Accessibility Statement

Accessibility Statement

Accessibility Statement for darwentowncouncil.gov.uk
Prepared: 18 May 2026. Last reviewed: 18 May 2026.

This website is run by Darwen Town Council. 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 using browser settings
  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
  • navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
  • listen to most of the website using a screen reader (such as JAWS, NVDA or VoiceOver)

We have 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.

How accessible this website is

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

  • Some of our older PDF documents — including scanned AGAR returns and historical meeting minutes — are scanned images rather than text-based files and are not accessible to screen reader software.
  • Some images across the website may not have sufficiently descriptive alternative text.
  • Some embedded third-party content (such as Facebook feeds) may not meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different format — such as accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording, or braille — please contact us:

  • Email: info@darwentowncouncil.gov.uk
  • Phone: 07977 611947
  • Post: Rebecca Hay, Council Clerk, Darwen Town Council, 239 Red Lees Road, Cliviger, Nr. Burnley, BB10 4RF

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

Reporting accessibility problems

We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page, or think we are not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact us using the details above.

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. 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

Darwen Town Council 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 (WCAG) version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non-accessible content

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

  • Scanned PDF documents: Some older documents (including historical AGAR returns and minutes) are scanned image PDFs and do not meet WCAG 2.1 criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content). We will provide accessible alternatives upon request within 10 working days.
  • Images lacking alternative text: Some images across the website may lack adequate descriptive alt text (WCAG 1.1.1). We are reviewing and correcting these on an ongoing basis.
  • Third-party content: Our embedded Facebook feed and some external widgets may not fully meet accessibility standards. We do not control the accessibility of third-party content.

Disproportionate burden

Darwen Town Council is a small parish-level council with limited resources. We have assessed that converting all historical scanned documents into fully accessible formats would represent a disproportionate burden at this time. We are committed to providing accessible versions of any specific document upon request within 10 working days at no cost.

Content not within scope of the regulations

PDFs and other documents published before 23 September 2018 are exempt from the accessibility regulations. Live video streams are also exempt.

What we are doing to improve accessibility

  • All new content published on the website is checked for accessibility before publication
  • New documents are published in accessible formats where possible
  • Accessible alternatives to any specific document are available on request within 10 working days
  • We are working with our web developer (Room Filler) to address identified accessibility issues
  • This statement is reviewed at least annually

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 18 May 2026. This website was last reviewed for accessibility in May 2026 by Darwen Town Council and its web developers, Room Filler. The next review is due by May 2027.