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Accessibility statement for Freedom of Information Request Portal

This accessibility statement applies to NHSBSA Freedom of Information Request Portal website.

This website is run by 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:  

  • change colours, contrast levels and fonts
  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
  • navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
  • listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions 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:

  • some images do not have alternative text
  • the title is not descriptive enough
  • you cannot navigate using speech recognition software
  • some elements have a very low colour contrast
  • form elements do not have labels
  • text size is inconsistent and some elements appear in bold
  • error descriptions may not appear in contrasting colours
  • some elements are not read by a screen reader, such as recognising language, headings, and editable sections
  • you cannot skip to the main content when using a screen reader

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:  igqueries@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

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 below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Some images, including the NHSBSA logo, do not have a text alternative, so people using a screen reader cannot access the information. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (Non-Text Content).

The website may not contain the correct code to allow screen readers to determine the content language. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 3.1.1 (Language of Page).

You cannot skip the repeated content in the page header, for example, by using a ‘skip to main content’ link. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks).

Headings on the website may not be styled properly so that screen readers can identify them. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.6 (Heading and Labels).

The title of the website is not descriptive. It does not explain that this is a Freedom of Information request form. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.6 (Heading and Labels).

Some form controls do not have labels. This makes the website difficult to navigate using a keyboard. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.1 (Keyboard Accessible) and 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels).

Some elements on the page aren't correctly identified and read by a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.3.6 (Identify Purpose).

Form fields do not change colour when selected. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.1 (Keyboard Accessible) and 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels).

Errors are not highlighted and do not contain a summary of the error over the affected field. Screen readers cannot read error messages. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 3.3.1 (Error Identification).

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) and 4.1.3 (Status Messages).

We plan to fix all the accessibility issues. When we publish new content we'll make sure they meet accessibility standards.

Disproportionate burden

Not applicable.

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

PDFs and other documents

Not applicable.

Live video

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 14 September 2020. It was last reviewed on 30 September 2021.

This website was last tested on 6 August 2020. The test was carried out by the NHSBSA Information Governance Team.

We tested all 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 screen readers (NVDA or Voice Over) and standards checklists.

These checklists contain standards that have been compiled using WCAG, NHS service manual and GDS guidance.