This accessibility statement applies to the Medical Benefits (Medbens) 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.
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:
- it may not be possible to navigate the website using speech recognition software
- it may not be possible to navigate the website using a screen reader
- it may not be possible to navigate the website using a keyboard
- it is not possible to zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
- it is not possible to adjust the screen size without content appearing off-screen
- it is not possible to adjust colours, contrast and fonts
- navigation does not follow appearance order when using Tab or Shift tab keys
- skip links including ‘Skip to main content’ have not been set up on any page
- all images do not include alternative text to describe the image
- most pages have issues navigating to error messages
- all pages which include tables are missing headings
- all pages have elements with low contrast
- no pages have a language defined
- all pages are not easy to navigate when stylesheets are disabled
- all pages have no headings present
- all pages have no aria landmarks to help with screen reader software
- no pages follow logical order when using Tab or Shift tab keys
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 aren’t 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: ohspolicy@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 not compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard. The non-compliances are listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
The content listed below is non-compliant with accessibility regulations because of the reasons stated under the following Disproportionate burden section.
Disproportionate burden
Navigation and accessing information
It may not be possible to navigate the website using speech recognition software. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1 (Compatibility).
It may not be possible to navigate the website using a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.1.1 (Keyboard).
It may not be possible to navigate the website using a keyboard. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.1.1 (Keyboard).
Focus order of pages are not in sequence with appearance order, so people using keyboard navigation cannot access this information in order. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.3 (Focus Order).
Skip links including 'Skip to main content' have not been set up on ay pages, so people using keyboard navigation and screen readers will not be able to skip the repeated content. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks).
All images do not include alternative text to describe an image, so people using screen readers will not have access to this information. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1 (Text Alternatives).
Most pages have issues navigating to error messages, so users may not be aware of any errors. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 3.3.1 (Error Identification).
All pages which include data in tables do not include any headings. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels).
All pages have elements with low contrast. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3 (Contrast, Minimum).
All pages have no language being defined, this may cause issues with some screen readers. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 3.1.1 (Language of Page).
All pages are not easily navigable when stylesheets are disabled. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships).
All pages are missing headings (H1), so people may no understand the relevance of the information on the page. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.2 (Page Titles).
No pages follow logical order when using Tab or Shift tab keys. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks).
Interactive tools and transactions
It is not possible to zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.19 (Reflow).
It is not possible to adjust the screen size without content appearing off-screen. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.3.4 (Orientation).
It is not possible to adjust colours, contrast and fonts. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3 (Contrast, Minimum),
All pages do not include aria landmarks, so people using a screen reader may miss information. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.1.1 (Keyboard).
We’ve assessed the cost of fixing the issues with navigation and accessing information, and with interactive tools and transactions. We believe that doing so now would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations.
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
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 2022.
This website was last tested on 10 September 2020. The test was carried out by the NHSBSA testing 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 VoiceOver) and standards checklists.
These checklists contain standards that have been compiled using WCAG, the NHS service manual and GDS guidance.