This accessibility statement applies to the Refernet System (which is provided via a website and defined as a Software as a Service - SaaS) on subdomains of can.refernet.co.uk, provided by Viccari Wheele Ltd, T/A Refernet.
The content on this web service is designed for everyone to find, read, and understand. It is compatible with assistive technologies and developed to meet the accessibility standards outlined in this statement.
View the site your way
There are a number of customisation options for your browser and device that could help you use this service more effectively.
AbilityNet provide advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
Feedback and contact information link
Please email your Refernet System Administrator -
Citizens Advice Newcastle System Admin - deanb@newcastlecab.org.uk
(further contact details of which are located at the footer of your Refernet System) if you have an accessibility query including:
- If you are experiencing issues with accessing information or using the web service
- If you find an accessibility problem not listed on this statement
- If you have positive feedback on the accessibility considerations made
Your Refernet System Administrator will then contact Viccari Wheele Ltd T/A Refernet directly. There is a process in place that will acknowledge your contact, tell you who is dealing with it and give you a timescale by which you can expect a reply.
Alternative formats
If you need information in an alternative format, such as braille or a language other than English:
- Email your System Administrator -
Citizens Advice Newcastle System Admin - deanb@newcastlecab.org.uk
- Write to your System Administrator -
Citizens Advice Newcastle System Admin -
An English-speaker will take details of what you need and arrange a translation or interpreting service for you.
We may not be able to meet your requirements immediately, but we will try to provide an interpreter (or translation service) to help you as quickly as possible.
Complaints process
If you have reported a problem with the Refernet system or asked for an alternative format, but you are not happy with your response, you can use a dedicated complaints channel at -
deanb@newcastlecab.org.uk
to register your difficulty. This helps us improve the Refernet service.
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
Refernet is committed to making this web service accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Non-accessible content
We formally test the accessibility of key user journeys that represent the breadth of content across our website on a regular basis against WCAG 2.1 AA standards. If you find something that does not work that we missed, remember to contact your System Administrator
Citizens Advice Newcastle System Admin - deanb@newcastlecab.org.uk
. Your Refernet System Administrator will then contact Viccari Wheele Ltd T/A Refernet directly.
Compliance Status
This web service is compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, except only as regards the following:
1. Colour
Guideline 1.4.3 Contrast minimum"#of the WCAG 2.1 AA standard, except for:
- links do not meet the contrast ratio requirement of 4.5:1 - We aim to have this remediated in Q3 2023
2. Forms
Guideline 2.4.3 Focus Order ,'2.4.7 Focus Visible' and '1.3.5 Identify input purpose' of the WCAG 2.1 AA standards, except for:
- the tabbing order sometimes does not follows a logical sequence - We aim to have this remediated in Q3 2023
- there is an insufficient focus indicator on selected content when using keyboard to navigate the webpage - We aim to have this remediated in Q3 2023
- text input forms do not have sufficient and appropriate autocomplete attributes defined - We aim to have this remediated in Q3 2023
3. Images, Video & Media
Guideline 1.1.1 Non-text content"#of the WCAG 2.1 AA standard, except for:
- some images are missing alt tags assigned to mark it as a decorative image - We aim to have this remediated in Q3 2023
4. Website design
Guideline '1.4.10 Reflow', '2.1.1 Keyboard' and '1.3.1 Info & Relationships', '1.3.1 Sensory Characteristics' and '2.4.2 Page Titles' of the WCAG 2.1 AA standards, except for:
- page titles are not assigned to each page - We aim to have this remediated in Q3 2023
- some functionality is lost when reflowing the page at 400% zoom - We aim to have this remediated in Q4 2023
- dropdown menus are not accessible when using tab on the keyboard to navigate - We aim to have this remediated in Q4 2023
- screen readers cannot detect some items and read out where they link to - We aim to have this remediated in Q4 2023
- progress bars do not have an alternative method to present information - We aim to have this remediated in Q4 2023
Disproportionate burden
Disproportionate burden means content that would take a lot of time or money to fix, but wouldn't make it much easier to use.
We're planning to fix all the problems we've found, so this section doesn't apply to our website service.
Content that's not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
Not applicable for this statement as we plan to fix all accessibility issues.
Third-Party Content
Our web service may contain third-party content. We do not have control over and are not responsible for the accessibility of this content, but we make best endeavours to work with the 3rd party to improve its accessibility. This may include:
- Links to non-Refernet websites
- Content hosted on other websites
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 23 March 2023. It was last reviewed on 24 May 2023. This website was last tested November 2022. Viccari Wheele Ltd T/A Refernet carried out the testing internally. We used the Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology (WCAG- EM) approach to deciding on a sample of pages to test.