Policy paper

Accessibility statement for Adult First check service

Published 23 July 2021

Applies to England and Wales

This accessibility statement applies to all of the pages on the Adult First check service provided by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

This website is managed by the Digital team at DBS, following transfer from an outgoing supplier in March 2020. The website can only be used by Registered Bodies (RBs) who want to request an Adult First check, following the submission of an Enhanced DBS check.

Most of the time, RBs use automated solutions to submit an Adult First check, and do not use manual inputting. The website should however remain accessible for those that do use manual inputting. This means, for example, that you should be able to:

• change colours, contrast levels, and fonts
• zoom in up to 300% 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
• use a screen reader to listen to the content across most of the website (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver)

The text on the website should be simple to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

1. How accessible this website is

The four pages across the Adult First check service are clear, easy to understand, and provide a basic level of assistive technology compliance.

If you’re a user with accessibility requirements, you can:

• navigate the pages using only voice commands
• input requested data into the matching fields without using a keyboard
• make changes or corrections by editing your information before you submit it
• print a copy of your submission for your own records
• get a good level of user help and prompts
• use simple and effective commands
• use “what can I say” as a command to help you see the choices available to you on a page

As well as testing using the advised assistive technology software, we’ve also tested this website with Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking software.

We know that some parts of this website are not fully accessible. A list of known issues can be found in the ‘Non-accessible content’ section of this statement.

2. Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, email us via [email protected].

3. 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).

4. Technical information about this website’s accessibility

DBS is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

4.1 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.

4.2 Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

We are currently exploring the below issues but because of the current technologies used by RBs to submit Adult First applications, any changes we make to the service would impact usability for RBs. Instead, DBS is considering a service redesign using modern technologies, that will ensure accessibility compliance.

4.3 Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations:

Results from assistive technology testing

We have tested how our website works with assistive technology and found that we need to look into and improve the following:

• When a user navigates through the webpages using the verbal ‘Tab’ command, the visual point of focus or cursor on screen can be hard to see; this fails WCAG 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast (AA) and 2.4.7 Focus Visible (AA)
• If a user uses Dragon Naturally Speaking software to read the static text on the first and fourth webpages, then it does not work; the user has to use other assistive technologies like JAWS, NVDA or Zoomtext - this fails WCAG 2.1.3 Keyboard (no exception) (AAA)

Results from operating system testing

When we tested the website across operating systems and browsers, we found the following:

• The ‘Close’ button does not close the window; this means that the user is stuck inside the page or dialogue box - this fails WCAG 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap (A) and 3.2.2 On Input (A)
• The terms and conditions checkbox is an unlabelled control; this fails WCAG 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (A)
• Bullet points are displayed as small images and they’re missing alt text, causing issues for users of screen readers; this fails WCAG 1.1.1 Non-text Content (A)
• The text in the footer section of the website is too small; this fails WCAG 1.4.3 Contrast Minimum (AA)

5. Disproportionate burden

At this time, we have not made any disproportionate burden claims.

6. Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

At this time, we have not identified any content that is not within scope of the accessibility regulations.

7. Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 13 May 2021. It was last reviewed on 12 July 2021.

This website was last tested on 20 April 2021. The test was carried out by the DBS Testing team.

We tested all pages, using the accessibility guidance recommended by Government Digital Services.

8. Feedback and contact information

If you have any problems when you use this service, you can contact us using the details below:

• DBS helpline: 03000 200 190 (select option 2 and then option 1)
• Minicom: 03000 200 192
• Welsh: 03000 200 191
• International: +44151 676 9390
• Email: [email protected]

Find out about call charges here.

When you call us, advise us what assistive technology you use.

Phone lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 5pm, on Saturday.