Accessibility
Advice page content
Accessibility Statement for Hackney's Local Offer
This accessibility statement applies to the Hackney Local Offer website (www.hackneylocaloffer.co.uk).
This website is run by the Hackney Local Offer coordinator and the Hackney Family Information Service with advisory support from the Hackney Education web team. The website is hosted by Idox/Open Objects.
This website has functions that make the content more accessible.
You can find out how to adjust your settings for accessibility from the drop-down accessibility menu in the website header available on every page.
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 and contrast levels
- Zoom in up to 400% without 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)
- Skip to the main content when using a keyboard to navigate
- Use Google Translate to translate information into other languages
We’ve also, where possible, made the website text as simple as possible to understand.
Information about education, health, and social care services and processes across the age range 0-25 (children and adults) is a complex and shifting picture. We are committed to making further improvements to the way information and services are explained.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
How accessible is this website?
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible. For example:
- older PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software
- many documents (including PDF, Word, and Google Docs) do not meet accessibility standards
- some headings are not using the appropriate h tag styling
- some images may not have the correct alt text setting
- occasionally tables have been used as a layout feature rather than to present data
- some pages have missing form labels
The website was co-produced and developed with parents, carers, and young people helping to decide on the look and feel. Our drive for greater web accessibility means some aspects of the site have changed but we have continued to work with stakeholders (including parents, carers, and young people with additional needs) so we don’t lose the feel we co-created.
Feedback and contact information
This website has 2 channels which each focus on different sets of information.
If you need any information on this website in a different format please contact the relevant service.
SEND Local Offer
The SEND Local Offer Channel focuses on SEND-related service and process information for those aged 0-25 who live in Hackney including a service directory, help and advice articles, opportunities and events, and related documents.
Hackney Family Information Service
The Family Information Service Channel focuses on childcare-related information and opportunities for parents and carers of children under 18 and up to 25 if they have SEND.
- Family Information Service phone number 020 8820 7590
- FIS@hackney.gov.uk
We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We are 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, contact: localoffer@hackney.gov.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).
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
Hackney Local Offer 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 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 reasons stated.
We have undertaken a comprehensive refresh of the website including a move to a more accessible version on the website platform.
We undertake regular testing of individual pages and content and will update our practice or work with the provider if we are unable to solve the issue.
Some pages have missing form labels but these are generated by the Google recaptcha content and neither the website teams nor the provider can address this issue currently.
Disproportionate burden
N/A
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations.
Use of 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.
Various document types are used on this website, including PDFs, Word documents, and Google Docs that are not currently accessible:
Links to older PDF documents aren't fully accessible to screen reader software and may not have good text-to-colour contracts.
We review documents sent to us for inclusion on the website and, where possible, the information within these will be uploaded as web content. If documents are required, we will work with those who provide them to ensure these are as accessible as possible, including using appropriate heading stylings and meeting colour contrast requirements.
We are in the process of developing training to help support services and partners whose information is listed to provide their information in ways that are compliant with the standards as well as helpful to people using the site to source information.
Ongoing work.
The language used to describe services and advice
We have tried to use plain English when describing services and information. However, at times the website describes complicated processes and includes phrases that may not be easily understood by our website users, particularly those new to SEND (special educational needs and disability) processes.
We are in the process of simplifying the language used, linking to further information where relevant, and explaining clearly the use of phrases used by service providers.
Our website uses Google Translate to offer information in other languages. We have additionally asked services to describe how they support people with English as an additional language when we list their services.
A review of the entries in the service directory and the help and advice articles has been undertaken and we have rewritten and reformatted many of these over the last 2 years to make them easier to read, understand, and navigate.
This work is ongoing.
New information added to the website will only be accepted if it is written accessibilly.
We are in the process of developing training to support partners whose information we host to understand and comply with the digital accessibility standards.
Please get in touch if there are any documents that you are not able to access and we will provide the information in a different format.
Heading styling
Some headings have not been styled using the appropriate h tag, and at times the heading numbering is not sequential. Content is being consistently reviewed to ensure headings are appropriately and consistently styled.
Checking that these are accurately applied is part of our ongoing work throughout 2024. These criteria are also checked when information is updated or reviewed and when new information is added to the website.
WCAG 2.1 Success criteria: 1.3.1 Info and relationships (A)
Meaningful link text
On some pages, hyperlinks do not explain where the user will be taken and use phrases such as ‘click here’ and ‘more information’. Link text will be updated so that they are more meaningful for users.
Partially complete an ongoing throughout 2024 to be complete by the end of the year.
Links to documents
Some links within page content do not inform the user that they will open or download a document, such as a PDF. Text will be updated so that it is clear that a document will open when using the link.
Partially complete and ongoing throughout 2024.
WCAG 2.1 success criteria: 2.4.4 Link purpose (in context) (A)
Alternative or Alt tags for decorative images
Some images have an alt attribute when they have been used for decorative purposes only. These images will be updated so that the alt text is empty.
Some images do not have alt attribute when they are used.
These images will be updated so that appropriate alt text is included.
Partially complete and ongoing throughout 2024
WCAG 2.1 success criteria: 1.1.1 Non-text content (A)
Content that is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
PDFs and other documents
The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs and other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they are not essential in providing our services.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 23 September 2020.
It was last reviewed on 1 November 2022.
It was updated on:
- 22nd December 2020
- 28th June 2021
- 6 January 2022
- 1 November 2022
- 9 January 2024
The statement will be reviewed regularly to ensure it reflects any updates to the site’s compliance with web accessibility standards.
What we are doing to improve accessibility?
The Hackney Education web team and Hackney's Local Offer coordinator have undertaken an accessibility audit of this website to identify and fix any issues.
We have selected a sample of pages on which to carry out our testing that reflect the full range of content and functionality across the site.
We have been working through identified issues in 2023 including work with the developer to move to a new platform that is more compliant and accessible.
We have and are continuing to take action where possible as detailed against the relevant heading above. This work will be ongoing throughout 2024.
During the work undertaken in 2023 the following improvements were made and issues were fixed.
Site navigation
There were several ways that users could access information including using the search bar and applying various filters. Although this was intended to make it easier for users to find and access the information they need, user testing has highlighted that the number of filters can lead to confusion.
We worked with stakeholders and the provider to simplify the navigation of the site during 2023 adding a discreet channel for the Family Information Service and simplifying and improving the navigation functions.
We added an editable Key Information section on the homepage of the website so that at different times of the year people using the website can be directed to time-sensitive information e.g. about the school admissions process and preference forms for those with EHC Plans who follow a specific statutory process.
Highlighting of page elements
Issues with highlighting page elements were addressed with the provider during the website refresh and move to a more accessible version of the platform.
Heading styling
In the service directory and help and advice sections of the website, h tags have been changed by the provider to ensure headings are appropriately and consistently styled.
We continue to check and review this when reviewing existing information or adding new information.
Colour contrasts
Some colours used on this site did not meet colour contrast ratio standards. This can make it difficult for users with visual impairments to interact with the website. All non-compliant colours will be replaced with colours that meet AA standards.
We have worked with the website provider to update the website and make it more accessible. During this work in 2023 all colours were changed to meet the color ratio standard.
Link stying
Hyperlink styling was reviewed and updated during the website accessibility work with the provider throughout 2023 and should now be fully compliant