Accessibility statement for Acas e-learning

This accessibility statement applies to our e-learning website Acas e-learning.

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
  • 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 e-learning 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 labels are unclear
  • some page headings and links are not descriptive
  • some links open in a new window without informing users

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 (WCAG) version 2.2 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. There are also issues with focus order being given to elements that users cannot interact with. This may cause confusion for users who navigate using a keyboard. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 2.4.3 (focus order).
  2. The 2 address input fields are not labelled. Some interactive buttons are also not labelled. This may cause confusion for screen reader users. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.3.1 (info and relationships) and 4.1.2 (name, role, value).
  3. Some links on pages are not descriptive. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 2.4.4 (link purpose – in context), 2.4.9 (link purpose – link only) and 3.2.5 (change on request).
  4. On some pages there are custom elements which are problematic for screen reader users. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 4.1.2 (name, role, value).
  5. Some elements – including buttons, areas of text, links and form fields – are not labelled clearly. And a small number of headings are not descriptive. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 2.4.6 (headings and labels).
  6. 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 2.2 success criteria 1.4.10 (reflow).
  7. The 'autocomplete' attribute on some forms has not been used. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.3.5 (identify input purpose).

  8. Some text areas, form fields and menus are not labelled, which makes their purpose unclear. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 3.3.2 (labels or instructions).

  9. The 'contact us' link changes location depending on whether a user is logged in or not. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 3.2.6 (consistent help).

  10. On form pages, some headings are hidden from screen reader users. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.3.1 (info and relationships).

  11. On some pages, tabs are not correctly marked up with a logical structure, making the relationship between the tabs inaccurate. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.3.1 (info and relationships).

  12. On pages containing surveys, the wrong type of list is used. This means the incorrect list is read out by screen readers. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 1.3.1 (info and relationships).

  13. Some pages contain lists that are not marked up and do not get announced by screen readers. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 1.3.1 (info and relationships).

  14. On some course pages the heading is not read out by screen readers. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 1.3.1 (info and relationships).

  15. Emphasised text is not using the correct mark up, the emphasis will not be read out by screen readers. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.3.1 (info and relationships).

  16. Text content cannot be enlarged without a loss of information when the page is magnified up to 200%. Users with low vision might not be able to read the text without assistive technology. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 criteria 1.4.4 (resize text).

  17. When the course catalogue is expanded or collapsed, screen reader users are not notified. It may not be clear that additional content has been shown or hidden. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 criteria 4.1.2 (name, role, value).

  18. There's no visible focus indicator for some links. Users who navigate using a keyboard may not always know where the focus is. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 criteria 2.4.7 (focus visible).

  19. On some pages, the focus indicator has poor colour contrast with the background. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.4.11 (non-text contrast) or 2.4.7 (focus visible).

  20. With some interactive elements, there are issues with focus order and where the focus goes once you've clicked on something. These elements include notifications, messaging options, and the website menu on mobile devices. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 criteria 2.4.3 (focus order).

  21. On pages containing surveys, the focus is not correct for keyboard-only users as they’re not placed at the beginning of the new page. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 criteria 2.4.3 (focus order)

  22. There is only one way to locate content on the website. Some users might not be able to find content in a way that best meets their needs. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 criteria 2.4.5 (multiple ways).

  23. The search bar in the messaging area automatically filters content without a user submitting a search. This may cause confusion or distraction. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 criteria 3.2.2 (on input).

  24. The expanded course catalogue contains multiple links that all have the link text 'summary'. Users cannot determine the purpose of each link from the link text. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 criteria 2.4.4 (link purpose – in context).

  25. Some icons are hidden from screen reader users and do not have alternative text. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 criteria 1.1.1 (non-text content).

  26. When users adjust text spacing, on some pages the page content becomes obscured and not readable. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 criteria 1.4.12 (text spacing).

  27. Users cannot adjust text spacing on courses. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.4.12 (text spacing).

  28. On some survey pages, some required fields do not have descriptive error messages. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 3.3.1 (error identification) or 3.3.3 (error suggestion).

  29. When progressing through the post-learning feedback survey, the page title does not update to indicate where the user is in the survey. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 2.4.2 (page titled).

  30. Courses open in a new window and do not have a descriptive title. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 2.4.2 (page titled).

  31. Some course content is presented as text in an image. This text cannot be changed by the user. This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.4.5 (images of text).

What we're doing to improve accessibility

We did an accessibility audit in March 2024. We audited a sample of training course template pages and the homepage. These were tested against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.

We've fixed many of the issues raised in the March 2024 audit. And we're investigating the remaining issues and working to fix them.

We have redesigned our e-learning courses. We're working to fix some outstanding issues from the accessibility audit in August 2024.

We're also training staff to understand more about accessibility.

Preparation of statement

This statement was prepared on 2 June 2025.

We've prepared this statement based on the accessibility audits of Acas e-learning in:

  • August 2024 – testing prototypes of new courses against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard
  • March 2024 – against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard
  • June 2022 – against the WCAG 2.1 AA standard

The audits were done by the Digital Accessibility Centre.

If you would like a copy of our accessibility audit reports, 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).