In this page:

    Accessibility Statement

    This accessibility statement applies to the MindWell website.

    This website is run by Volition and Leeds City Council on behalf of NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB).

    We want as many people as possible in Leeds to be able to use this website.

    We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and aim to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard, as recommended by the UK government (WCAG 2.1 AA).

    Using this website

    As a user with accessible needs, you should be able to:

    • change colours, contrast levels and fonts
    • zoom in up to 400% without the text spilling off the screen
    • 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 also aim to make the website text as simple as possible to understand.

    If you have a disability, AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use.

    How accessible is this website?

    We want everyone to be able to use this website easily. We regularly test and update content to meet accessibility standards and follow best practice.

    The site also includes the Recite Me accessibility toolbar, which offers text-to-speech, translation, and visual customisation tools.

    To make our content as accessible as possible we:

    • write in short, clear sentences and paragraphs
    • avoid unnecessarily complex words and phrases
    • use descriptive and informative page titles
    • apply correct heading levels to all sub-headings
    • create webpages with a logical reading and navigation order that can be fully used with a keyboard
    • provide meaningful alternative text for non-decorative images and icons
    • add text descriptions underneath diagrams and infographics
    • provide transcripts and captions for MindWell videos
    • make instructions and buttons that make sense out of context and don’t rely on colour or sound
    • ensure link text describes what you’ll find when you click it
    • avoid writing out web addresses in full
    • avoid creating PDFs unless there is a clear user need, and make them accessible wherever possible

    Where we know there are issues

    Some parts of this website are not yet fully accessible, for example:

    • some older worksheet PDF documents are not compatible with screen-reader software
    • a small number of third-party videos do not include captions or transcripts
    • some older pages may have minor colour-contrast or heading-structure issues that we are reviewing

    Feedback and contact information

    If you need information on this website in a different format, please contact us using this form.

    Please note, this inbox is not monitored every day. We will get back to you within 10 working days.

    If you are not happy with our response, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) which enforces The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’).

    Technical information about this website’s accessibility

    MindWell 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 2.2 AA standard, due to ‘the non-compliances’, listed below.

    Non-accessible content

    The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

    Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

    We are aware that some parts of this website are not fully accessible, for example:

    • Some third-party PDF documents may not be accessible, and MindWell is not responsible for their content or formatting.
    • Some worksheet PDF documents are not yet fully accessible to screen readers and do not have HTML alternatives.

    Disproportionate burden

    We have reviewed our worksheet PDFs and believe that recreating every one in an alternative format would currently be a disproportionate burden.

    All new PDFs created since August 2020 meet accessibility standards from the point of creation.

    Content that is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

    The regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they are not essential to providing our services.

    However, where older PDFs remain useful, we are gradually replacing or updating them to meet current standards.

    What we’re doing to improve accessibility

    In 2025 we began updating the site in line with WCAG 2.2, which includes new success criteria designed to support users with cognitive, mobility, and visual needs.

    We are ensuring that:

    • buttons and interactive elements are large enough to select easily
    • focus indicators are clear and visible when navigating by keyboard
    • drag-and-drop actions can be completed using alternative input methods

    We continue to improve our PDFs, video captions, transcripts, and overall site structure to make MindWell as inclusive as possible.

    Preparation of this accessibility statement

    This statement was prepared on 21 September 2020. It was last reviewed on 4 September 2025.

    This website was last tested March 2021. The test was carried out by the MindWell team. We selected a representative sample of pages to test based on usage and content type.

    British Sign Language (BSL)

    If you’re a British Sign Language (BSL) user it can be difficult to know where to go to get information to support your mental health. MindWell has a section with BSL videos to help you:

    • Get support from your GP.
    • Get help in a mental health emergency.
    • Find peer support and support groups in Leeds.
    • Find help as an unpaid carer in Leeds.
    • Find organisations in Leeds that support Deaf or deaf people.

    The Sign Health website has a range of BSL-signed videos about taking care of your wellbeing and mental health.

    Recite Me toolbar

    To make our website more accessible and provide a tailored user experience, we have implemented the Recite Me toolbar. This tool offers a range of features to enhance accessibility and usability.

    This tool meets or exceeds WCAG 2.2 contrast and text visibility standards and offers features such as:

    • Text to Speech: Each word is highlighted as it is read aloud to help you follow along. This feature supports reading in 65+ voices and 100+ written.
    • Downloadable audio: Users can download the text of a page or section as an MP3 file for offline listening.
    • Dyslexia and reading support: Options include OpenDyslexic font, reading mask and ruler to focus content, and magnifier to zoom a section of the screen.
    • Styling and customisation: Adjust font style, size, spacing; change colour themes; and enlarge the cursor to suit your visual needs.
    • Translation Tool: Translate the website content into over 100+ languages and have it read aloud in 65+ voices.
    • Text-only mode and plain text view: Switch off images and visual distractions for a simplified reading experience.

    You can launch the Recite Me toolbar by selecting ‘Accessibility‘ at the top right of any page:

    Accessibility button on desktops
    Accessibility button on desktops
    Accessibility button on mobiles
    Accessibility button on mobiles

    The Accessibility button will open the “Recite Me toolbar” at the top of your screen which will allow you to activate or deactivate the different accessibility options:

    Recite Me Accessibility Toolbar

    Keyboard shortcuts

    The following keyboard shortcuts can also be used when the Recite Me toolbar is open:

    • shift+tab: Move cursor back to toolbar once open
    • tab: Move cursor forward
    • spacebar: Select a button and change toggles
    • ctrl+right: Play next element
    • ctrl+left: Play previous element
    • ctrl+alt+p: Play the current element
    • ctrl+alt+f: Show font menu
    • ctrl+alt+c: Show theme menu
    • ctrl+r: Enable or disable ruler
    • ctrl+d: Enable or disable dictionary
    • ctrl+l: Show translation languages
    • ctrl+x: Enable or disable text-only mode
    • ctrl+m: Show page margin settings
    • ctrl+shift+o: Show or disable settings menu
    • ctrl+s: Save settings

    If you need any help using the toolbar, please refer to the Recite Me User Guide for detailed instructions and support.

    This video explains more about the Recite Me toolbar:

    By implementing the Recite Me toolbar, we hope to make our website a more inclusive digital space. We encourage feedback on the toolbar’s effectiveness and suggestions for further improvements.

    Last updated: October 2025
    Next review due: October 2026