccessible to users using keyboards and our accessibility features. Our website provider is committed to ensuring these sections reach WCAG 2.1 by conformance deadline.

Shop4Support Directories and Forms

The Shop4Support directories are inaccessible to users using keyboards and our accessibility features. Our website provider is committed to ensuring these sections reach WCAG 2.1 by conformance deadline stated.
Label in Name – Voice Recognition devices
Some link text doesn’t make sense when read on its own (for example, ‘click here’).
We plan to fix the existing links by September 2020. When we publish new content, we will make sure link text meets accessibility standards.
Non-HTML documentation - it has come to our attention that several of these documents are inaccessible with a few accessibility technologies. These include the document heading structure, use of tables and insufficient alternate descriptions. We have begun to implement these changes in future documentation [that will be released from date]. Where these documents cannot be improved, we are committed to provide an HTML document alternative.

Content that’s not within the scope of the Accessibility Regulations

This sub-section lists issues that are exempt from the current accessibility regulations. For more information see following section, Exemptions to the Accessibility Regulations.

Issue with Live Video

Live video streams do not have captions. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.2.4 (captions - live).

We do not plan to add captions to live video streams because live video is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

Web Content that is not subject to the standards referenced in this policy statement are as follows: -

Content that is archived.
Content on intranets and extranets published before 23/09/2019
Non-HTML Documentation (PDFs, Microsoft Office files) that were published before 23/09/2018.
Non-HTML Documentation (PDFs, Microsoft Office files) that are not essential to the services West Sussex ConnectToSupport (CTS) provides.
Live Audio and Video
Pre-recorded Audio and Video published before 23/09/2020
Online Maps and mapping services
Third Party Content that is not under direct control of West Sussex or main website provider – Google Translate, Social Media links

We are always looking for ways to improve the West Sussex ConnectToSupport (CTS) website. If you find any problems that aren’t listed within this statement, or believe we are not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations please contact us by

Email: WestSussexConnectToSupport@westsussex.gov.uk or use the Feedback form on the bottom of every page.

Enforcement Procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) responsible for enforcing the accessibility regulations. If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Services (EASS)

This statement was prepared on 09/04/2020.

West Sussex will review this policy every year on or before the 22/09/2020.

This policy was last reviewed on 09/04/2020, by West Sussex Adult Social Care.