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Accessibility

Find accessibility support, useful tools and help with using this website.

Accessibility statement

Riverside is committed to making this website easy for everyone to use.

We want all users, including people with disabilities, to be able to:

  • find information easily
  • understand our content
  • use the site on any device

We build our site with accessibility in mind. We follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA as a minimum.

We aim to:

  • use clear, simple language
  • make pages easy to navigate
  • design content that works with assistive technology

We know we can always improve and welcome feedback to help us make our website more accessible.

Send us feedback

How accessible is this website?

We've designed this website to be accessible and easy to use for as many people as possible.

The website is designed to work with a wide range of browsers, devices and assistive technologies. Depending on your browser or device settings, you should be able to:

  • increase the size of text and page content
  • adjust colours and contrast using your device settings
  • zoom in without losing information or functionality
  • navigate most of the website using a keyboard
  • navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
  • listen to content using a screen reader

We also aim to use clear language and simple page layouts to make information easier to find and understand.

If you would like help adjusting your device or browser settings, visit the Make the web work for you section below.

What we're doing to improve accessibility

Accessibility is an ongoing process. We regularly review the website, identify issues and make improvements as part of our ongoing development programme. We also use customer feedback to help prioritise accessibility improvements.

Compliance status

This website has been designed and built to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA standard as a minimum.

Accessibility requirements were considered throughout the design, development and content creation process.

We regularly review the website and aim to ensure that all new content meets this standard.

How we test this website

Accessibility is considered throughout the design, development and publishing process.

We use a combination of:

  • automated accessibility testing tools
  • manual testing
  • keyboard navigation testing
  • screen reader testing
  • accessibility reviews during content creation

We also review feedback from customers and use this to help improve the website. 

Known accessibility issues

We know that some parts of the website are not fully accessible.

Examples may include:

  • some older PDF documents
  • some third-party content and services
  • some content published before accessibility improvements were introduced

Where possible, we provide accessible alternatives. 

If you need information in a different format, please contact us.

Make the web work for you

Everyone uses the web differently. Most phones, tablets, computers and web browsers include built-in settings that let you personalise your experience.

You can make text larger, change colours and contrast, have content read aloud, translate pages into another language and more. These settings work across millions of websites, not just Riverside.

Use these guides to find out how to change settings on your device or browser.

Links to external help guides open in a new tab.

Make text bigger
Most web browsers let you make text and page content larger to make websites easier to read.

On Windows, Linux and Chromebook using a keyboard you can:
  • press Ctrl and + to make text and page content bigger
  • press Ctrl and - to make text and page content smaller
  • press Ctrl and 0 to return to the default size

On Mac using a keyboard you can:

  • press ⌘ Command and + to make text and page content bigger
  • press ⌘ Command and - to make text and page content smaller
  • press ⌘ Command and 0 to return to the default size

On mobile phones and tablets using a touch screen you can:

  • place two fingers on the screen and move them apart to zoom in
  • place two fingers on the screen and more them closer together to zoom out

Tip: the zoom level you choose will usually stay the same while you continue browsing in the same browser window.

More information

Visit the links below for detailed instructions on changing zoom settings in your browser.

Improve colour and contrast

The Riverside website has been designed to use clear typography and colour combinations that are easy to read.

If you prefer different colours or contrast settings, you can use the accessibility features built into your device to personalise how websites appear.

On Windows, Linux and Chromebook you can:

  • Turn on high contrast or contrast themes
  • Change colour settings
  • Use colour filters
  • Increase the visibility of text and controls

On Mac you can:

  • Increase contrast
  • Reduce transparency
  • Invert colours
  • Apply colour filters

On mobile phones and tablets you can:

  • Turn on high contrast settings
  • Invert colours
  • Apply colour filters
  • Adjust display settings to make text and controls easier to see

Tip: if colours are difficult to distinguish, colour filters may make websites easier to read and use.

More information

Visit the links below for detailed instructions on how to improve colour and contrast settings on your device.

Have pages read aloud

Many devices and web browsers can read website content aloud. This can make information easier to understand if you find reading difficult, prefer listening, or want to follow the text as it is read.

On WIndows, Linux and Chromebook you can:

  • Use your browser's built-in Read Aloud feature
  • Use a screen reader to read website content aloud
  • Listen to selected text on a page

On Mac you can:

  • Use Spoken Content to hear selected text read aloud
  • Have content on your screen read aloud
  • Use VoiceOver to navigate and listen to website content

On mobile phones and tablets you can:

  • Have selected text read aloud
  • Listen to content on your screen
  • Use built-in screen readers such as VoiceOver or TalkBack

Tip: many browsers allow you to start reading aloud from any point on a page, making it easier to follow longer articles and documents.

More information

Visit the links below for detailed instructions on how to have website content read aloud on your specific browser or device.
View this website in another lanugage

We know that many of our customers speak languages other than English. We've designed our website to work well with the translation tools already built into your browser or device.

