Website Accessibility Statement

We have developed this website to ensure that it is usable by everybody, regardless of age or disability.

Measures to support accessibility

Metropolitan takes the following measures to ensure accessibility of Metropolitan:

  • Include accessibility as part of internal policies
  • Provide accessibility training to staff.
  • Add accessibility to procurement practices.

Conformance status

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. Metropolitan is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard.

Using our site

We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. This means that you can:

  • Change contrast levels
  • Listen to website using screen reader

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

We also provide assistive technology, enabling all website visitors to customise their experience through a range of options to suit their online accessibility and language needs.

Known limitations

Whilst we try to maintain a high standard of accessibility on our website, there are some known limitations. These are documented below.

  • Limitations around third party plug-ins on the website

Non-accessible Content

Below we have listed where the Metropolitan is reporting non-accessible issues in regard to single A and Double AA WCAG success criteria.

  • WCAG 1.4.4 Resize text
  • WCAG 3.3.1 Error identification

Between our test team and development team, we will actively process all errors throughout the website using the Accessibility scanner to resolve issues and mitigate new errors as content is changed and created.

Reporting Accessibility Problems with this Website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you encounter content that you cannot access, then please contact us and we will provide you with an accessibility alternative.

Any feedback we receive will be dealt with by the Product owner and we aim to get back to you within 48 hours (if a response is requested).

If you are not happy with how we respond to issues you have raised with us about the accessibility of our website, then contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS). The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for ensuring websites meet accessibility standards.

Third-party content and functionality

We may make use of third-party resources that embed content on our website. Wherever possible we will ensure these are conformant.

Technical Information About this Website’s Accessibility

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

We aim for conformance with the WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1) at level AA.

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

Technical specifications

Accessibility of Metropolitan relies on the following technologies to work with the combination of web browser and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer:

  • HTML
  • CSS
  • JavaScript

These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used.

Assessment approach

Metropolitan assessed the accessibility of Metropolitan by the following approaches:

  • Self-evaluation via the Recite Me Accessibility Scanner on 231cover the Metropolitan landscape

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

Our accessibility journey is continuing. We regularly scan the website to confirm fixes of known issues and schedule the fixing of any new issues.

This statement was last updated on 13/02/24 and is reviewed at least once a year.