The NHS is bound by the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018. These regulations require websites and apps to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and to be usable by everyone - including disabled people.
Unfortunately, some NHS trusts are relying on so-called accessibility overlays, which I’ve written about in more depth. These are plug-in toolbars that claim to “fix” accessibility problems automatically. These overlays don’t make websites compliant. In fact, they can create new barriers, often make things worse, interfere with assistive technologies like screen readers, and give organisations a false sense of compliance. Sometimes people mean well but often they are sold products that don’t work. Over 900 accessibility professionals have signed an open letter about these products.
NHS Trusts using Accessibility overlays
After some short amount of time doing some research, I discovered at least 19 NHS trusts (or bodies) that have currently deployed overlays (there could easily be more).
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW)
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Why this matters
By using overlays instead of making their websites genuinely accessible, these trusts are failing to comply with accessibility law. That puts them at legal risk, wastes money, but more importantly, it lets down the disabled patients, staff, and carers who rely on accessible information.
The way forward
Accessibility can’t be bolted on with a widget. NHS trusts need to commit to building accessibility into their websites from the ground up. Stay tuned for part 2.