This website is run by Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL). We want as many people as possible to be able to use our website. We also aim to make 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 are working towards improving the accessibility of this website. We know some parts are not yet fully accessible. Examples of issues we are aware of:
- Many images have no alt text descriptions, some images have text descriptions that are not equivalent to their visual content; some images are used as links with complex image file names used as link text, and background images are sometimes used for important content.
- Visitors cannot skip to the main content when using a screen reader.
- The contrast between certain text and its background (e.g. light blue text on a white background) falls below the minimum AA contrast ratio for regular text.
- There are links on the website that do not make sense when read out to visitors using screen readers. For example, there are many images used as links where the links text is an indecipherable file name.
- Headings are not always organised in a logical way that helps reveal the structure of page content.
- Some forms on the website cannot be filled in when using screen reader users. For example, the step-by-step forms used by members to add tools and stories are not accessible to screen reader users.
- There is no keyboard focus indicator for many links. This makes it harder for keyboard users to navigate page content.
What to do if you cannot access parts of this website
If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:
We will consider your request and aim to get back to you within 14 days. If you cannot view our contact form, use the email address above instead.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We're always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed here, or you think we're not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact us via accessibility@doughnuteconomics.org.
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
DEAL is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reason(s):
- non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
- non-compliance with WCAG 2.1 standards
1. Images and Alt Text
Issue:
- Some images lack descriptive text, hindering the understanding of their content or purpose.
- Image filenames are used as link text, causing confusion for screen reader users.
- Background images are used for important content without alternative text.
Plan for Improvement:
We will work to support and update image alt attributes, ensuring descriptive text for meaningful comprehension. Additionally, we will replace image filenames with more meaningful link text. For background images, we will explore alternative methods to convey essential information.
This issue relates to WCAG 2.1 reference: 1.1.1 (provide alternative text that serves an equivalent purpose).
2. Contrast Issues
Issue:
- Some text-background combinations, such as the blue dates on the 'Upcoming events' area, do not meet the minimum AA contrast ratio.
Plan for Improvement:
We will adjust colour contrasts to comply with WCAG guidelines and enhance readability.
This issue relates to WCAG 2.1 reference: 1.4.3 (Minimum contrast ratio).
3. Link Text and Navigation
Issue:
- Link text lacks context when read out of context, especially for images without alt attributes.
-
There are no skip links. Adding skip links helps users jump directly to the areas of the page they are interested in, without having to click through the same set of links on every page.
Plan for Improvement:
We will implement clear and meaningful link text and add skip links and ARIA landmarks to improve navigation and user experience.
This issue relates to WCAG 2.1 reference 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) (Level A).
4. Maps
Issue:
- While maps are exempt, the homepage map poses usability issues for screen readers.
Plan for Improvement:
We will hide the map from screen reader users and provide equivalent information in an alternative, accessible format.
5. Headings
Issue:
- Headings are not organised logically, affecting the navigation experience for screen reader users.
Plan for Improvement:
We will restructure headings to ensure a logical order for improved navigation, especially for screen reader users.
This issue relates to WCAG 2.1 reference 1.3.1 - Info and Relationships: headings (Level A).
6. Forms
Issue:
- Forms, including the newsletter signup and member forms, are not fully usable for screen reader users.
Plan for Improvement:
We will work on making all forms accessible, including adding alt attributes to image buttons and improving the overall form structure and feedback.
This issue relates to WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content), Success Criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships), Success Criterion 3.3.2 (Labels or Instructions), Success Criterion 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value), WCAG 2.1 reference 2.4.6 Headings and labels describe topic or purpose. (Level AA).
7. Keyboard Focus
Issue:
- There is a lack of keyboard focus indicators that makes navigation challenging for keyboard users.
Plan for Improvement:
We will implement CSS styles to indicate keyboard focus, providing a visual indicator for users navigating through links.
This issue relates to WCAG 2.1 reference 2.4.7 Any keyboard operable user interface has a mode of operation where the keyboard focus indicator is visible. (Level AA).
8. Videos
Issue:
- Videos on the site have captions, however, to be accessible some videos also need to have a transcript and/or audio description of important visual content.
Plan for Improvement:
We will explore adding appropriate transcripts and/or audio descriptions for those videos that are not currently accessible.
WCAG 2.1 reference: 1.2.1 (Either an alternative for time-based media or an audio track is provided that presents equivalent information for pre-recorded video-only content.). Mark-up does not pass W3C validation tests. WCAG 2.1 reference: 4.1.1 (validation).
When we plan to fix these problems
We are aiming to fix many of the above issues in 2025.
Content that's not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
PDFs and other documents
The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents (including presentations) published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services.
However, we are working towards being able to ensure that any new PDFs or other documents (including presentations) we publish will meet accessibility standards. We do not yet have a timeline for this.
- There are PDFs and other documents on the website that do not meet accessibility standards - for example, the Doughnut Design for Business - Core Tool PDF, which does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2 (name, role value) among others.
- We plan to either fix or replace (i.e., with accessible HTML pages) any PDFs, documents or presentations that are essential to providing our services. We do not yet have a timeline for this.
Live video
We do not plan to add captions to live video streams as standard because live video is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.
How we tested this website
This website was last tested on 09/11/2023. The test was carried out by Jim Byrne Accessible Website Design.
Sampling and approach to testing
The most viewed pages were tested. Pages were chosen to represent the features and functionality of the website. The website was tested against the WCAG 2.1 AA using both automated tools and manual auditing by an experienced website accessibility auditor. Disabled people were included in the test team.
Where a problem was highlighted in the report this was interpreted as an example of an issue to be fixed across the site. The report was not a definitive list of every error or access issue to be found on the site.
We tested:
- Our main website platform along with a sample of ‘backend’ forms allowing registered members to add their own content to the website.
This statement was prepared on 5/12/2023. It was last updated on 15/07/2024.
