This accessibility statement applies to acas.org.uk.
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, line and fonts
- zoom in up to 500% without the text spilling off the screen
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
- navigate most of the website using 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.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
How accessible this website is
We know some parts of acas.org.uk are not fully accessible, for example:
- some documents are in PDF format instead of HTML
- some pages have poor colour contrast
- some images do not have clear image descriptions
- some heading elements are not consistent
If you cannot access parts of this website
If you need information on this website in a different format, like large print or accessible PDF, email digital@acas.org.uk
We'll consider your request and get back to you in 10 working days.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We're always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that are not listed on this page or you think we're not meeting accessibility requirements, 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).
Contact Acas
Find out how to contact us.
Text relay
If you cannot hear or speak on the phone, you can contact us using Relay UK text relay: 18001 0300 123 1100.
You can use Relay UK with the Relay UK app or a textphone. You type what you want to say and get text replies from the helpline adviser.
If you cannot phone or use text relay
If you cannot phone or use text relay, email accessibleservices@acas.org.uk
If you speak another language
If you (or someone you're calling on behalf of) speak another language, call the Acas helpline to tell us. We'll provide an interpreter.
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
- Some images do not use alternative text correctly. This might make it difficult for screen reader users to understand the information. This does not meet WCAG success criteria 1.1.1 (non-text content).
- On some of our publication pages where we offer a choice of document formats, there are duplicate links and we do not inform users that the links will open in different file formats. This might be confusing to screen reader users who might not be able to tell the difference between the 2 versions of the document, out of context. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.4 (link purpose, in context).
- Some pages have poor colour contrast. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.4.1 (use of colour) and 1.4.11 (non-text contrast).
- Some images in our research reports use colour to convey information. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.4.1 (use of colour).
- On some pages the heading level 1 (H1) has been marked up incorrectly. This is confusing for screen reader users and does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.3.1 (info and relationships) and 4.1.2 (name, role, value).
- Users can download some pages as PDFs. These are automatically generated by the website. The PDFs do not specify a tab order or default language. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.3.2 (meaningful sequence), 2.1.1 (keyboard), 2.4.3 (focus order) and 3.1.1 (language of page).
Navigation and accessing information
- Some of our reports are in PDF format and do not identify data tables correctly, so screen reader users might not be able to follow the structure of the document. This might affect their ability to access and understand the information. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.3.1 (info and relationships).
- Some content is in PDF format and uses images without text alternatives. Some users will not be able to access and understand the information. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.1.1 (non-text content).
We plan to fix these issues by December 2023.
Disproportionate burden
We've identified Codes of Practice 2 and 3 as a disproportionate burden.
We've published these Codes of Practice in HTML but they are not fully accessible because they use large amounts of bold to convey meaning.
We would need parliamentary approval to make these Codes of Practice fully accessible. We've assessed the cost and resource needed and concluded that doing so would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations.
PDFs and other documents
We're continuing to add accessible alternatives to PDFs on the website.
We occasionally link to PDFs on other websites.
All other documents published on this website are available in open formats.
How we tested this website
Our most recent audit was in March 2021.
The tests were carried out by the Digital Accessibility Centre.
We audited all templates on the website.
If you would like a copy of our accessibility audit reports, email digital@acas.org.uk
What we're doing to improve accessibility
All new templates on our website will be checked using a variety of automated and manual tests. This includes testing with users who have physical and cognitive impairments.
We'll audit acas.org.uk again in the financial year 2023 to 2024.
Preparation of statement
This statement was prepared on 13 December 2019. It was last reviewed on 30 June 2023.