Accessibility

This accessibility statement applies to the Bedford Creative Arts website, located at www.bedfordcreativearts.org.uk

This website is run by Bedford Creative Arts.  We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website.  For example, that means you should be able to:

  • 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)

This accessibility statement outlines the work we have undertaken, rebuilding our website to make it as usable and accessible as possible – in addition to documenting areas we still need to improve.

Naturally we want to provide the best possible browsing experience for everyone, across all types of devices and assistive technologies.  There is some useful information from the organisation AbilityNet on making your devices easier to use which may be of interest.

Where we’ve made improvements

We know parts of our previous website were not accessible, which is why we have built our new website with accessibility, usability and inclusive design at the forefront, to aim to conform to the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA underpins these regulations, and compliance ensures websites are Perceivable, Operable, Understandable and Robust (POUR).

On our new website

  • Images have a text alternative where appropriate, so everyone can access these descriptions.
  • The keyboard tabbing experience has been improved throughout the website, in areas such as navigation and other components.
  • There are now distinguishable navigation landmarks (sections) that benefit those using assistive devices.
  • Page zoom is no longer restricted.
  • Headings are now structured.
  • Links now have a text alternative.
  • The page language is now identified.
  • Breadcrumbs (which help signpost where users are on the website) are now present on all appropriate pages.
  • Our forms are now much easier to navigate using just a keyboard and the descriptions/labeling for some input fields has been improved.

How accessible this website is

There are a few areas within the website that are not fully accessible.

  • some third-party embedded functionality does not state title, name and legend attributes – useful for assistive devices.
  • there are some duplicate IDs, and hidden content that is focusable.
  • some areas of the site could have their colour contrast increased to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
  • some PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen readers.
  • live video streams do not have captions.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website please email info@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk or call 01234 818670

We’ll consider your request and get back to you in five working days.

Please note that arranging for alternative formats may take longer and be subject to a cost.  However, we will respond to you within the above time frame to discuss your requirements.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website.  If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please email info@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk or call 01234 818670.

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

Bedford Creative Arts 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.

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

PDFs and other documents

Some historic documents are not accessible in a number of ways including missing text alternatives and missing document structure. If you have an issue relating to the accessibility of a document, please email info@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk or call 01234 818670.

Live video

We do not plan to add captions to all live video streams because live video is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations. 

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

Accessibility and inclusivity are of paramount importance to Bedford Creative Arts. We continually evaluate our website – working closely with our external web development agency – to make sure it conforms to accessibility standards.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared in January 2023. 

This website was last tested in January 2023.  The test was carried out using the Siteimprove Accessibility Checker which scans the website and flags up criteria related to WCAG compliance issues.  Issues are then analysed so that content and development fixes and improvements are scheduled as appropriate.