Accessibility statement for Acas Learning Online

This accessibility statement applies to our elearning website Acas Learning Online.

This website is run by Acas. 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 using browser or device settings
  • zoom in up to 150% without the text spilling off the screen
  • navigate most of the website using a keyboard or speech recognition software
  • listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)

We've also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

Find advice from AbilityNet on making your device easier to use

How accessible the website is

We know some parts of the elearning website are not fully accessible. For example:

  • the text will not reflow in a single column when you change the size of the browser window
  • some pages are difficult to navigate using a keyboard
  • some pages do not have headings
  • some labels are unclear
  • some page titles and links are not descriptive
  • on some pages there are elements that rely on path-based pointer gestures
  • the colour contrast ratios on some pages are low

Feedback and contact information

Email digital@acas.org.uk if:

  • you find any accessibility problems that are not listed on this page
  • you need information in a different format, like large print or accessible PDF

Find other ways to contact us

Technical information about this website's accessibility

Acas 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

  1. On some pages the tab order is illogical. This may cause confusion for keyboard-only users. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.3 (focus order).
  2. On some pages there is no main landmark. This may cause difficulties for some screen reader users who choose to navigate the page using landmarks. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.3.1 (info and relationships) and 2.4.1 (bypass blocks).
  3. On some pages there is no heading level 1 (H1). This is confusing for screen reader users and does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.3.1 (info and relationships), 2.4.1 (bypass blocks) and 2.4.10 (section headings).
  4. The 2 address input fields are unlabelled, so screen reader users may find it difficult to understand their purpose. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.3.1 (info and relationships) and 4.1.2 (name, role, value).
  5. There are links that open in a new window without informing users. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.4 (link purpose – in context), 2.4.9 (link purpose – link only) and 3.2.5 (change on request).
  6. Some links on pages are not descriptive. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.4 (link purpose – in context), 2.4.9 (link purpose – link only) and 3.2.5 (change on request).
  7. Some page titles are not descriptive. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.2 (page titled).
  8. Some lists have not been marked up correctly. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.3.1 (info and relationships).
  9. Users who navigate using a keyboard cannot tab to any content on the learning platform. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.1.1 (keyboard).
  10. On some pages there are custom elements which are problematic for screen reader users. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 4.1.2 (name, role, value).
  11. On some pages there are path-based pointer gestures. Users who cannot accurately perform pointer gestures may find interacting with these elements problematic. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.5.1 (pointer gestures).
  12. On some checkboxes the labelling is not clear. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.6 (headings and labels).
  13. When new content appears on the page there is no sign to indicate this to screen reader users. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 4.1.3 (status messages).
  14. The colour contrast ratio on some pages is low. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.4.3 (contrast – minimum) and 1.4.6 (contrast – enhanced).
  15. On smaller screens some pages do not show in a single column and text can be hidden off-screen. This means users need to scroll up and down and from left to right to read information. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.4.10 (reflow).
  16. The 'autocomplete' attribute on some forms has not been used. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.3.5 (identify input purpose).

What we're doing to improve accessibility

We did an accessibility audit in June 2022. We audited a sample of training course template pages and the homepage.

We're investigating the issues mentioned in the statement and working to fix them.

We're doing another accessibility audit in March 2024. This will test the website against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.

We're training staff to understand more about accessibility.

Preparation of statement

This statement was prepared on 5 March 2024.

We've prepared this statement based on the accessibility audit of Acas Learning Online in June 2022. This was carried out to the WCAG 2.1 AA standard by the Digital Accessibility Centre.

If you would like a copy of our accessibility audit report, email digital@acas.org.uk

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).