Accessibility statement

Using this website

This website is run by the Department for Education (DfE). We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website by:

  • navigate most of the website using keyboard and speech recognition software.
  • listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS and NVDA).
  • zooming up to 200% without problems
  • using assistive techonologies such as ZoomText and Fusion.
  • using different platforms including laptops, tablets and mobile phones.

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible, for example:

  • users are unable to easily interact with the rating system, as it does provide enough context visually.
  • keyboard users cannot navigate to links within the iframe using only tab.
  • keyboard users cannot navigate through the iframe using only a keyboard in a logical way, as keyboard shortcuts are not stated or provided.
  • screen readers do not read out all text within the iframe in a logical manner and repeat text multiple times.
  • screen readers do not read out keyboard shortcuts in the correct places.
  • some text may not translate well to a screen reader.
  • cannot click command for links ‘Save Transcript’ and ‘Start over’ while using Edge browser however, using a mouse grid can be used as an alternative.

To create this interactive chatbot Microsoft Bot Framework is used to render the iframe on the web page which allows the user to interact with the chatbot. This however has caused some accessibility issues for assistive technology users. We continously work with partners to improve the accessibility of the service and the products used in it.

Each department and agency which publishes content on GOV.UK is responsible for making sure it meets the accessibility regulations. We will update the statement when issues are fixed or when we expect them to be fixed.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:

We will review your request and get back to you within 11 days.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this service. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting the accessibility requirements, contact:

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the accessibility regulations. If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) (opens in a new tab).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

The Department for Education 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.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

The content below is non-accessible:

  • No focus to links within the iframe using only Tab. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criterion 2.4.3 (Focus Order)
  • No guidance to keyboard users or screen reader users on how to navigate within the iframe. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criterion 3.3.2 (Labels or Instructions)
  • Not reading out text in a logical manner by repeating text, grouping text incorrectly and not always acknowledging links and bullet points when using a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criteria 4.1.1 (Parsing) & 4.1.2 (Names, Roles, Values)
  • Screen reader reads out invisible text which has no meaningful purpose to the user. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criterion 1.1.1 (Non-Text Content)
  • No instructions prior to navigating the rating system. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criterion 3.3.2 (Labels or Instructions)
  • Screen reader does not read meaningful text associated with the rating system. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criteria 4.1.1 (Parsing) & 4.1.2 (Names, Roles, Values)
  • Rating System buttons do not have the correct alt text associated to them. Does not correctly read out the buttons using a screen reader and click command using voice commands does not work. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criteria 3.3.2 (Labels or Instructions) & 4.1.2 (Names, Roles, Values)
  • Some text does not translate well and is not understandable when using only screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships)
  • NVDA screen reader does not allow any interaction with any interactable elements within the iframe. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criteria 4.1.1 (Parsing) & 4.1.2 (Names, Roles, Values)
  • When clicking a button to produce more text in the iframe the focus can sometimes return to the top of the page when using a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criteria 4.1.1 (Parsing) & 4.1.2 (Names, Roles, Values)
  • Buttons to produce more text within the iframe do to not have the correct alternative text associated and screen readers do not read out the correct button names. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criterion 2.5.3 (Label in Name)
  • Advising Aria-keyshortcuts that are not read out by screen reader in the correct place. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criteria 4.1.1 (Parsing) & 3.3.2 (Labels or Instructions)
  • Not reading out ‘Link’ before stating link text. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criterion 2.4.4 (Link Purpose (In Context))
  • Parsing errors which could disrupt the use of this website for assistive technologies. This fails WCAG 2.1 A success criterion 4.1.1 (Parsing)

In February 2023 we will review the system again and hope to address these errors.

How we tested this website

This website was last tested on 16th February 2022. The test was carried out by the DfE.

Testing was carried out using:

  • Dragon NaturallySpeaking (V15.5), a voice recognition (speech to text) program which requires minimal user interface from a mouse or keyboard.
  • JAWS (2021), a screen reader (text to speech) program developed for users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse.
  • Zoomtext (2020), a magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users. It enlarges and enhances everything on screen, echoes typing and essential program activity, and reads screen content.
  • Fusion (2020), is a hybrid of ZoomText with its screen magnification and visual enhancements, coupled with the power and speed of JAWS for screen reading functionality.
  • Browserstack, a cloud-based testing tool to allow cross-browser testing.
  • NVDA (2021.3.5), a screen reader (text to speech) program developed for users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse.

At the time of testing, these were the DfE’s supported versions of accessibility software.

Testing methodology and browser compatibility

Testing methodology

The service was manually tested following the user acceptance scripts which involved:

  • using Screen readers (Jaws and NVDA)
  • manual visual and programmatic testing
  • using only a keyboard to navigate through the service
  • using only speech recognition to navigate through the service

During testing, the following disabilities were considered:

  • Keyboard Only: The user has a motor impairment that limits them to using only a keyboard to operate a computer.
  • Voice Activation: The user has a motor impairment that limits them to using only voice commands to operate a computer via assistive technology such as a microphone and dictation software.
  • Screen Reader: The user has a visual impairment that limits them to using accessibility software such as a screen reader to operate a computer via keyboard control and feedback via audible descriptions of visual elements.
  • Low Vision: The user has a visual impairment that limits their access to content presented at 100% magnification. The user utilises system/browser controls or accessibility software to increase screen magnification.
  • Deaf or Hard of Hearing: The user has a hearing impairment that limits their access to audio content.
  • Learning Difficulties: The user has a learning disability that limits their access to content that is presented in a way that requires a high level of literacy.

Browser compatibility

The browsers used were Edge Chromium and Chrome as these are standard in the DfE and it's agencies. The operating system used was Windows. Android and Apple devices were used for mobile accessibility testing.

This statement was prepared on 5th April 2022.

This statement was last updated on 5th April 2022.