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Accessibility

Using this website

This website is run by Walsall Council. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

  • 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
  • Navigate through most of the forms in a logical manner
  • Adjust the font size and spacing of text using Ctrl and (+/-)
  • Navigation quickly to commonly used areas using access key commands

We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

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

This website’s accessibility

We know some parts of this website aren’t fully accessible:

  • You do not have the ability to change the colours scheme.
  • Older PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software.
  • You are unable to interact with the carousel using a keyboard.
  • Some links have been written out of context.
  • Some content does not reflow when viewed at high browser magnification, which means people with visual impairments may be unable to access some content. This fails WCAG success criterion 1.4.10 (Reflow). We are reviewing how existing content reflows and intend to implement changes by end of February 2024.
  • Some forms and Aria labels are not labelled correctly. Which could cause issues to screen reader users. This fails WCAG success criteria 4.1.2 (Name, Role and Value). We are reviewing existing forms and Aria labels and intend to implement changes by end of February 2024.
  • There is no Skip to Content present. This may effect user who are blind or have low vision. This doesn’t meet WCAG success criteria 2.4.1 (Bypass blocks). We are reviewing existing hidden content and intend to implement changes by end of February 2024.
  • The link (feedback) does not take the user to the correct destination This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.4 (Link Purpose (In Context)). We are reviewing existing broken links and intend to implement changes by end of February 2024.
  • Some parts of the website do not have sufficient contrast. Between the text and background colours. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3 (contrast (minimum)). We are reviewing existing colour contrast and intend to implement changes by end of February 2024.
  • On some pages the tabbing order is not logical when navigating with a keyboard. This fails WCAG success criteria 2.4.3 ( Focus Order) We are reviewing existing tabbing content and intend to implement changes by end of February 2024.

What to do if you can’t access parts of this website

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:

  • Write to us at Walsall Council, The Civic Centre, Walsall, WS1 1TP; or
  • Call +44 1922 650000

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

Reporting accessibility issues with this website

If you find any problems that are not listed on this page or think we are not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations get in touch using our contact us form, by email webproject@walsall.gov.uk or in writing to Walsall Council, The Civic Centre, Walsall, WS1 1TP or If you cannot contact us online or by post, please call +44 1922 650000

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the accessibility regulations. If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Contacting us

There are multiple ways of communicating with Walsall Council.

  • Write to us at Walsall Council, The Civic Centre, Walsall, WS1 1TP
  • If you cannot contact us online or by post, please call +44 1922 650000

If you have a specific communication need or preference please contact us and we would be happy to discuss

Technical information about this website’s Accessibility

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

This website is fully compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard.

Issues with text

Some link text doesn’t make sense when read on its own (for example, ‘click here’).

Issues with PDFs and other documents

Many of our older PDFs and Word documents don’t meet accessibility standards - for example, they may not be marked up so they’re accessible to a screen reader.

Some of our PDFs and 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 Word documents. By end of February 2024, we plan to either fix these or replace them with accessible HTML pages.

The accessibility regulations don’t require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services. For example, we do not plan to fix “Early Debt Alert Scheme Flyer “.

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

How we tested this website

This website was last tested in November 2023. The test was carried out by Walsall Council.

We tested:

  • our main website platform, available at: https://hmolicensing.walsall.gov.uk

I am unable to use on-line services, how do I contact you?

Most customers access our services using our Contact Us form which can be accessed here. This is the easiest and quickest way to contact us.

However, where this is not possible and you do not have an online account with us please: 

  • Write to us at Walsall Council, The Civic Centre, Walsall, WS1 1TP; or
  • Call +44 1922 650000.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 13th October 2022. It was last reviewed on 29th November 2023.

Last updated on 29th November 2023.


Access keys

Most browsers support jumping to specified links or pages by typing keys defined on the web site. On Windows, you can press ALT + an access key; on Macintosh, you can press Control + an access key.
Certain pages on this site can be accessed using the following access keys (as adopted by the UK Government):

Access key s - Skip Navigation to page content
Access key 1 - Home Page
Access key 8 - Contact
Access key 0 - Accessibility and Access keys (this page)