This website is run by TMP (UK) Ltd. 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 300% without the 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)
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
How accessible this website is
We know some parts of this website aren’t fully accessible:
- Some headlines intentionally overlap background images. This has been done with legibility in mind and is not expected to cause users issues reading the headlines.
- Gallery pages on mobile devices using a screen reader may be awkward for users of screen readers.
- Some video player controls may be difficult for some users to navigate.
What to do if you can’t access parts of this website
If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please email us at resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 20 working days.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that aren’t listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact resourcing.team@essex.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
TMP (UK) Ltd. 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 listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
WCAG 1.1.1 Non-text Content
The gallery component allows a bank of images to be showcased. We aim to add descriptive alt text to these in all cases. This can however make it awkward for users of screen readers to orient themselves on the page.
WCAG 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
Large headline text intentionally overlaps images on several pages as part of the site’s design. Care has been taken to ensure that contrast and legibility are of an acceptable standard. At some screen sizes portions of text may overlap a lower-contrast area of the background image. The large size of the text is expected to compensate for this, and legibility is not expected to be significantly compromised.
WCAG 1.4.5 Images of Text
Some call-to-action boxes have an image of a person with their name over the top of them. This text is in the image. Alt text is intentionally omitted as these images are used as decoration and do not contain content that is relevant to the context of the call-to-action. This does not strictly meet the guideline but does make for a better browsing experience for users of assistive technology.
Disproportionate burden
We believe that addressing the following issues now would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations. We will make another assessment at the time of the next accessibility review, likely to be Summer 2021.
WCAG 3.2 Predictable
Videos from various sources are embedded on this site. The way they present themselves visually and to assistive technology differs between them. Tabbing to a video may announce different kinds of content in a different way depending upon the source of the embedded platform.
Since these are outside of our control and would involve significant cost to re-host in a consistent way, we consider this a disproportionate burden. The platforms we use are all navigable and usable with assistive technology, it’s just the consistency of their presentation that we cannot control.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
PDFs and other documents
Although some of Essex County Council’s older PDFs are inaccessible and do not meet accessibility standards, we are working towards making as many PDF’s meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards as possible.
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.
We are prioritising making PDFs accessible that:
- contain information on how users can access our service
- are most frequently downloaded
- contain information that has a statutory requirement
We have developed training and guidance to help all document creators develop accessible documents.
Our plan is to ensure that all essential PDFs meet accessibility regulations by 1st June 2021.
How we tested this website
This website was last tested on 30 November 2020. The test was carried out by TMP (UK) Ltd.
All pages of the site were tested, with the exception of the job detail pages, where a representative sample was tested.
We tested on these platforms and technologies:
- Windows 10, Edge and keyboard-only navigation
- Windows 10, Firefox and NVDA
- macOS, Safari and keyboard-only navigation
- macOS, Safari and VoiceOver
- iOS, Safari and VoiceOver
- Android phone, Chrome and Talkback
This statement was prepared on 30 November 2020. It was last updated on 30 November 2020.