Accessibility Statement

There are a number of customisation options for your browser and device that could help you use this website and other websites more effectively.

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

Please contact us if you have an accessibility query including:

• If you are experiencing issues with accessing information or using the website

• If you find an accessibility problem not listed on this statement

• If you have positive feedback on the accessibility considerations made.

When you contact us there is a process in place that will acknowledge your contact, tell you who is dealing with it and give you a timescale by which you can expect a reply.

If you need information in an alternative format, such as braille or a language other than English:

• Email: alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk

• Call: 03000 421 553.

An English-speaker will take details of what you need and arrange a translation or interpreting service for you. You may need an English-speaking friend or a family member to help you with this.

We may not be able to meet your requirements immediately, but we will try to provide an interpreter (or translation service) to help you as quickly as possible.

Once you have reported a problem with our website or asked for an alternative format, but you are not happy with our response, you can use our complaints process to register your difficulty. This helps us improve our systems.

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).

Kent County Council is 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.

We formally test the accessibility of key user journeys that represent the breadth of content across our website on a regular basis against WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

If you find something that does not work that we missed, remember to contact us.

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reason(s):

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

This section covers issues that we need to fix and are working to do so.

Images, Video and Media

Images do not have alt text when following the links in the drop down pages do not have alt text. (WCAG 1.1.1)

On trader's page the Find us on Facebook link does not provide sufficient link purpose for those who cannot see the element. (WCAG 1.1.1 and 1.3.3

Training videos do not have captions or transcript. This could create a challenge when communicating information between the video and the user watching. (WCAG 1.2.3)

Videos do not have captions or transcripts. (WCAG 1.2.2)

Keyboard access

Drop Downs cannot be accessed without a mouse.. (WCAG 2.1.1)

Website Design

Skip to content 'bypass blocks' are not implemented throughout the website. WCAG 2.4.1)

Pink text elements must meet minimum color contrast ratio thresholds of 4.5:1, instead they have a 3.91:1 ratio. (WCAG 1.4.3)

Links are not distinguishable from normal text without relying on colour. (WCAG 1.4.1 and 2.4.4)

2 Logos at the bottom of trade accreditations have a cross and tick over them, they do not have other means of informing user which one is the correct logo. (WCAG 1.3.3)

Text on renew button in the trader's page does not meet contrast requirements. (WCAG 1.4.3)

Menu and exit buttons do not have associated name that can be understood by assistive technology. (WCAG 1.3.3 and 3.3.2

When magnified to 400%, the navigation menu items cannot be opened using a keyboard (WCAG 1.4.10

Favourite button does not have associated text for assistive technology to understand, also relies solely on sensory characteristics for user input. (WCAG 1.3.3 and 3.3.2

Call, mail and website buttons do not have associated text for assistive technology to understand, also relies solely on sensory characteristics for user input. (WCAG 1.3.3 and 3.3.2

Disproportionate burden

Not applicable.

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

This section covers issues that we do not need to fix right now.

Videos

The accessibility regulations do not apply to video content published before 23rd September 2020.

All video content published from 23rd September 2020 will meet accessibility requirements and we are working to make older video content accessible where possible.

Third-Party Content

Our website contains third-party content. We do not have control over and are not responsible for the accessibility of this content, but we make best endeavours to work with the 3rd party to improve its accessibility. This may include:

• Links to non-KCC websites

• Content/functionality on our website

• Content hosted on other websites, such as social media sites.

This statement was prepared on 20th October 2023. It was last reviewed on 20th October 2023.

This website was last tested on 20th October 2023. The test was carried out by Kent County Council.