Accessibility

Whilst the example below is for Parish Councils the same applies to all websites.

1 Alt tags

All sites should have alt tags on images

In the image box where it says 'Alternative Text', type, your organisation name followed by image description i.e

'Name of company page image'

 2 Writing clearly for screen readers

• do not hyperlink a word i.e See Planning write See Planning Click Here
• if it is not obvious that it relates to the Parish Council, be obvious, don't write minutes click here, write name of Parish Council minutes date click here
   
• Similarly all forms should be really clear i.e Name of Parish Council Application form for vacancy of whatever click here pdf

3 Using alt text for links as above the link should be clear and stand alone so as above 

See Planning Click Here - the alt text which appears when the link is moused over or read by a reader should say, this link is for more information and the planning page

To do alt text highlight your text and click link select advanced and advisory title, write what you widsh to say that the link does in here.

• Be careful of abbreviations - including organisations, write in full in brackets if unsure how a reader will say it.

4 Add a site map

5 Uploading Documents

• Ensure that the title of the pdf you upload has a title that can be read by a reader and that title makes sense i.e minutes Nov Year

This well be read out as:-

nameofparishcouncil.org.uk/users/files/minutes Nov Yeardate.pdf

5 Pdf's and Screen readers

I downloaded a screen reader and our PC sites work well, including PDF's. I downloaded nvaccess.org screen reader and on most pdf's it read well, though there was a slight delay. some pdf's I tested did not read at all so I would suggest that all clerks download a screereader and test their recent pdf's.

When creating pdf's please see govenment guidelines. We can't really help with that BUT there is no requirement to fix PDF's from prior to Sept 18.