Accessibility
Accessibility statement for Avenues Group
This accessibility statement applies to:
- The Avenues Group website: https://www.avenuesgroup.org.uk/
This website is run by Avenues Group. 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
- zoom in up to 200% magnification
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
- listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver and TalkBack)
It should conform to WCAG2.1 AA standard.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
Reachdeck (Browsealoud)
We’ve added Reachdeck (previously known as Browsealoud) digital inclusion software to our website.
Reachdeck helps people navigate around our site, understand our content and interact with our website independently.
- 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 simplifer: removes clutter from the screen, displaying only the main text
- settings: customize options to suit individual needs or preferences
Click on the orange button in the header in the left hand corner of this website’s pages. This will launch the Browsealoud toolbar that docks to the top of the screen. Now click on the first ‘pointed finger’ icon on that toolbar and then hover your mouse pointer over any text to hear it read out loud.
This website’s 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 compliances (parts of this website that we are aware are not fully accessible):
- keyboard focus is not always visible across the website
- there is no mechanism to skip repeated blocks of navigation
- there is poor colour contrast on many of the pages
- some images are missing appropriate ‘alt’ tags
- older videos are missing audio description
- some PDFs are difficult to use with a screen reader
Exemptions (content outside the scope of the accessibility regulations):
- PDFs and other documents – 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 should meet accessibility standards.
- Pre-recorded video and audio – the accessibility regulations do not apply to videos and audio published before 23 September 2020. Any new videos or audio added to the site will meet accessibility standards.
What we are doing to improve accessibility and meet AA standard
While our resources have limited our capacity to reach full compliance, we do not believe this amounts to a disproportionate burden and are working through these issues and remedying them. We are aiming for full compliance with the standard by 1 January 2023.
Using third party content or functionality on our website
We may use third party content or functionality on our website. This allows us to offer a wide range of services that can be completed by you online at any time. They may be ‘skinned’ to look like our website but are based on a different technical platform. This includes our job vacancy site which is run by Earcu and embedded within the main website in the Jobs and careers section.
Where we choose to feature third party content or functionality on our website, we are responsible for ensuring it meets accessibility standards.
We are currently working with Earcu to ensure that its platform is compliant.
Where we are legally required to feature third party content or functionality, we cannot reasonably accept responsibility for ensuring it meets accessibility standards. However, where it is within our control, we will make every reasonable effort to work towards meeting accessibility requirements.
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:
- Phone 0300 323 0405
- Email info@avenuesgroup.org.uk
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
This statement was updated on 29/04/2021