Accessibility statement
This accessibility statement applies to the website, https://www.towerhamletsconnect.org/
This website is run by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets . 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 using browser or device settings;
- Zoom in up to 400% without the text spilling off the screen;
- Navigate most of the website using a keyboard or speech recognition software;
- Listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)
We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.
This website is designed to be compliant with the international standard Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 (WCAG) – Level AA.
How accessible is this website?
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:
• This website uses JavaScript to deliver certain features. Please make sure you have JavaScript turned on within your browser to deliver full features;
• Links aren’t always underlined. Some links do not meet the minimum target size with.
• Carousel doesn’t have appropriate landmark or pause feature
• Not all Landmarks are appropriately labelled;
• Forms module doesn’t work with High Contrast Styles
• Search Directory has a several accessibility issues
How to use this website?
Accessible Features
This website uses a widget that contains several Accessible features that can be used by users with specific requirements. The widget is available on the top right-hand side of the header menu.
These features include: -
Contrast & Font Size
Changing the contrast and font sizes of text can increase legibility for some users.
This website has three colour contrast settings, firstly, the “default colour scheme” which provides a suitable level of contrast for most users and satisfies the accessibility standards. However, if a user feels the colour contrast is too low in areas the website also contains a “high contrast scheme” which satisfies all accessibility standards for colour contrast.
A user can change the contrast settings by clicking on the icons at the top right of screen. For a user using voice recognition please say, “Switch to default colour scheme” and “Switch to high contrast scheme” respectively for the same result.
To increase the font size, click on the icons at the top right of the screen. For a user using voice recognition please say, “Switch to normal font size”, “Switch to big font size” and “Switch to biggest font size” respectively for the same result. The user can also use the browser’s own zoom facility. The website will work up to 200%
Further information on accessibility options
The RNIB has a webpage with information on options that computers have which can make it easier for people with low or no vision to use them. - RNB Accessibility Options
Accessible Alternatives
Efforts have been made to create accessible alternatives for content that does not meet standards where possible.
Where appropriate we may be able to deliver content to users in accordance with their needs.
Please see Feedback and contact information section for further details.
Purpose of Links
The website will use links to navigate to content on the website. External links will open in a new window.
Where possible the action of an external link will be described by extra description within the link text, so all users can understand the link’s purpose. However, in certain areas of the website adding this extra description will become a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations.
We have provided the following definition for external links: -
External Links will be used for any content that has known limitations with assistive technologies OR navigates a user away from secure platforms. In summary, this means the following items are considered external links –
- Non-HTML Documentation (See “Issues with PDFs and other documents”)
- Redirection away from secure platforms
- External websites that are not part of council website.
Feedback and contact information
If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, or if you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:
- Telephone: 020 7364 5000
- Email: THConnect@towerhamlets.gov.uk
We will consider your request and get back to you in 30 days.
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
Tower Hamlets are 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 2.2 AA standard, due to ‘the non-compliances and exemptions’ listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
This sub-section lists issues that fail the current accessibility regulations.
-
This sub-section lists issues that fail the current accessibility regulations.
- Links aren’t always underlined. Some links do not meet the minimum target size with.
- Carousel doesn’t have appropriate landmark or pause feature
- Not all Landmarks are appropriately labelled
- Forms module doesn’t work with High Contrast Styles
- Search Directory has a several accessibility issues
- Alt text items on linked images aren’t appropriate;
Search Directory issues
It has come to our attention that there are accessibility issues with our Search Directory
• Aria Attributes are used incorrectly in Search Directory
• Extra bypass block and Pagination landmark
• Filter facets not a landmark
• Progressive disclosure don't say expanded or collapsed
High Contrast issues
It has come to our attention that some of our content isn’t displayed correctly with our high-contrast design. This occurs in the forms module of the website. This means it will be difficult for visually impaired users who may require this design to see all content. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.4.6 Contrast (Advanced) a Level AAA requirement.
All pages work conform to Colour Contrast at default contrast style.
Keyboard navigation issues
It has come to our attention that it is difficult to bypass repeated content on certain pages. This appears to occur on pages which contain duplicate top level landmarks.
The facet control cannot be skipped while viewing the Search Directory and S4S content pages
There are also known keyboard focus issues within these pages. These pages fail WCAG 2.2 success criteria 2.4.7 Focus Visible and 2.4.1 Bypass blocks.
Keyboard focus will be set to use a web-browser’s default focus indicator.
Keyboard focus issues
It has come to our attention that it is difficult to bypass repeated content on certain pages. There are also known keyboard focus issues within our noticeboard panels in the header. These pages fail WCAG 2.2 success criteria 2.4.7 Focus Visible.
Screen-Reader reading issues with Landmark regions
It has come to our attention that some of our accessibility features are not correctly contained within landmarks. This means it will be difficult for screen-reader users to find all content using landmarks. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.3.1 and 4.1.1.
Navigating the website can still be achieved by using heading levels and link text.
Disproportionate burden
There are no issues that are considered a disproportionate burden in accordance to the regulations.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
The new version of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, WCAG 2.2 were published on 5th October 2023.
This will replace WCAG 2.1 as the legally required accessibility standard in October 2024.
Our website provider has discovered issues with the WCAG 2.2 standard
While testing this website, issues with the new accessibility regulations have been discovered. We are working with our website provider to ensure we meet this deadline by June 2025.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on the 20/07/2021 . It will be reviewed every year in accordance with the regulations. It was last reviewed on that 19th March 2025.
This website was last tested on 19th March 2025.
To prepare this statement an accessibility test was carried out by People Places Lives QA Team. The most viewed pages were tested using automated testing tools by our website team. A further audit of the website was carried out to the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.