Accessibility statement

This accessibility statement applies to www.belfast2024.co.uk. This website is run by Belfast City Council.
We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, you should be able to:

• change colours, contrast levels and fonts 
• zoom in up to 300 per cent 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 screen readers).

We have also made the website text as simple as possible to understand AbilityNet (link opens in new window) has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

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

• some interactive controls are not large enough
• some text does not have a very high contrast.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different accessible format, for example large print, easy read, audio recording or Braille:

• email equality@belfastcity.gov.uk
• call 028 9027 0511.

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

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We want to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems or think we are not meeting accessibility requirements, email us at webmaster@belfastcity.gov.uk

Tell us what part of the website you are visiting, what you are trying to do and what is preventing you from doing what you need to do. If possible, tell us what device and which browser you are using. We will aim to get back to you within three working days.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) (link opens in new window) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (link opens in new window) (the ‘accessibility regulations’) in Northern Ireland. If you’re not happy with how we respond to your request or complaint, call ECNI on 028 9050 0600 and ask to speak with one of their Discrimination Advice Officers in their Legal Division, or email information@equalityni.org. 

Contacting us

You can contact us by:

• emailing belfast2024@belfastcity.gov.uk
• calling 028 9032 0202

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Belfast City Council is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (link opens in new window). 

Compliance status 

This website is partially compliant with the WCAG 2.2 AA standard due to some non-compliances, meaning there is an accessibility problem with the areas listed. 

Non-accessible content

‘Silktide’ is an automated accessibility testing tool which Belfast City Council uses. An accessibility report on 12 December 2023 from Silktide highlights these issues on some of our website pages:

1. Some of our pages do not contain a top-level heading. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.3.1 (Information and Relationships).
2. Some of our table headings do not have a scope. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.3.1 (Information and Relationships).  
3. Some of our link text is the same for different destinations. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 2.4.4 (Link purpose (in context)).   
4. Some links do not explain that they open in a new tab. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 3.2.5 (Change on Request).            
5. One heading does not include text. This fails WCAG 2.0 success criterion 1.3.1 (Information and Relationships).    
6. Some of our footer links are not large enough to be easily used by people with motor impairments. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.5.5 (Target size).
7. Some text on our pages does not have a high enough contrast with the background colour so that people with significant visual impairments can read it. This fails WCAG 2.0 (link opens in new window) success criterion 1.4.6 (Contrast (enhanced)). 

Disproportionate burden

We are not claiming disproportionate burden for this website.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

We are using automated checks to alert us if something falls below the standard.

Preparation of this accessibility statement 

This statement was prepared on 5 December 2023. We reviewed on 12 December 2023 and updated the statement. We will continue to review our accessibility status and update the statement when needed.