Accessibility Statement for Land and Buildings 2023/24

The website is run by the Department for Education (DfE). We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, it is possible to:

  • change colours, contrast levels and fonts
  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
  • navigate 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 and NVDA)

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

For screen reader users:

  • some pages may be difficult to navigate as some have missing or incorrect labels or are not read aloud to the user
  • error messages are generic and may not provide enough detail to assist the user
  • following a period of inactivity, prior warning is not always given before redirecting the user back to the main dashboard

Feedback and contact information

You can email ESFA.GOVUK-ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk if you need to contact us about this accessibility statement, for example:

  • to request information on this website in a different format – we’ll consider your request and get back to you in 2 working days
  • to report an accessibility problem not listed on this page

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).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

The Department for Education 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.

Non-accessible content

  • delete button warning message is not read aloud by the screen reader on the ‘Confirm your lease agreements’ page. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 1.3.1 Level A (Adaptable – Info and Relationships) and 3.3.2 Level A (Input Assistance – Labels or Instructions)
  • the edit button label is not read aloud by the screen reader on the ‘Confirm your lease agreements’ page. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 1.3.1 Level A (Adaptable – Info and Relationships) and 3.3.2 Level A (Input Assistance – Labels or Instructions)
  • table column headers are not read aloud by the screen reader on the Landing page. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 1.3.1 Level A (Adaptable – Info and Relationships) and 3.3.2 Level A (Input Assistance – Labels or Instructions)
  • error messages on all document upload pages are too generic and do not provide sufficient information to assist the user. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 3.3.3 Level AA (Input Assistance – Error Suggestion)
  • radio button set is incorrectly labelled on the ‘Add vehicle lease’ page. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 1.3.1 Level A (Adaptable – Info and Relationships) and 4.1.2 Level A (Compatible – Name, Role, Value)
  • the lease end date month and year input fields are incorrectly labelled on the ‘Add vehicle lease’ and ‘Add other lease’ pages. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 1.3.1 Level A (Adaptable – Info and Relationships) and 3.3.2 Level A (Input Assistance – Labels or Instructions)
  • on all pages, error text is not automatically read out aloud by the screen reader when the user enters the input field. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 3.3.3 Level AA (Input Assistance – Error Suggestion)
  • pages ‘Add vehicle lease,’ Centrally Leased Assets Document Upload’ and ‘Check your occupancy’s > Additional information leasehold’ may be difficult to navigate by screen reader users as some labels are missing. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 1.3.1 Level A (Adaptable – Info and Relationships) and 4.1.2 Level A (Compatible – Name, Role, Value)
  • there is a redundant label on the ‘Centrally held assets > Additional Information church owned land’ page. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 1.3.1 Level A (Adaptable – Info and Relationships) and 4.1.2 Level A (Compatible – Name, Role, Value)

How we're improving accessibility

For Land and Buildings 2025 we plan to:

  • fix the labelling issues so there are no missing or incorrectly named labels and all labels are read aloud to the user
  • improve the error messages so they are more informative for users
  • add countdown warnings for periods of inactivity and an option to extend the session so that the user is not unexpectantly redirected to the main dashboard
  • continue to test that the web application complies with the WCAG 2.2AA standard as enhancements or changes are made
  • perform an annual accessibility audit and publish an updated accessibility statement.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 17th November 2020. It was last reviewed on 6 September 2024.

This website was last tested in August 2024. The test was carried out by the DfE. A copy of the audit report can be requested by emailing ESFA.GOVUK-ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk

Testing was carried out using:

  • Dragon NaturallySpeaking (V15), which is a voice recognition (speech to text) program used by people who may have upper limb disorders or specific problems using their hands - it requires minimal user interface from a mouse or keyboard
  • JAWS (2024), which is a screen reader (text to speech) program developed for users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse - JAWS provides speech and Braille output for the most popular computer applications
  • NVDA (2023), which is a screen reader for users with sight loss or visual impairments
  • Zoomtext (2024), which is a fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users - it enlarges and enhances everything on screen, echoes typing and essential program activity, and reads screen content.

Testing was carried out considering the following disabilities:

  • Keyboard only user - a user who has a motor impairment that limits them to using only a keyboard to operate a computer
  • Voice activation user - a user who has a motor impairment that limits them to using only voice commands to operate a computer via assistive technology such as a microphone and dictation software
  • Screen reader user - a user who has a visual impairment that limits them to using accessibility software such as a screen reader to operate a computer via keyboard control and feedback via audible descriptions of visual elements
  • Low vision user - a user who has a visual impairment that limits their access to content presented at 100% magnification and utilises system controls, browser controls or accessibility software to increase screen magnification
  • deaf or hard of hearing user - a user who has a hearing impairment that limits their access to audio content
  • Learning difficulties user - a user who has a learning disability that limits their access to content that is presented in a way that requires a high level of literacy

Testing methodology and browser compatibility

Testing was undertaken:

  • using 2 different screen reader packages as they often interact differently with a page
  • using only keyboard commands and voice where applicable - a mouse or similar device was not used
  • with consideration given to usability and neurodiversity
  • in a structured way, often following a business process from beginning to end

Testing was undertaken with:

  • the latest versions of Edge, Firefox, Chrome and Safari browsers
  • Windows operating system
  • Android, iPad and Mac devices