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Accessibility

This statement applies to content published on the domains http://ecdc.europa.eu, http://vaccination-info.eu, http://antibiotic.ecdc.europa.eu, and http://escaide.eu.

It does not apply to other content or websites published on any of its subdomains. These websites and their content will have their own specific accessibility statement.

These websites are managed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). It is designed to be used by as many people as possible, including people with disabilities.

You should be able to:

  • e.g. zoom up to 200% without problems
  • zoom in without the text spilling off the screen.
  • navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
  • navigate most of the website using a modern screen reader and speech recognition software (on your computer or phone)

ECDC websites are designed to comply with the technical standard for websites and mobile apps, EN 301 549, v.3.2.1. This closely follows level ‘AA’ of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1.

Compliance status

ECDC websites are partially compliant with technical standard EN 301 549 v.3.2.1 and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. See ‘Non-accessible content’ for more details. They were last tested on 21 August 2024.

Preparation of this statement

This statement was reviewed on 1 October 2024.

The statement is based on a review of a representative sample of web pages, using a combination of manual and automated testing.

Feedback

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of ECDC websites. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers: 

Phone: +46 (0)76 125 1800

Email: webmaster@ecdc.europa.eu

Visit our contact page.

We try to respond to feedback within 15 business days from the date of receipt of the enquiry by the responsible Commission department.

Compatibility with browsers and assistive technology

ECDC websites are designed to be compatible with the following most used assistive technologies:

  • the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari browsers;
  • In combination with the latest versions of JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver and TalkBack.

Technical specifications

The accessibility of ECDC websites relies on the following technologies to work with the particular combination of web browser and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer:

  • HTML 
  • CSS
  • Javascript

Non-accessible content

Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility of ECDC websites, we are aware of some limitations, which we are continuously working to address and improve. Below is a description of known limitations and potential solutions. Please contact us if you encounter an issue not listed below.

Known limitations for ECDC websites are the following:

  1. Alternative text for images: Some images across our websites do not have appropriate alternative text, which can hinder access for screen reader users. 
  2. Color contrast: Certain elements on the website do not meet the required minimum color contrast ratio, which can affect readability, particularly for users with visual impairments.
  3. Text selection: In some areas, text cannot be selected, making it difficult for users who rely on copying text for accessibility tools. We are working to improve text interaction features to allow for easier text selection across all content areas.
  4. Unique landmarks: Certain landmarks on the website are not unique, which can cause navigation issues for assistive technology users.
  5. Heading hierarchy: Some headings do not follow the correct hierarchy, potentially causing confusion for screen reader users. 
  6. Complex language: Many pages and attached documents are not written in plain English, which can make content difficult to understand for users with cognitive disabilities or those who do not have strong language proficiency. 
  7. Mobile menu accessibility: The mobile menu is currently not fully accessible, posing issues for users navigating via mobile devices..
  8. Keyboard navigation issues: Some menus, particularly on the European Vaccination Information Portal, ESCAIDE, and European Antibiotic Awareness Day websites, are difficult to navigate using only the keyboard.
  9. Non-accessible graphs, maps, and charts: Some graphical elements, including graphs, maps, and charts, do not contain appropriate text alternatives and rely on colour to convey information, making them inaccessible to users with visual impairments. 
  10. Incorrectly identified links: Some links across the website are not properly identified, which can cause confusion for users relying on screen readers.