Accessibility

Accessibility Statement

ESB is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020.

This accessibility statement applies to content published on www.esbnetworks.ie.

Compliance Status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA, due to non-accessible content and exemptions. These can be seen in the list below, along with a brief explanation of their user impact and the relevant WCAG success criteria.

Non-Accessible Content

Lists: Some lists with filters or dropdown are not tagged appropriately which may impact those using screen-readers (WCAG guideline 1.3.1)

Colour Contrast: Some text, buttons and links have low colour contrast which may be difficult to read and distinguish (WCAG guidelines 1.4.1 and 1.4.3)

Resizing: One page of the site cannot be zoomed in which may present difficulties for those with low vision (WCAG guideline 1.4.4).

Links: Some links are not distinguishable and may be difficult to understand by those using screen-readers (WCAG guidelines 2.4.4 and 4.1.2)

Media: Some of the known issues with our videos are;

Videos do not have audio description tracks or alternatives where necessary to ensure those with low vision have full access to the video content. (WCAG guidelines 1.2.1; 1.2.3 and 1.2.5).
Our videos will continue to play if the dialog is dismissed while the video is playing (WCAG guideline 2.1.1)
Our videos do not have appropriate visible focus indictors on active controls which may trap keyboard users inside them when open (WCAG guideline 2.4.3)

PDFs: Many PDF documents on our site are not fully accessible which means people using screen-readers and assistive technology may have difficulty navigating and accessing the content of the document. Some of the known issues with our PDFs include:

images and figures do not have alternative text (WCAG guideline 1.1.1)
tables, headings and lists are not defined or tagged appropriately (WCAG guideline 1.3.1)
titles are not identified (WCAG guideline 2.4.2)

Exempt Content

The content below is not within the scope of the applicable legislation

Older PDFs or documents published before 23 September 2018.
Any pre-recorded videos or audio material published before 23 September 2020.
Live video content which is recorded and stored.
Specialist content such as maps.
Third party content we use but do not have control over such as YouTube and Google Maps.

Preparation of this Accessibility Statement

This statement was prepared on 06 December 2024 by reviewing the results of automated testing using axe-core rules.

A significant update to improve the accessibility of ESB Networks was carried out in recent months and as a result, we are currently in the process of undertaking manual testing of this website and continue to engage with people with disabilities in testing our site.

All audits are reviewed for conformance with the relevant Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standard.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

ESB intends this site to be used by as many users as possible, including assistive technology users and we are working towards an accessible design by;

undertaking a manual access audit with our external partners.
putting a roadmap in place to work towards compliance and achieve a better standard of accessibility. This includes guidance on the creation of accessible PDF and Word documents.
revise this Accessibility Statement once improvements have been made.

Feedback and Contact Information

ESB is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for persons with disabilities and we are always looking for ways to improve the accessibility of this site.

If you find any problems not listed on this Accessibility Statement or you have some feedback, comments or have a complaint about the accessibility of this website, please contact our Access Officer by email on disabilityaccessofficer@esb.ie or contact 01 7026009. You can also write to the Access Officer at ESB Head Office, 27 Fitzwilliam Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 KT92.

The role of the Access Officer is to provide and coordinate guidance and assistance for persons with disabilities in accessing the services we provide.

Alternative Formats

If you need specific content in an alternative or accessible format, please include the following details in your request to ESB’s Access Officer:

Your required format.
The content you wish to receive (please include the URL of the content)
Your name and email address.

We will do our best to accommodate your request.

Enforcement Procedure

If you are not happy with the result of your complaint to ESB’s Access Officer, you may request to have the matter referred to a higher level in ESB for review.

If you are still not satisfied you can refer to the Office of the Ombudsman for consideration under the Disability Act. Here is the contact information and guidance on making a complaint from the Office of the Ombudsman.

You may also refer your complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission for consideration under the Equal Status Act. Here is the contact information and advice on making a complaint under the Equal Status Act.

Access Officer

Role of Access Officer

Access Officer

We have always taken a positive approach to disability and was among the first public bodies to appoint an Access Officer as required by the Disability Act 2005. The Access Officer plays a vital role in ensuring that people with disabilities can access services and information provided by ESB.

Some of the areas that ESB’s Access Officer is responsible for include;

Providing assistance and guidance to people with disabilities, including our customers with disabilities, who have difficulty in accessing our services.
Providing guidance and advice to employees and potential employees to identify and implement reasonable accommodations, where required
Act as primary point of contact for customers, employees, and prospective employees to ensure accessibility of ESB services and information
Promoting accessibility across communications, customer service, IT and buildings.
Collaborating cross-company to ensure full compliance with the Disability Act 2005.

The role of Access Officer through Irish Sign Language

Our access officer, Caroline McGrotty, provides all information listed on this page through Irish Sign Language. Play video below.

Contact Details

To discuss your queries, concerns or comments with the Access Officer, you can do so in multiple ways.

You can send an email to disabilityaccessofficer@esb.ie.
You can telephone 01 7026009 where your initial contact details will be taken and passed onto the Access Officer who will arrange to call you back.
You can write to the Access Officer at ESB Head Office, 27 Fitzwilliam Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 KT92.

We recognise that Irish Sign Language (ISL) is an official language, and people are welcome to contact us if they wish to communicate through ISL.

To ensure we can address your query as best as we can, please outline the specific issue or barrier you wish to discuss, your preferred method of communication and any supports you may require, alongside the appropriate contact details

Non-Compliance with Disability Act 2005

If you consider that we have failed to comply with Sections 25 to 29 of the Disability Act, you can raise a complaint with the Access Officer. Complaints will be recorded in writing and must relate to relevant services specified in the Act. It will then be forwarded to the appropriate ESB Business Unit for investigation and reply.

If you are not happy with the result of our investigation, you may request to have the matter referred to a higher level in ESB for review.

Get in Touch

Phone

1800 372 757

esbnetworks@esb.ie