What is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility is the practice of making website content available to all users, particularly those with disabilities. It includes making a website as accessible as possible regardless of browsing technology, such as for people with text-only browsers and old browser versions. Compliance with web accessibility is an on-going process which we are regularly working to improve.
Accessibility Statement
This accessibility statement applies to Kent Downs National Landscape website, run by Kent County Council.
The content on this website is designed for everyone to find, read, and understand. It is compatible with assistive technologies and developed to meet the accessibility standards outlined in this statement.
View the site your way
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.
Feedback and contact information
Please contact us at mail@kentdowns.org.uk 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.
Alternative formats
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.
Complaints process
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).
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
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.
Non-accessible content
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, please contact us at mail@kentdowns.org.uk
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
Some images on the website do not have a text alternative, so people using a screen reader cannot access the information. (WCAG: 1.1.1).
We are working to fix this issue by September 2023.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
This section covers issues that we do not need to fix right now.
Documents and PDFs
The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23rd September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services. We are working through these documents to make them accessible.
We will be ensuring that any newly published content is accessible and are working to either fix accessibility issues with existing documents that have been published since 23rd September 2018 or provide an accessible alternative.
Online Maps
The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix online maps provided there is an accessible alternative.
Our website uses online maps and where there is a map, the information being displayed is provided in an alternative format on the same web page.
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.
Some of our 3rd party partners publish their own accessibility statements:
- Facebook – Facebook Accessibility Statement
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 20 April 2023. It was last reviewed on 18 May 2023.
This website was last tested in February 2023. The test was carried out by Kent County Council.