Accessibility statement for Better Shared Care Planning Application
Updated: 1 November 2023
This accessibility statement applies to Shared Care Planning Application where integrated with the NHS App on either an iOS or Android device, as well as when accessing the same services through the NHS App website via a web browser. This accessibility statement will be updated as new content and functionality is introduced with a focus is on ensuring that all features meet accessibility standards.
The Shared Care Planning Application website is hosted by Better on behalf of Universal Care Plan for London. The Universal Care Plan is an NHS service that enables every Londoner to have their care and support wishes digitally shared with healthcare professionals across the capital. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:
- Modify colors, contrast levels, and fonts.
- Zoom in on content up to 200%, with the text staying visible on the screen.
- Navigate through most of the website using only a keyboard.
- Navigate through most of the website using speech recognition software.
- Listen to the content of the website using a screen reader, including the latest versions of JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver.
If you have a disability, AbilityNet offers guidance to assist you in customizing your device for improved usability.
How accessible this website is
The accessibility of the Shared Care Planning Application within the NHS App is a priority for us, and we aim to adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 for both mobile and desktop devices. However, there are some areas, where user device accessibility settings or screen readers might not fully function as expected:
- The icon for downloading an attachment might be changed into unrepresentative characters when changing the font of text
- Certain screen readers might stop reading screen on expand elements
- Certain screen readers might detect labels as clickable when they may not be
As part of new product releases, there will be retesting and reassessment against WCAG 2.1 with an aim to resolve these areas where user device accessibility settings or screen readers might not fully function as expected.
Feedback and contact information
If you would like information on this website in an alternative or easy read format, please contact us via the details provided below. This request will be reviewed to see if the information can be provided in your preferred alternative format so you may get the most from our website.
- email – swlicb.ucphelpdesk@nhs.net
- call – 020 3880 0285
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of our Shared Care Planning Application for iOS and Android devices, as well as access from a web browser. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think that we are not meeting your accessibility requirements, please log this with our helpdesk and a member of the team will get back to you.
Enforcement procedure
The responsibility for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Website and Mobile Applications) (No.2) Accessibility Regulations 2018, also known as the ‘accessibility regulations,’ lies with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). If you find our response to your complaint unsatisfactory, you have the option to contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) for further assistance.
Technical information about the accessibility of the Shared Care Planning Application
Better on behalf of Universal Care Plan 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
The Shared Care Planning Application for iOS and Android devices,as well as access from a web browser is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standard.Non-compliances and exemptions are lsited below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
- In some places, interactive icons are used which may change into unclear symbols when modifying font settings within accessibility capabilities of your device. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships.We plan to improve icon presentation in future releases of the solution./li>
- The colour contrast of some section headings may not be clear if you have low vision. This fails criteria 1.4.3 (Contrast, level AA).We’ll optimize section headings contrast in future releases of the solution.
- Some interactive elements such as expanders have not been given an appropriate or correct name, role or value to tell you what they do when you use a screen reader. This fails criterion 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value level A). In the case of buttons, this also fails 2.4.4 (Link Purpose in Context, level A).We plan to improve these anomalies in future releases of the solution.
Disproportionate burden
There are only first level and second level menus to navigate through content of the Shared Care Planning Application. We’ve assessed the issues with navigation and accessing information, and with interactive tools and transactions. Implementing those would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations. We will make another assessment in further releases when the solution is enhanced with additional features.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 1st November 2023. It was last reviewed on 1st November 2023.
This website was last tested on 1st November 2023. The test was carried out by Better’s quality assurance department.
We took an approach of testing a sample of pages that provided coverage across all the different user interface elements within the solution.
You can request the full accessibility test report via the following routes:
- email – swlicb.ucphelpdesk@nhs.net
- call – 020 3880 0285
