Accessibility statement for Devon choice-based lettings websites

Introduction

This website is run by Devon Home Choice and we are committed to making the site accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

  • Change text size
  • Zoom in up to 400% without the text spilling off the screen
  • Listen to most of the website using a screen reader (tested using NVDA)

We’re also making the website text as simple as possible to understand.

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

 If you need help accessing this website, we have provided some information below. GOV.UK’s pages on accessibility also provide a good summary of available accessibility resources.

For further information on things like spell checking, word predicting software, keyboard stickers and voice recognition visit the BBC’s My Web My Way pages.

Translating this website

If you would like to view this website in another language we recommend using Google Translate - you can copy and paste the web address for this page into the URL field, then choose a language by selecting the drop down menu at the top-centre of the page.

 You can also use the Google Chrome browser which has built in translation.

How accessible is this website?

There is some content on this website that might not be accessible.

  • Any audio and video published before 23 September 2020
  • Maps may not resize correctly or be accessible by a screen reader - but we provide essential information in an accessible format like an address

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 please contact your local authority

If you’re having problems with the site

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the whole site conforms to the latest standard, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 at level AA, this is an ongoing process. If you need information in a different format or are having problems accessing the website please contact your local authority.

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).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Devon Home Choice 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-compliance with the accessibility regulations

The following are areas of non-compliance:

  • Some links open in new windows. These should be noted in the descriptive text.

The following are exemptions:

  • Third-party plugin for Google Maps. Google Maps may not be fully navigable by keyboard. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.1.1 (Keyboard navigation). Google Maps also have some colour contrast issues which fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3. Home Connections has no control over the accessibility of this tool.
  • Third-party plugin for Google Translate sometimes fails when text is resized. This sometimes fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.4 (Resize text) depending on the language and zoom used. Home Connections has no control over the accessibility of this tool.

Content that’s not within the scope of 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 on how users can access our services, and forms published as Word 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. For example, we do not plan to fix PDFs published on our Media Centre or third party advice PDFs that were not originally published by us. 

Some other non-essential PDFs, created by Devon Home Choice, are not fully accessible.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

We are continually doing improvements to the website and plan to review all content for accessibility before it is added. 

How we test this website

The online forms have been tested with several automated tools, as well as manually for keyboard and screen reader navigation. This website was last tested on 01/12/2022.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 22nd February 2023. It was last reviewed on 18th April 2023.