Accessibility Statement

This accessibility statement applies to www.folkestoneandhythe.co.uk.

We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

  • navigate most of the website using a keyboard

  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen

  • navigate most of the website using speech recognition software

  • use most of the website using a screen reader

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

If you need advice on making your device easier to use, try AbilityNet.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, or you find any problems not listed on this page, please contact:

  • Email: communications@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk

  • Response time: we aim to reply within 10 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

Folkestone & Hythe District Council is committed to making this 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) 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below. This status reflects a monitoring audit carried out by the Government Digital Service (GDS) on 6 August 2025, published 8 August 2025. 

Non-accessible content

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

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

We are working to fix the following issues identified by GDS:

  • Keyboard access (WCAG 2.1.1): Radio buttons within the cookie banner Manage preferences are not keyboard operable. (Site-wide on pages tested.) 

  • Focus visible (WCAG 2.4.7): Focus is not clearly visible on some links/icons and at 200% zoom, including the hamburger menu and certain image links. (Home, Get in touch, Things to do, Your Visit, Accessibility statement.) 

  • Pause/Stop/Hide (WCAG 2.2.2): The autoplaying homepage video cannot be paused, stopped or hidden. (Home.) 

  • Link purpose & Name/Role/Value (WCAG 2.4.4 & 4.1.2): Some image-only links don’t have discernible text (e.g., Attractions/Things to do cards); there is also a missing link label in the Accessibility Statement page. 

  • Focus not obscured (WCAG 2.4.11): When overlays (cookie banner/hamburger menu) are open, keyboard focus can move to content behind them and become hidden, especially at 200%–400% zoom. (Site-wide on pages tested.) 

  • Target size (WCAG 2.5.8): Carousel radio buttons on the homepage do not meet the 24×24px minimum target size/spacing. (Home.) 

Fix plan and timings: We are actively addressing these issues and expect to resolve them by 31 October 2025. We will then re-test and update this statement with the outcome. (GDS typically conducts follow-up checks after allowing time to fix issues.) 

Disproportionate burden

We have not currently identified any issues where fixing them would be a disproportionate burden.

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

  • Live video: Live video streams do not have captions. Live video is exempt from the regulations. 

  • Some third-party content (for example, embedded tools) that we do not control may not meet accessibility standards.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

Alongside fixing the issues listed above, we are:

  • improving focus styles across all interactive elements and at high zoom

  • ensuring all image links have accessible names

  • adjusting touch target sizing and spacing in carousels

  • updating the cookie banner for full keyboard control

  • adding pause/stop controls to the homepage video

We are also reviewing templates/components across the site to prevent regressions.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 15 August 2025 and last reviewed on 15 August 2025.

It was prepared using:

  • a GDS monitoring report of a sample of pages (test date 6 August 2025) and

  • our own internal checks using keyboard-only navigation, high-zoom testing and automated tools.

You can read the GDS monitoring report for www.folkestoneandhythe.co.uk here: “Accessibility report for www.folkestoneandhythe.co.uk”. 

Pages tested by GDS

  • Home

  • Get in touch

  • Things to do

  • Your Visit

  • Accessibility statement