NHS Forms

Secure form submission for NHS Scotland

Accessibility Statement

Last Updated: November 2025

1. Our Commitment to Accessibility

NHS Forms is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards.

Our accessibility standards are based on:

  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA
  • Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018
  • Equality Act 2010 (UK)
  • NHS Accessible Information Standards

2. WCAG 2.1 Compliance

2.1 What is WCAG?

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and define how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. We aim for Level AA compliance, which is the standard expected by UK law.

2.2 Our Compliance Status

NHS Forms meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards across all major features:

  • ✓ Perceivable: All content is perceivable by all users
  • ✓ Operable: All functionality is keyboard accessible
  • ✓ Understandable: Content is clear and instructions understandable
  • ✓ Robust: Compatible with current and future assistive technologies

3. Accessibility Features

3.1 Vision and Color

  • Color contrast ratios meet or exceed 4.5:1 for normal text
  • Large text options available throughout the platform
  • Support for high contrast modes
  • Color is not the only means of conveying information
  • Resizable text and zoom support

3.2 Motor and Accessibility

  • Full keyboard navigation throughout the platform
  • Visible focus indicators for keyboard navigation
  • Touch targets are at least 44x44 CSS pixels
  • Voice control and speech recognition compatible
  • Alternative input methods supported
  • No time-dependent interactions requiring rapid response

3.3 Hearing

  • All audio content has captions or transcripts
  • Video content includes captions and audio descriptions
  • Alternative text-based communication methods available
  • No critical information conveyed through sound alone

3.4 Cognitive

  • Clear, simple language throughout
  • Consistent navigation and page layout
  • Clear headings and logical structure
  • Error messages are clear and helpful
  • Form fields are clearly labeled
  • Instructions are provided before complex interactions

3.5 Screen Readers

  • Full compatibility with JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver
  • Semantic HTML structure for proper element identification
  • Appropriate use of ARIA labels and roles
  • Form labels properly associated with inputs
  • Page landmarks identified for easy navigation

4. Form Accessibility

4.1 Form Design

  • Clear, descriptive labels for all form fields
  • Required fields clearly marked with both text and symbols
  • Error messages identify the problematic field
  • Suggestions provided for correcting errors
  • No time limits on form submission
  • Logical tab order through form elements

4.2 Form Instructions

  • Instructions provided before complex form sections
  • Placeholder text does not replace labels
  • Password requirements clearly explained
  • Format requirements specified (e.g., date format)
  • Help text available for all fields

4.3 Form Submission

  • Confirmation provided before submitting sensitive data
  • Ability to review and correct entries before submission
  • Clear success messages after submission
  • Confirmation details provided for reference

5. Assistive Technology Support

5.1 Screen Readers Tested

  • JAWS (Windows)
  • NVDA (Windows)
  • VoiceOver (macOS, iOS)
  • TalkBack (Android)
  • Narrator (Windows)

5.2 Browsers Supported

  • Chrome with accessibility extensions
  • Firefox with accessibility features
  • Safari with VoiceOver
  • Edge with accessibility features

6. Document Accessibility

Documents provided by NHS Forms include:

  • Accessible PDFs with proper tagging and structure
  • Alternative formats available (Word, text, large print)
  • Documents organized with clear headings
  • Readable fonts (minimum 12pt for important documents)
  • Sufficient color contrast in all documents
  • Images include descriptive alt text

7. Video and Multimedia

  • All videos include accurate captions
  • Audio descriptions provided for video content
  • Transcripts available for all audio content
  • No auto-playing audio or video
  • Controls available for all multimedia content
  • Flash and similar technologies avoided

8. Mobile Accessibility

  • Fully responsive design that works on all screen sizes
  • Touch targets sized appropriately for mobile devices
  • Portrait and landscape orientations supported
  • Compatible with mobile screen readers
  • Gesture alternatives to touch-based interactions

9. Keyboard Navigation

NHS Forms can be fully navigated using keyboard alone:

  • Tab and Shift+Tab to move between interactive elements
  • Enter or Space to activate buttons and links
  • Arrow keys for navigation within menus and lists
  • Escape to close menus and dialogs
  • Visible focus indicators on all interactive elements
  • No keyboard traps that prevent users from moving away from elements

10. Known Limitations

While we strive for complete accessibility, we acknowledge the following areas:

  • Some embedded third-party content may not be fully accessible
  • Legacy forms may require additional accessible alternatives
  • Complex data visualizations require accessible data tables as alternatives

11. Accessibility Testing

NHS Forms undergoes regular accessibility testing including:

  • Automated testing with accessibility checker tools
  • Manual testing with assistive technologies
  • Testing with users who have disabilities
  • Quarterly accessibility audits
  • Continuous monitoring for new issues

12. Requesting Accessible Formats

If you require information in an alternative accessible format, please contact us:

  • Large print
  • Easy read/plain language
  • Braille
  • Audio format
  • Electronic text format
  • BSL (British Sign Language) video

13. Accessibility Support

We provide dedicated support for accessibility issues:

  • Email: accessibility@nhs-forms.com
  • Phone: 0800 XXX XXXX (TextRelay available)
  • Response time: Within 1 business day
  • Full investigation and resolution provided
  • Regular updates on accessibility improvements

14. Feedback and Improvement

We welcome your feedback on accessibility. Please let us know:

  • Any accessibility barriers you encounter
  • Features that work particularly well for you
  • Suggestions for accessibility improvements
  • Your experience with assistive technologies

15. Accessibility Roadmap

We are committed to continuous accessibility improvement:

  • Regular accessibility audits and testing
  • Staff training on accessibility standards
  • User feedback integration into development
  • Staying current with WCAG updates and standards
  • Proactive identification and resolution of barriers
  • Annual accessibility report publication

16. Third-Party Services

We ensure our third-party services and integrations are also accessible:

  • Accessibility requirements in vendor contracts
  • Regular audits of third-party tools
  • Alternative solutions provided where needed
  • Notification of accessibility issues in third-party services

17. Regulatory Compliance

NHS Forms complies with:

  • Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018
  • Equality Act 2010 (UK)
  • NHS Accessible Information Standards 2017
  • BS 8878:2016 Web Accessibility

18. Contact Us

If you have accessibility questions or need support:

  • Accessibility Team: accessibility@nhs-forms.com
  • Support Team: support@nhs-forms.com
  • General Inquiries: info@nhs-forms.com
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