On a desktop or laptop computer you can:

  • Translate web pages using your browser's built-in translation tools
  • Choose from a wide range of languages
  • Translate an entire page with a few clicks
  • Use Google Translate if your browser does not offer translation

On a mobile phone or tablet you can:

  • Translate web pages using your browser's built-in translation tools
  • Use translation features available on your device
  •  Use the Google Translate app or website
  • View content in your preferred language where supported

Tip: Many browsers will automatically offer to translate a website when they detect content in another language.

More information

Visit the links below for detailed instructions on how to translate website content using your preferred browser or translation service. 
    Reduce distractions while reading

    Many web browsers include reading tools that remove distractions such as menus, adverts and other page elements. This can make website content easier to read and understand.

    On Windows, Linux and Chromebook you can:

    • Use Reader Mode or Reading View in supported browsers
    • View a simplified version of a web page
    • Focus on the main content without distractions

    On Mac you can:

    • Use Safari Reader to simplify web pages
    • Remove distractions and focus on the main content
    • Adjust the appearance of text while reading

    On mobile phones and tablets you can:

    • Use Reader Mode in supported browsers
    • View simplified versions of web pages
    • Focus on the main content without distractions

    Tip: Reader Mode can be particularly helpful if you find busy web pages distracting or difficult to follow.

    More information

    Visit the links below for detailed instructions on how to use Reader Mode and Reading View on your preferred browser.
    Navigate using a keyboard

    Many websites, including the Riverside website, can be navigated using a keyboard instead of a mouse. This can be helpful if you have difficulty using a mouse or prefer keyboard shortcuts.

    On a desktop or laptop computer you can:

    • Press Tab to move between links, buttons and form fields
    • Press Shift + Tab to move backwards
    • Press Enter to activate a link or button
    • Press the Spacebar to scroll down a page
    • Use the Arrow keys to scroll and move between items

    On a mobile phone or tablet you can:

    • Connect a Bluetooth or USB keyboard to your device
    • Use the Tab key to move between links, buttons and form fields
    • Use Enter to activate links and buttons
    • Navigate many websites without using the touch screen

    Tip: A visible focus indicator should show where you are on the page as you move through links and buttons using the keyboard.

    More information

    Visit the links below for detailed instructions on using keyboard shortcuts and keyboard navigation.
    Use voice control

    Many devices include voice control features that let you navigate websites, enter text and control your device using your voice instead of a keyboard, mouse or touch screen.

    On Windows, Linux and Chromebook you can:

    • Open websites using voice commands
    • Navigate web pages using your voice
    • Enter text into forms and search boxes
    • Control your device without using a mouse or keyboard

    On Mac you can:

    • Use Voice Control to navigate websites
    • Click buttons and links using voice commands
    • Enter text using speech
    • Control your device hands-free

    On mobile phones and tablets you can:

    • Open apps and websites using your voice
    • Dictate messages and form entries
    • Navigate your device using voice commands
    • Control many common tasks without touching the screen

    Tip: Voice control can be useful if you find typing difficult or want to use your device hands-free.

    More information

    Visit the links below for detailed instructions on how to use voice control features on your device. 
      Use a screen reader

      A screen reader is software that reads website content aloud and helps people navigate websites using a keyboard, touch gestures or voice commands. Screen readers are commonly used by people who are blind, partially sighted or have difficulty reading on screen.

      On Windows, Linux and Chromebook you can:

      • Use a built-in screen reader or install a third-party screen reader
      • Have website content read aloud
      • Navigate web pages using keyboard shortcuts
      • Access headings, links and page content more easily

      On Mac you can:

      • Use VoiceOver, the built-in screen reader
      • Have website content read aloud
      • Navigate web pages using keyboard shortcuts and gestures
      • Access page structure and content more easily

      On mobile phones and tablets you can:

      • Use built-in screen readers such as VoiceOver or TalkBack
      • Have website content read aloud
      • Navigate websites using touch gestures
      • Access page content and controls more easily

      Tip: Most modern devices include a screen reader as a standard accessibility feature, so you may not need to install any additional software.

      More information

      Visit the links below for detailed instructions on how to set up and use a screen reader on your device or operating system.
      Need more help?

      Most phones, tablets, computers and web browsers include accessibility features that can make websites easier to use. The guides on this page explain some of the most common options available.

      If you need additional support, AbilityNet provides advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

      If you have difficulty using the Riverside website or need information in an alternative format, please contact us and we'll do our best to help.

      Accessibility support and alternative formats

      If you need additional support accessing our services or information, we can help.

      We can provide communication support and, where possible, information in alternative formats to meet your needs.

       

      British Sign Language (BSL) and communication support

      If you use British Sign Language or need support with communication, we can help.

      You can contact us to request:

      • BSL interpretation
      • Relay UK support
      • Adjusted appointments
      • Support communicating with us in a way that works for you
      Alternative formats

      If you need information from this website in another format, such as:

      • Large print
      • Easy Read
      • Audio
      • Braille
      • Accessible PDF

      Please let us know and we’ll do our best to provide it. 

      Reporting issues

      If you encounter any accessibility problems, please report them to our web team at:

      digitalmarketing@riverside.org.uk

      Be sure to include the URL (web address) of the page where you found the issue.

      Homepage

      This page was last updated on 27 July 2026.