Accessibility

Using this website

This website is run by Essex Highways. 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)

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:

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website aren’t fully accessible:

Site wide

  • Videos do not have transcripts so users with hearing impairments cannot understand them
  • Some site elements such as for embedded videos are not named

Tell us and Track it tools

  • The interactive map cannot be used without a mouse and contains keyboard traps so users get stuck and are unable to successfully report an issue. We have added an accessible option to continue reporting issues when using a keyboard
  • Some page element names are duplicated, causing screen readers to read out information multiple times
  • The interactive map cannot be used when using a screen reader. We have added an accessible option to continue reporting issues when using a screen reader
  • Some icons shown on the map are too small

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 email Essex Highways Communications Team sic@essexhighways.org.

We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 20 working days.

How we tested this website

We have tested this website using Siteimprove which is an automated testing tool. We have carried out manual checks on a sample of pages including the reporting tool.

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Essex Highways 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.

Issues with technology

Many of our older PDFs and Word documents don’t meet accessibility standards - for example, they may not be marked up so they’re accessible to a screen reader.

Some of our PDFs and Word documents are essential to providing our services. For example, we have PDFs with information on how users can access our services, and forms published as Word documents.

We have created a register of PDFs which are essential for service delivery and are working through these to create HTML pages and forms.

We understand that the regulations don’t require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018, if they’re not essential to providing our services. However, if you need information in an alternative format, email Essex Highways Communications Team sic@essexhighways.org.

Issues with images, video and audio

Live video streams don’t have captions.

Whilst we understand that live video streams are exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations, we realise that this is still an important part of our web content. However, we will be focusing our efforts on increasing the accessibility of other areas first.

Some of our videos don’t contain captions. We are working on adding captions to any historic videos which are on the site. Any new videos that we upload will include captions.

Issues with interactive tools and transactions

The interactive map used to report highways issues isn’t accessible for keyboard and screen reader users as they are unable to select a location successfully. Users with cognitive impairments may also have difficulty using the map.

We have provided alternative ways for these users who cannot use the interactive map to report highways issues.

Other accessibility issues

When accessing the new functionality using the Internet Explorer browser you are presented with an unnecessary pop-up. This is confusing for keyboard only users as there is no context.

When using the use my location feature on the interactive map using the Internet Explorer browser, a pop up from the browser is displayed but it does not receive focus. This creates issues for keyboard only users who must tab through the rest of the page before enabling the feature.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

This statement was prepared on 30th June 2021.

We are working to resolve all identified accessibility issues which are within our control and will release them to the website on an ongoing basis as detailed in the ‘How accessible this website is’ section.

We are working with third-party suppliers to resolve any identified accessibility issues where we do not have direct control over their product.

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 the requirements of the accessibility regulations, email the Essex Highways Communications Team at sic@essexhighways.org.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the accessibility regulations. If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person

We provide a text relay service for people who are D/deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment.

Our offices have audio induction loops, or if you contact us before your visit we can arrange a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.

General enquiries

Telephone: 0345 743 0430
Textphone: 0345 758 5592
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm

Enquiries form: www.essex.gov.uk/enquiries

or, Visit us - if you can’t view the map on our Visit us page, call or use the contact form.