Accessibility

Merthyr Valleys Homes is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of disability, capability or technology. We routinely check web pages – when amendments are made to existing pages and when new pages are released – to ensure that they meet our accessibility requirements, and we will respond positively to feedback regarding the accessibility of any of our pages or services.

Using the Website

We aim to provide the most accessible experience possible for our visitors and have implemented the following accessibility features:

Keyboard Navigation

  • Logical and consistent navigation is provided for keyboard users.
  • Links can be understood out of context for screen reader users
  • Links are highlighted on keyboard focus
  • Our logo links to the home page
  • Site search facilities have been implemented

Screen reader navigation

If you are using a screen reader, you should be able to navigate through the site using the following keyboard commands:

  • H to move forwards through the page headings
  • Shift + H to move backwards through the page headings
  • 1 to navigate to the next level 1 heading (or 2 for the next level 2 heading, and so on to heading 6)
  • Shift + 1 to navigate to the previous level 1 heading (same applies for headings 2-6)
  • Insert + F5 to get a list of all form controls on the page
  • Insert + F6 to get a list of all headings on the page
  • Insert + F7 to get a list of all links on the page

Changing the colour and font of the display

You can also use the controls in your browser to change the size of the text or the colour of the display.

For example, to override website font and colour settings in Internet Explorer:

  • Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Internet Explorer.
  • Click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
  • Click the General tab, and then click Accessibility.
  • Select the Ignore colours specified on web pages, Ignore font styles specified on web pages, and Ignore font sizes specified on web pages check boxes, and then click OK twice.

Media Player

We currently use YouTube to present video information.

Links, new windows and layers

Links to pages and other websites will open in the same window unless otherwise stated within the link alt text or before a list of links. Some links may also open in a new layer, like a pop up, on top of the page you are viewing.

The text (opens in a new window) will be hidden of screen for screen reader users.

Before a list of links:

Links to downloadable documents and files will open in a new window to avoid conflicting with assistive technologies. These links will use the following format:

  • Filename (File Type, File Size)

For example: Application Form (PDF, 1.7 MB)

You can open links in a new window by using the keyboard shortcut Shift+Enter (Internet Explorer for PC and Firefox for PC and Mac).

Please note: The keyboard shortcut for opening links in a new window may be different depending on the browser and operating system.

Downloadable Files

We have made files available to download in a variety of formats. The most common are:

  • Adobe Acrobat (.pdf)
  • Microsoft Word (.doc)

If you are unable to open these types of documents, please download and install the latest versions of the free viewer software:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader Download Page
  • Microsoft Word Viewer Download Page

Accessibility Limitations

Merthyr Valleys Homes does not assume responsibility for third party applications.

Due to certain constraints, we have had to include technologies and features that cause accessibility issues. These include:

  • The YouTube player
  • Twitter feed
  • Browsealoud

Whilst we have endeavoured to upload accessible PDFs since March 2017 some of our older documents may not be accessible to all. We are making every effort to overcome these limitations and if you require alternative versions to our downloadable documents (such as plain text), or if you experience any accessibility problems with our site, please contact us.

Accessibility Guidelines

This site has been developed to conform to level AA of the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0). These guidelines are the internationally recognised benchmark for building accessible web sites. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines explain how to make websites more accessible for people with disabilities. Conformance with these guidelines also makes websites more user-friendly everyone.

Assistive Technologies

The following assistive technologies are compatible with the site except for areas that have accessibility limitations outside of our control.

JAWS version 16 and 18 Screen Reader

Dragon Naturally Speaking Dragon 15

ZoomText 10.1 Screen Magnifier

Please note: You may experience issues with older versions of these applications or other assistive technologies. If you experience any issues, please feel free to contact us.

Browser Compatibility

The site has been cross-platform and cross-browser tested and is currently compatible with modern browsers including Microsoft Internet Explorer 11, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari and Google Chrome

Please note: You may experience issues with older versions of these browsers or other web browsers. If you experience any issues, please feel free to contact us.

Web Standards and Technologies

This website has been developed to conform to World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards for HTML 5 (HyperText Mark-up Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets).

This website is reliant upon HTML and CSS to render content. Additional technologies including JavaScript have been utilised, certain areas such as alternative style sheets rely on this technology. However, every effort has been made to make these technologies as accessible as possible.

Contacting Us

We are always looking for ways to help people get the best experience from this website. If there is information you think that should be included on this page, or if you experience any problem accessing the website then please feel free to contact us:

Email: mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: +44 1685 727772

Conformance Date

This accessibility statement was last updated on 29 March 2017