This accessibility statement applies to Merton Council's website, including:

This website is run by Merton 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 the options on your computer
  • 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 (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)

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.

How accessible this website is

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

  • Alt text is missing from some images
  • Some drop-down lists aren't accessible to screen reader users
  • Some form fields can't be automatically filled in by browsers
  • Some form fields don't have labels that can be read by a screen reader
  • Some form fields are not described correctly by screen reading software (incorrect ARIA attributes)
  • Some links have insufficient contrast between text and background colour
  • Some videos don't have an accessible name
  • Some web pages don't have a title
  • Most older PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software

Feedback and contact information

If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact the Web Team.

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

  • email web.team@merton.gov.uk
  • call 020 8274 4901

We’ll consider your request and aim to get back to you in 2 working days.

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).

Technical information about this website's accessibility

Merton 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

The website has been tested against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard.

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

  • Alt text is missing from some images. This affects Consultations, News and Registrar Bookings pages. This fails the criterion "1.1.1 Non-text Content (Level A)". We plan to fix this by October 2024.
  • Some drop-down fields aren't accessible to screen reader users (accessible name is missing). This affects Registrar Bookings and Councillors, Meetings and Elections pages. This fails the criterion "4.1.2: Name, Role, Value (Level A)". We plan to fix this by October 2024.
  • Some form fields are not described correctly by screen reading software (incorrect ARIA attributes). This affects forms on self.merton.gov.uk. This fails the criterion "4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (Level A)". We plan to fix this by September 2024.
  • Some form fields can't be automatically filled in by browsers (autocomplete attributes are not set). This affects forms on self.merton.gov.uk. This fails the criterion "1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose (Level AA)". We plan to fix this by September 2024.
  • Some form fields don't have labels. This affects Registrar Bookings pages. This fails the criterion "4.1.2: Name, Role, Value (Level A)". We plan to fix this by October 2024.
  • Some links have insufficient contrast between text and background colour. This affects Choice-based lettings pages. This fails the criterion "1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA)". We plan to fix this by October 2024.
  • Some videos don't have an accessible name. This affects Merton Council pages. This fails the criterion "4.1.2: Name, Role, Value (Level A)". We plan to fix this by October 2024.
  • Some web pages don't have a title. This affects Registrar Bookings pages. This fails the criterion "2.4.2: Page Titled (Level A)". We plan to fix this by October 2024.
  • Many documents in non-HTML formats, such as PDF, are not accessible in a number of ways including missing text alternatives and missing document structure.

Disproportionate burden

Not applicable.

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

We do not plan to add captions to live video streams because live video is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

Documents on the Planning Explorer are provided as part of the application being made, and have been created by third-parties. Under the regulations, third-party content that is neither funded, developed by, or under our control is exempt from the regulations.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared (first published) on 23 September 2020. It was last reviewed on 30 April 2024.

This website was last tested on 23 April 2024 against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.

The test was carried out by Merton Council. Our website team used automated tools (including Monsido, Wave and Axe) and the NVDA screen reader to test a sample of the most frequently viewed pages.