Accessible communications

Website

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille email customer.services@spelthorne.gov.uk or call 01784 451499

Our Customer Services team will put you in touch with the service area whose information you are trying to read.

When you visit our website (either on desktop, phone or tablet) there is an accessibility tool available which provides you with options so that you can use the website in a way that works best for you. This software is provided by Recite Me.

The technology provides the online tools needed to understand and engage with services easier and without barriers. The accessibility tool will support people who are neurodiverse, visually impaired, speak English as a second language or of old age.

The new tool bar has a range of accessibility features to allow users to customise the way they can interact with our website;

• screen reader; supporting people who have a visual impartment the reader will help website visitors perceive and understand digital content by reading aloud website text, which can be customised to suit the viewer
• reading; 10% of people worldwide have a learning disability, so reading content online can be a challenge for some people. To simplify and support website visitors the tool provides five main tools; ruler, screen mask, magnifier, margins, and a dictionary
• styling; 15% of the world's population are neurodivergent. The assistive toolbar will allow people to change the way a website looks. Users are able to customise the websites colour scheme as well as the text, font style, size, colour, and spacing
• translation; 1 in 10 people don't speak English as their first language and the toolbar will quickly and easily translate the web content into over 100 languages, including 35 text to speech voices

Translation

If you are visiting the Council Offices and English isn't your first language, we can contact a translator over the telephone for you. Alternatively you can email Customer Services or write to us and we will arrange for a translator to contact you by telephone or in writing.

You can also use Google Translate but, please be aware that the free online translators do not provide a 100% accuracy when translating our website.

Social media

We have a range of social media channels which we invite people to use. Share news, events and information on Council services. Find out more information..

Descriptive captions and alternative text (also known as alt text) are added to posts to allow people to visualise images when they can't see them.

The Bulletin magazine

This magazine is for Spelthorne residents and is delivered free. You can also read online at www.spelthorne.gov.uk/about-council/news-and-media/bulletin

We also provide CD versions of the magazine for blind and partially-sighted residents. For more information on how to obtain a copy, please call the Communications Team on 01784 444260.

Consultations

The Council uses a range of research and consultation methods to find out what residents think. To make our consultations as accessible as possible, residents can request questionnaires as paper copies, speak to members of the project team via the telephone, email comments or write to the Council. Face to face events are also held where possible.

You can find information on Council consultations at www.spelthorne.gov.uk/about-council/surveys-and-consultations