Accessibility
What we have done to make Local Reports usable by everyone, and what we are still working on.
Who runs this
Local Reports is built and run by the Reform UK group of councillors on Bury Council. It is not a Bury Council service, so the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations do not formally apply to it. We still want it to work for everyone who needs to report a problem in their street, so we treat those standards as the bar to aim for.
What we have done
We have built the app to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA where we can, and in particular:
- Every page can be used with a keyboard alone, and a “skip to main content” link lets you jump past the header.
- Form fields have proper labels, so a screen reader announces what each one is for.
- Text colours meet the AA contrast standard against their background.
- Buttons that show only an icon carry a hidden text label.
- Photos of a reported issue are described, not left blank.
- You do not have to use the map. You can type your postcode or address to set the location, which works without a mouse and without sight of the map.
- The app works at larger text sizes and reflows to fit a phone screen.
What we know is harder
We would rather tell you than pretend otherwise:
- The map itself. Interactive maps are difficult with a screen reader. The address and postcode search is there precisely so you never have to use the map to file a report, but the map is not a good experience with assistive technology, and we have not solved that.
- We have not yet had the app formally tested by someone who relies on a screen reader day to day. We have built it to the standards, but built-to-standard is not the same as proven, and we will say so until it has been.
If something does not work for you
Please tell us, and tell us what you were trying to do. It genuinely helps, and if the app is stopping you reporting something, your councillor can take the report for you in the meantime. Email hello@localreports.co.uk.
Last reviewed August 2026. This statement describes Local Reports as it works today and is updated when the app changes.