Accessibility Statement visit-dorset.com

This accessibility statement applies to visit-dorset.com. This website is run by the Visit Dorset tourism team part of Dorset Council. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website.


This Accessibility Statement provides an overview of the accessibility features we have implemented on this website and the new developments to meet  the WCAG 2.1 AA regulations.


We believe in access to information over the internet for all and aim to provide a website that is accessible to all visitors. You should be able to:
•    change colours, contrast levels and fonts
•    enlarge the font size
•    navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
•    navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
•    listen to most of the website using a screen reader


We have integrated the AudioEye system on to this website to assist with these actions. You can activate AudioEye by clicking on the person icon within a white circle on the right-hand side of every page.


Visual Presentation

This site uses Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) so that you may customise the presentation to suit your preferences.

All the information can be viewed without styles (also known as CSS or Cascading Style Sheets). How you remove or disable the styles will depend on the browser you are using. Refer to a user guide for how to disable CSS.
The screen text size is relative, allowing you to adjust the size of the text in your browser. You can do this from the Menu button in your browser. For example, with Chrome click on the Menu button, then choose Settings, then Appearance.

Viewing documents

Additional software might be needed to view Adobe and Word documents. Adobe Acrobat Reader - allows users to view Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files.
Adobe® Reader® X is free software that improves the accessibility of PDF files. You may need to download Microsoft Viewer software to view Word files.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability, with a step-by-step guide to individual adjustments you can make to your computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone to make it easier to use.

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:
There are some older PDF documents which are not fully accessible to screen reader software. These include town maps, however we can assist with addresses in text format on request. Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

Our inspirational video content do not all have captions and are exempt as were  recorded before 23 September 2020.

Any new video content that we record which includes narration will have captions.

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Visit Dorset is committed to making its 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 version 2.1 AA standard

The reason for partial compliance is because the website is undergoing checks and updates following its launch in August 2021.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

In August 2021 we launched a new website which was procured to meet the WCAG 2.1 AA regulations, we are currently testing this website and fixing any issues. 

Issues that we are aware of and working on include:

  • Product searches. Visually they all have labels but are not recognised in the HTML 
  • We need to change the heading tag of the 'getting to dorset' section as the headings are not in a 'sequentially-descending order'
  • Colour contrast issues on the date picker within the 'listing index'/product list areas

Navigation Aids

This website has an assistive technology navigation aid, to use it select the person icon on the right-hand side of every page.

  • AudioEye Accessibility Toolbar provides customisable tools that benefit all site visitors with diverse abilities. Each assistive utility made available from the toolbar may be engaged, individually, or combined with one another.
  • AudioEye provides implementation of the AudioEye Toolbar which provides web personalisation tools permitting site visitors to customise their user experience to meet individual needs.
  • The AudioEye Page Elements Menu provides lists of the common elements on the page such as Landmarks, Headers, Images and Forms. These lists provide easy access for you to navigate a page quickly.

Compliance and monitoring

AudioEye certifies that this website is being tested for conformance with AudioEye’s interpretation of the informative guidance provided by the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA Success Criteria.  AudioEye monitors this website and to take the steps necessary to improve conformance with WCAG standards.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements please contact us.
Problems can also be reported by using the AudioEye Toolbar.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different format such as an accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille. We will consider your request and get back to you.  Or if you wish to feedback any issues to help us to improve our website, please contact us.
email tourism@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
call 01305 252241

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).

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was updated on the 6th September 2021.