Accessibility

This accessibility statement applies to City of Lincoln Council website at lincoln.gov.uk.

Using documents on Lincoln.gov.uk

We publish documents in different formats, including:

  • PDF
  • Excel
  • Word
  • PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
  • JPG and JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)

We want as many people as possible to be able to use those documents.

When we produce a document, we make sure to:

  • provide an HTML option wherever possible
  • tag headings and other parts of the document properly, so that screen readers can understand the page structure
  • make sure we include alt-text alongside non-decorative images, so that people who cannot see them can understand why they are included in the document
  • avoid using tables where possible, except when we’re presenting complex data
  • write in plain English

We often use third party content or functionality on our website. This allows us to offer a wide range of services that can be completed online. They are each built to look like our website but are based on a different technical platform.

Third party functionality includes:

  • Online forms for customers to fill in
  • Self-serve system to manage your Council tax account
  • Card payment systems
  • Our latest job listings

Where we choose to feature third party content or functionality on our website, we are responsible for ensuring it meets accessibility standards.

If we have paid for content to be created, or have a contractual relationship with the commissioner, we ensure accessibility guidelines are met as part of contractual obligations.

Where we are legally required to feature third party content or functionality, we cannot reasonably accept responsibility for ensuring it meets accessibility standards. However, where it is within our control, we will make every reasonable effort to work towards meeting accessibility requirements.

Third-party platforms we currently use may include:

This website is run by City of Lincoln Council. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website.

If you have a disability, deaf or are hard of hearing

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

If you are deaf or have profound hearing difficulties, you can use Relay UK to access our services.

Site compatibility and screen readers

This website should be compatible with basic operating system screen magnifiers; speech recognition software, and operating system speech packages. It should be compatible with recent versions of the following screen readers:

  • Jaws
  • ZoomText
  • NVDA
  • VoiceOver
  • Window Eyes
  • Supernova screen readers
  • MAGic

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

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible.  However we continually monitor using Silktide and improve the site where we find issues.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information in as different format contact us and tell us:

  • the web address (URL) of the content
  • your name and email address
  • the format you need (for example, audio CD, braille, BSL or large print, accessible PDF)

We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 10 days.

If you cannot view the map on our ‘contact us’ page, call or email us here for directions.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

If you would like to report a problem that is not listed on this page, please contact us.

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).

Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person

If you need to communicate with us in another language, we provide a telephone interpretation service. Customers with a hearing or speech impairment may use the RNID text relay service by dialling 18001 before dialling our number.

In our offices we have audio induction loops and if you need a BSL interpreter this can be arranged if you contact us in advance. Our reception area is accessible by lift from Orchard Street or via a ramp from Beaumont Fee/Park Street. There are accessible toilets. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

City of Lincoln Council is 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 2.1 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

Success Criterion 1.1.1: Non-text content

Combine adjacent links with the same destination

Some adjacent links featured on our website point to the same destination. Many users of assistive technology are only able to experience content sequentially - that is, they must step through each part of the page, one part at a time. Stepping through redundant links is time consuming; for example users of a screen reader must hear each link read aloud in turn.

Success Criterion 1.3.1: Info and relationships

Ensure Headings contain text 

Some content pages on our website have errors where heading markup has been incorrectly placed. Heading elements (<h1>, <h2>. <h3>) must contain some machine-readable text content. A heading should never be empty, or just contain whitespace. 

Success Criterion 2.4.1: Bypass Blocks 

Specify a title for all frames

Some of the embedded Google Maps featured on our website do not specify an iframe title. Without a title, it is impossible to know what the frame contains, and the user must navigate inside it, and explore the contents of the frame to figure this out. Often iframes are used for technologies like banner adverts, videos, or chat widgets. The absence of a title makes these areas of the page much harder to identify, understand, or use.

We continually monitor the site and make improvements where we find accessibility issues.  When we publish new content we’ll make sure we meets accessibility standards.

Disproportionate burden

We have no identified are where there would be a disproportionate burden to change them currently.

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

PDFs and other documents

PDFs and other documents published before 23 September 2018, audio and video content and archived parts of our website. These types of documents are exempt from the regulations, so we don’t currently have any plans to make them accessible.

Documents that you download to access any of our services should be accessible to everyone. However, we know that some PDF's published after 23rd September 2018 are currently not accessible. 

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

PDF Accessibility issues may include:

  • Missing document structure
  • No alternate text for images 
  • Not being written in Plain English
  • Not machine readable

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

We have developed training and guidance materials to help all document authors to create accessible documents.

Our accessible documents statement covers PDFs and other documents uploaded to Lincoln.gov.uk.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 14 June 2023. It was last reviewed on 14 June 2023.

This website was last tested on 16/06/23, by City of Lincoln Council employees.  We continually monitor and audit Lincoln.gov.uk using Silktide to keep it accessible and in line with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.