This page was last updated 25 May 2022

This accessibility statement applies to www.northumbria.nhs.uk

This website is run by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website.

For example, that means you should be able to:

•    change colours, contrast levels and fonts
•    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
•    access the website using a mobile or tablet

We’ve also tried to make the website text as easy as possible to understand.

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

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:

•    Some PDF and Word documents are not fully accessible
•    Some of our videos do not include transcripts / subtitles

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different format like an accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please email contactus@northumbria.nhs.uk

We will consider your request and get back to you within 10 working days.

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, email contactus@northumbria.nhs.uk

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 are not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 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 listed below.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Some of our PDF, images and Microsoft Word documents do not meet the required accessibility standards. If you require a PDF or a Word document in an accessible format such as large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please email contactus@northumbria.nhs.uk.

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

  • PDF and Word documents

Some of our PDFs and Microsoft Word documents are essential to providing our services. For example, we have PDFs with information on how users can access our services, and forms published as Microsoft Word documents.

By December 2022 we plan to either fix these or replace them with accessible HTML pages.

The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services.

Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

What we’re doing to improve our accessibility

We are aware that there are still some changes that need to be made to the website and we will look to do these over the coming months.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 25 May 2022.

We use an innovative cloud-based software called Recite Me that lets visitors to our website view and use it in the way that works best for them.

We have added the Recite Me web accessibility and language toolbar to our website to make it accessible and inclusive for as many people as possible.

It helps the one in five people in the UK who have a disability, including those with common conditions like sight loss and dyslexia, to access this website in the way that suits them best. 

It also meets the needs of the one in ten people in the UK who don’t speak English as their first language, by being able to translate our web content into over 100 different languages.

How do I access the Recite Me toolbar?

You can open the Recite Me language and accessibility toolbar by clicking on the 'Show accessibility tools' toolbar at the bottom of the site and click 'Accessibility'.

The Recite Me toolbar now appears at the top of every page of our website and displays a range of different options for customising how the website looks and how you can access the content. 

How does Recite Me help me access this website?

Recite Me helps people to access our website to do the things they need to do, like find information about how to access our service by making complaints, access publications and read news. 

The Recite Me toolbar has a unique range of functions. You can use it to: 

  • Have the text on our website read aloud 
  • Download the text as an MP3 file to play it where and when it suits you
  • Change font sizes and colours
  • Customise background colour
  • Translate text into more than 100 different languages
  • Access a fully integrated dictionary and thesaurus

You can find out more about how Recite Me works from the Recite Me user guide.

Can I get support with Recite Me?

If you have any questions about Recite Me you can contact us by email at contactus@northumbria.nhs.uk