Accessibility standards
The Disability Discrimination Act, government targets and good sense all say that we should make sure that our website can be accessed by everyone.
The standard that we aim for is the AA standard set by the Web Accessibility Initiative (W3C) (external link). This makes sure that people using 'assistive technology' (such as screen readers) can read our site. It also means that the site is more user-friendly for everyone. We use the Bobby software from Watchfire, and regular manual testing.
You may notice that:
- Links to other web pages do not open in a new window - this can be confusing for screen reader users.
- All images contain alternate text. This is kept to a minimum for decorative images.
- Link text is meaningful - if you scan your eye over a page, it's easy to see where the underlined links will take you.
- Background / foreground contrast is good.
- The site uses Cascading Style Sheets for formatting and text can easily be resized.
- Bullet points are used where possible, making pages easier to read for everyone, not just screen reader users.
Certain pages, such as our interactive mapping, will not yet meet the standard. However, we carry out regular testing and aim to make sure that as many of our pages meet the standard as possible. In addition, we have chosen to speech-enable our site using Browsealoud. This is particularly useful for people with dyslexia.
If you would like any of our information in an alternative format, including that shown on the GIS mapping system, Please contact us on 01283 595795 or customer.services@south-derbys.gov.uk
If you are disabled and have comments about the accessibility of our site, then please contact us. We value your feedback.
Access keys
Most browsers support 'access key' functionality. This provides easy access to key parts of the website. While browsing the site you will be able to use the keys below as shortcuts to important pages.
- 1 - Home page
- 2 - What's new
- 3 - Site map (available shortly)
- 4 - Search
- 5 - A-Z and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 6 - Help
- 7 - Complaints procedure
- 8 - Terms and conditions
- 9 - Feedback form
- 0 - Access key details (this page)
How you use the keys above depends on your system and browser:
Windows Operating System
- Internet Explorer: Alt [key number] Enter
- Mozilla, Netscape, K-Meleon: Alt [key number]
- Opera: Shift + Esc [key number]
Macintosh Operating System (Mac OS X)
- Safari and Omniweb: Ctrl [key number]
- Mozilla Firefox, Netscape: Ctrl [key number]
- Opera: Shift + Esc [key number]
- Internet Explorer: Ctrl [key number] Enter
Linux Mandrake Operating System
- Galeon/Mozilla: Alt [key number]
Information in another format or language
If you would like information in another language, or if you require the services of an interpreter, please contact us. If you ask us, we can provide the information you need in large print, braille or audio format.
tel: (01283) 595795
e-mail: customer.services@south-derbys.gov.uk
Hard of hearing
For visitors to Civic Offices, Civic Way, Swadlincote, we have an induction-loop system in all reception areas, interview booths, committee room and Council chamber. If you have a hearing aid with a 'T' setting, you simply need to switch to 'T' while in these areas. For more information about hearing loop systems, please see the RNID website
A sign language interpreter is usually available if you ask.
Alternatively, use the following numbers:
SMS Text: 07870 680131
Minicom: 01283 595849
Searching this website
Using the search utility - type a word or phrase into the search box at the top right hand corner of the page. Please remember that the more words you use in the phrase, then the less your chance of the search finding the documents your are looking for. If the search fails to locate the pages you want then try using different words
For example, if a search for "trash" doesn't bring results, a search for "rubbish" might.
Further help with using the search is within the search pages.
Using the A-Z - The A-Z offers another way of finding pages. There is a search facility in the A-Z but this is different from the website search and can produce different results. Using the A-Z to find a subject category according to the first letter can help:
eg: Click on the button 'A' to show all services under the letter A - such as Abandoned Vehicles.
The A-Z also allows you to quickly find which services are provided by South Derbyshire District Council and by Derbyshire Council.
On-line Services - On the right hand side of our home page is a column with the links Report It, Apply For It, Pay For It, Request It, Find Out, Have Your Say.
Navigating the Subject List - Pages are organised according to the Local Government Category List which provides the categorisation under which these pages can be found eg: Planning Services can be found under Environment. To move through the list click on the subject heading where you page lists - further sub-categories may exist beneath this. To return quickly to the homepage, you may click on the home link at above the subject list or click the 'Up one level' text to move back up the subject list a level at a time.
Browsealoud
If you have problems reading the text of our pages, then you can use the Browsealoud facility. It's free and easy to use. It can read the whole page out to you, or parts that you hover over with your mouse.
Browsealoud is now available for Windows and Macintosh OSX and is designed for use with Internet Explorer 5.5, Netscape Navigator 7, and Mozilla 1.7.3 upwards. If you do not already have the plugin, then please use the link below to get it for free.
Altering the font size manually
If the text size is too small for you to read, you have several options:
Switch to Text Version only - You can switch the site to 'Text Version' located in the top left corner of the page - this removes all pictures and graphics, allowing you to read the text more clearly.
Using the mouse to alter screen size - If you have a wheel button mouse (a rotating button between the left and right buttons) you can re-size the screen larger or smaller by pressing and holding down the Ctrl button and rotating the wheel button at the same time.
Changing your browser options - Usually this is done through the 'view' menu on your browser:
If you are using Internet Explorer:
Go to the view menu
Down to Text size and then choose larger or largest
If you are using Netscape navigator:
Go to the view menu
Down to Text size and then choose 120%, 150% or 200%
If you are using Mozilla or FireFox:
Go to the view menu.
Choose Increase text size (You may have to do this a few times to find a size suitable for you)
Viewing Documents
Adobe Acrobat for PDF files
Some information is not presented as a normal web page. Instead, you may have to download (copy onto your computer) the whole file and print or read it using different software.
Documents are almost all in Adobe PDF format, which you can read using the Adobe Acrobat reader software. This software is provided free by Adobe Systems Inc. Download Acrobat Reader from Adobe (external link)
The Access Adobe (external link) website provides tools and resources that improve the accessibility of PDF documents.
Useful External Links
BBC - My Web My Way (external link) - This site, a partnership between the BBC and AbilityNet, explains the many ways you can change your browser, computer, keyboard and mouse settings to make the web more accessible.
page ref: SDDC 6
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