Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring the information on our websites is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. We aim for a high level of usability for everyone across all of our websites, following best practice accessibility guidelines where possible.

This statement outlines our ongoing efforts to maintain a website that conforms to the international WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), and complies with relevant legislation in the European Union.

Below is information about our websites, including ways to help increase accessibility for all our users.

Using our website

Our websites are designed to meet accessibility standards as defined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). 

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)

We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

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

Changing the font size on our website

You can change the text size in most browsers by holding the Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) key on your keyboard and using the plus and minus keys.

Navigating using keys

You can navigate around this website using the tab key on your keyboard.

Using ReachDeck

We want this website to be easily navigated and understood by everyone, whatever their device or browser. 

We understand that some people may need some help to get the most out of the site.

ReachDeck lets you customise our website to make it easier to use. It offers a host of features, including reading and translation support, to allow you to access and understand our website better:

  • Text-to-speech: click on or select any text to hear it read aloud
  • Translation: written and spoken translations in multiple languages
  • Text magnification: enlarges text and reads it out loud
  • MP3 generation: converts selected text into an MP3 audio file
  • Screen mask: blocks distractions on screen with a tinted mask
  • Webpage simplifier: removes clutter from the screen, displaying only the main text
  • Settings: customise options to suit individual needs or preferences

How to use

Reachdeck LogoClick on the ReachDeck launchpad logo that appears on the bottom of your screen.

This will launch the ReachDeck toolbar. Then simply click on any text to hear it read out loud or choose your language to translate our website.

All the features are accessed from this easy-to-use, floating toolbar – allowing you to drag and drop it anywhere on screen.

How to translate information on the PHA website using ReachDeck and translations

Feedback and contact information

We value your feedback. If you encounter any accessibility barriers while using our website or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us.

We are committed to addressing any concerns and ensuring a positive user experience for all visitors.

Enforcement procedure

The Equalities Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) 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, please contact  Equalities Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI)

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

We are committed to making this website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/ is fully compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

We are increasing accessibility training and guidance for our web publishers and digital content editors. Any new content added to our site will be reviewed using online accessibly tools to ensure compliance.

We aim to resolve any outstanding accessibility issues by 31/12/2024.

PDFs and other documents

Many of our older PDFs and Word documents do not meet accessibility standards – for example, they may not be structured so they’re accessible to a screen reader. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2 (name, role value).

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.

Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

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