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 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 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 and links – 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. 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).

  13. 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).

  14. 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).

  15. 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).

  16. 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).

  17. 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).

  18. 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).

  19. 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).

  20. 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).

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.

The content of our online training courses was audited in 2020. We fixed some issues at the time.

We're currently making a decision about the online courses we offer. When we've made that decision, we will either:

  • do an accessibility audit of any courses we're keeping
  • develop new accessible courses

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

Preparation of statement

This statement was prepared on 24 September 2024.

We've prepared this statement based on the accessibility audits of Acas Learning Online in:

  • 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).