Commitment to Accessibility

Tuath Housing is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all users, including people with disabilities. We aim to continually improve the user experience and apply relevant accessibility standards to make our website usable for everyone.

This policy applies to the Tuath Housing website [Home – Tuath Housing] and all web content produced or controlled by us. It does not apply to third-party websites or content not managed by us.

Standards and Guidelines

Our website has been developed in compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA. These guidelines are recognised as the international standard for web accessibility and ensure that digital content is:

  • Perceivable – Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.
  • Operable – User interface components and navigation must be operable.
  • Understandable – Information and operation of the user interface must be understandable.
  • Robust – Content must be robust enough to be interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.

Legal Framework

We follow all applicable Irish and EU legislation, including:

  • European Union Web Accessibility Directive (Directive 2016/2102) – Transposed into Irish law under S.I. No. 358/2020.
  • European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882) – Implemented in Irish law under S.I. No. 636/2023.
  • Disability Act 2005 – Section 28, to the extent applicable to private services.
  • Equal Status Acts 2000–2018 – Regarding equal access to services for people with disabilities.

We are committed to meeting not just the letter but the spirit of these laws to provide a fair and accessible digital environment.

Accessibility Features

We have implemented a range of accessibility features and design practices to make sure our website is usable by everyone. In particular, we have:

  • Descriptive Alternative Text for Images – All meaningful images include descriptive alternative text so that screen reader users can understand visual content. Decorative images are either hidden from assistive technologies or given empty alt attributes.
  • Keyboard Navigation – All interactive elements such as links, buttons, and form inputs, are accessible via keyboard. A visible focus indicator and skip-to-content link are provided to help users navigate efficiently.
  • Screen Reader Compatibility – Our site uses semantic HTML5 and ARIA roles where appropriate to ensure compatibility with screen readers. Proper heading structures, labels, and regions help convey structure and meaning.
  • Text Resizing and Zoom – The site supports text enlargement and page zooming up to at least 200% without loss of functionality or readability.
  • Colour and Contrast – We use colour schemes that meet WCAG 2.2 contrast requirements, ensuring content is distinguishable for users with low vision or colour blindness.
  • Consistent Layout and Structure – Navigation and layout are consistent across pages, and information is presented in a logical, easy-to-follow hierarchy.
  • Accessible Forms – Online forms are clearly labelled with helpful instructions and error messages. Forms are fully operable with keyboards and assistive technology.
  • Multimedia Accessibility – Video and audio content includes captions, transcripts, or summaries where necessary to ensure access for users with hearing or visual impairments.
  • Avoidance of Flashes or Hazards – Our site avoids flashing elements or animations that could trigger seizures or discomfort.

Monitoring and Evaluation

This website was audited and upgraded to WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance with the support of Irish Media Agency, a web development and accessibility consultancy based in Ireland.

We maintain accessibility through:

  • Automated Testing: We use automated accessibility testing tools (such as axe, WAVE, or Lighthouse) to scan our web pages for potential issues on an annual basis. These tools help identify common problems like missing alt text, form label mismatches, and contrast violations. Automated tests are run whenever new content is published or significant site updates are made.
  • Manual Audits: In addition to automated scans, we conduct thorough manual accessibility audits of the site every year. Our team reviews pages against all relevant WCAG 2.2 AA success criteria using checklists and expert judgement. We may also engage an external accessibility expert to perform an independent audit for an unbiased evaluation.
  • Assistive Technology Testing: Our evaluation process includes testing with real assistive technologies. Team members (or external testers) navigate the site using screen readers (e.g., NVDA and VoiceOver), perform keyboard-only navigation tests, and use screen magnifiers. This ensures that the site is usable in practical scenarios, not just theoretically compliant.
  • Continuous Monitoring: We subscribe to updates on accessibility standards and regularly check for new guidelines or techniques. Any time we add new features or content to the site, accessibility is part of the quality assurance process. Our developers and content editors follow an internal checklist to verify accessibility before publishing.
  • Training and Awareness: We provide ongoing training for our web team on accessibility best practices. Developers, designers, and content authors are educated about the importance of accessible design, semantic markup, and assistive tech compatibility.

Through these monitoring and evaluation efforts, we aim to maintain a high level of compliance at all times and continuously improve the accessibility of our website. We document the findings of each audit and update our accessibility plan accordingly. Accessibility is a core aspect of our digital strategy, not a one-time project.

Feedback and Contact

We welcome feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any barriers or require content in an alternative format, please contact us:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01 676 1602
Postal Address: 33 Leeson Street Lower, D02 KD68

We aim to respond to all feedback and accessibility requests in a timely and respectful manner.

Complaints and Escalation

If you are not satisfied with our response or believe we are not meeting accessibility requirements, you may:

  • Request escalation internally for senior review.
  • Lodge a complaint with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) if your issue relates to accessibility obligations under the European Accessibility Act.

Exceptions

While we strive for full accessibility, some content may currently be partially exempt or not fully compliant due to limitations beyond our control. These include:

  • Third-Party Content – Embedded content from third parties (such as YouTube, Google Maps, Keyholder or social media widgets) may not fully meet accessibility standards. Where possible, we will try to provide accessible alternatives.
  • Older Documents – Some PDFs or Word documents published before 28 June 2025 may not be fully accessible. We are working to replace or remediate these over time.
  • Archived Content – Content retained solely for archival or historical purposes may not be updated for accessibility if not required for active use.
  • Pre-recorded Media – Audio or video files published before28 June 2025 may not include captions or transcripts.

We are committed to reviewing and improving these exceptions. Users can request accessible versions of any such content by contacting us through the channels listed above.

Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed annually and updated to reflect changes in legal obligations, technology, or best practices. Significant updates will be noted on this page.

For additional resources, refer to:

 

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared in June 2025. It may be updated without prior notice.