Accessibility statement
This accessibility statement applies to www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk. Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council runs this website.
We are committed to making the website accessible. This is under the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
We want as many people as possible to be able to use our websites. This means you should be able to:
- zoom in up to 400% without the text spilling off the screen
- navigate most of the website just using a keyboard
- navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
- use most of the website using a screen reader. This includes the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver
Preparation of this accessibility statement
We originally prepared this statement on 27 October 2021.
It was last reviewed on 13 October 2026.
Our website was last tested in October 2026. The Government Digital Service tested it against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.
We also use findings from our own testing when preparing this accessibility statement.
Keeping our website accessible
We continuously scan our website for accessibility issues. We fix issues when we are able.
We use a service called SiteMorse. It scans our website for any accessibility issues.
Our regular testing includes:
- sub-sites. These are services based on a different platform but ‘skinned’ to look like our website:
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
Our websites are partially compliant with WCAG 2.2 AA due to the non-compliances and/or exemptions listed below.
- Some of our historic PDF files are not accessible. The regulations do not need us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018. Please complete a website feedback form if you cannot access a PDF on our website. We will do what we can to provide you with an accessible version.
- We work to limit the publication of PDF documents where possible. If we can, we publish all website content as web pages. This excludes documents in the Modern.Gov system.
- Some third parties own documents hosted on our website. Some do not meet accessibility standards. The accessibility regulations do not need us to fix content owned by third parties.
- Our sub-domain sites for planning applications and council meetings have some accessibility issues. We are working with the suppliers of each of these systems to make these accessible. However, this depends on their product roadmaps.
- Some embedded maps have been flagged as images that lack a text alternative. People using a screen reader cannot access the information. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.1.1 (non-text content). Unfortunately, while we have investigated possible fixes, we have no control over this.
Your feedback
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability. We also follow AbilityNet's guidance.
If you are unhappy with the accessibility of our websites, please complete a website feedback form. Then we can work to put it right and we will do all we can to make improvements.
If you’re unhappy with how we respond to your complaint, please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS). The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing the regulations. We will work with them to put fixes in place.