Accessibility

We have tried to make our site as accessible as possible for all visitors. We have carried out user, browser and operating system testing, including accessibility testing with users that have disabilities.

Accessibility standards

Our goal for the website is that all pages should meet the AA standards of the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.

A small number of pages, such as those with maps provided by Google, do rely on JavaScript and will not be accessible to users of some assistive technologies or users who have turned off JavaScript in their browsers.

Accessibility statement

We make clear the level of accessibility of our website on our accessibility statement page.

Listen to or translate our website with ReachDeck

Listen to our website by using free software called ReachDeck. ReachDeck can read the content of this site out to you and offer translations* of the site into many other languages. You can use the ReachDeck tool on every page to listen to the content on that page. Visit the ReachDeck website for more information and to add the link to your device's browser.

*Translations are through ReachDeck partner programme with Google Translate. Eastbourne Borough Council and Lewes District Council cannot be held responsible for the quality or accuracy of the translations.

Colour Schemes

Using ReachDeck, you can change the colour scheme and text size to meet your needs. The options you choose here will be stored on your computer in a file called a 'cookie' (read about cookies on our site) and used every time you visit this website.

Text Sizes

Using ReachDeck, you can change the text size when browsing the site. The options you choose here will be stored on your computer in a file called a 'cookie' (read about cookies on our site) and used every time you visit this website.

Browsers and operating systems

Our website is designed to work best on the latest operating systems and browsers. We recommend Windows 10 with Google Chrome for optimal performance.

The website is also designed to work with Mac OS X operating systems and Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

On mobile devices, using the latest Chrome browser on Apple and Android should also perform without issues.

You may experience issues when using older operating systems and browsers.

PDFs and accessibility

Visually impaired users may have trouble reading PDF files with older screen reader software. Adobe recommend you always have the latest Adobe Reader software installed because it is specifically designed to make it easier for people with disabilities to read PDF files, regardless of whether the files have been optimized for accessibility. Get the latest free Adobe Reader software. Alternatively, users who have enabled BrowseAloud on our site may get the software to read the PDF document aloud.

More help available

• the BBC's accessibility help provides links to resources and documents to help users access the BBC's content
• AbilityNet's My Computer, My Way pages to find and use all accessibility features that are built into your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone
• RNIB's technology resource hub gives you facts, tips and guides on phones, tablets, desktops and specialist access technology
• Scope's Making your phone easier to use with apps suggests apps that can help make your phone or tablet easier to use
• Living Made Easy - computer control software and apps webpage includes apps and software that provide alternative methods of computer input
• University of Sussex's assistive technology for students webpage provides links to guidance on how to change settings on your computer and to software that you may wish to use
• British Assistive Technology Association raises awareness of assistive technology, has forums, special interest groups and knowledge bank for its members

Information in alternative formats and languages

Find out about interpreter support and how to request information in a different format on our alternative formats and languages page.

Feedback

We continue to try to improve the accessibility of the website and your feedback is important to us for this. Please fill in our Report a website fault form if you think that there is an accessibility problem with the site and explain the difficulties you are having. We will try to overcome any problems we are made aware of.