Accessibility

The website

This website is run by the Housing Ombudsman Service. We aim to make the website helpful, simple, and understandable. The website has been designed to be compatible with a range of assistive software and we want as many people as possible to be able to use our website, that means you should be able to:

• Change colours, contrast levels, and fonts.
• 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.

Accessibility statement

This accessibility statement applies to the website www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk.

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

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

How accessible this website is

The website was tested in June 2021 by the Central Digital and Data Office (part of the Cabinet Office) as part of its role in monitoring the adherence to the accessibility regulations.

To ensure compliance and our commitment to Accessibility we commissioned Civic in November 2023 to test our website and assess compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard.

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

These functions do not fully support assistive technologies – chatbox, podcasts, carousel information pages, reCAPTCHAs, search by name.

The focus order is not correct within the chatbox and the trigger menu for mobiles.

The main menu focus and resizing does not adapt as expected.

We are working internally and with Civic, our supplier, to establish timeframes for fixing these issues and a programme of regular retesting, to check that issues are resolved and any potential new issues identified.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

The statement was last reviewed on 1 December 2023 and was prepared and updated on 1 December 2023.

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services. 

Feedback and contact information

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website and we’ll consider all requests for information on this website needed in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, or braille, within 10 working days.

Should you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements please let us know.

• Email website@housing-ombudsman.org.uk
• Call 0300 111 3000

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 (the ‘accessibility regulations’).

If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).