This accessibility statement applies to the Official Statistics Narratives website.
This website is run by the NHS Business Services Authority. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:
- zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
- change screen orientation to portrait or landscape
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
- listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent version of NVDA)
We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
How accessible this website is
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible, as:
- the language of the website has not been set correctly which can make it difficult for people using screen readers
- some pages have images which have issues with alternative text which make them difficult to identify with a screen reader
- some pages contain empty or unnecessary links
- some pages have issues with the heading structure making it difficult to navigate
- on some pages, the contrast between foreground and background makes the website difficult to read
- you cannot skip to the main content when using a screen reader
- it may not possible to navigate the website using speech recognition software
How to request content in an accessible format
If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, you can contact us by:
Email: accessibility@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.
This inbox is only for accessibility queries. This inbox is not for technical queries or IT problems. If you have a query that is not about accessibility, go to the ‘Contact us’ section of this page.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that are not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, you can contact us by:
Email: accessibility@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
This inbox is only for accessibility queries. This inbox is not for technical queries or IT problems. If you have a query that is not about accessibility, go to the ‘Contact us’ section of this page.
Enforcement procedure
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’).
If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).
Contact us
For all queries not accessibility related, you can contact us by:
Email: help@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
The NHS Business Services Authority 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 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
The settings of the page do not have the correct language selected which can make it difficult for screen readers. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 3.1.1 (Language of Page).
Some pages have images which have issues with alternative text. This means people using a screen reader cannot access the information properly. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content).
Certain pages have issues with redundant and empty links. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.4 (Link Purpose).
Some pages have missing headings and use a structure which could be difficult to follow. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels).
Some pages contain elements that have very low contrast between foreground and background. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3 (Contrast Minimum).
Certain pages do not have the option to skip the repeated content in the page header such as ‘skip to main content’. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks) and 3.2.3 (Consistent Navigation).
It’s not possible to navigate all of the website using speech recognition software. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value) & 4.1.3 (Status Messages).
We plan to fix these issues.
Disproportionate burden
Not applicable.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
We’re committed to making sure this website is compliant to WCAG 2.1 ‘AA’ standard.
Every new released website will be designed, built and tested to meet ‘AA’ standards by default.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 3 November 2020. It was last reviewed on 30 September 2021.
This website was last tested on 3 November 2020. The test was carried out by the Insight Information Services training team.
We tested a sample of the website screens to meet ‘AA’ WCAG 2.1 standards, using manual and automated tests.
We run each webpage through automated Wave, Lighthouse and Axe accessibility tools then manually test with a screen reader (NVDA) and standards checklists.
These checklists contain standards that have been compiled using WCAG, the NHS service manual and GDS guidance.