Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment to Accessibility

NHS Salary Calculator is dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for all healthcare workers, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. We recognize that the NHS workforce includes individuals with diverse accessibility needs, and we are committed to ensuring our salary calculation tools are usable by everyone. This commitment reflects our understanding that accessible design benefits all users, not just those with disabilities.

Our accessibility efforts are guided by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards, the UK Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018, and best practices in inclusive design. We continuously monitor and improve our accessibility features to ensure healthcare workers can access accurate salary information regardless of how they interact with technology.

Accessibility Standards and Compliance

WCAG 2.1 Level AA Compliance

NHS Salary Calculator strives to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. These internationally recognized guidelines ensure our calculators are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for users with various disabilities. We have implemented accessibility features across all four principles to create an inclusive experience for healthcare workers with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities.

UK Legal Requirements

We aim to meet the accessibility requirements outlined in the UK Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018, even though we operate as an independent service. Our commitment to these standards demonstrates our dedication to serving the entire NHS community, including colleagues with disabilities who deserve equal access to salary calculation tools and financial planning resources.

Ongoing Monitoring

We conduct regular accessibility audits using automated testing tools and manual evaluation with assistive technologies. Our development process includes accessibility checkpoints at each stage, from design through implementation and testing. We also welcome feedback from users with disabilities to identify areas for improvement and ensure our real-world accessibility matches our technical compliance efforts.

Assistive Technology Support

Screen Reader Compatibility

NHS Salary Calculator is designed to work seamlessly with popular screen readers including JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver. All form fields, buttons, and calculation results include appropriate labels and descriptions that convey meaning and context to screen reader users. Our calculators provide clear announcements when calculations are completed, ensuring users understand when results are available and how to navigate to them.

Keyboard Navigation

All functionality in our NHS salary calculators is accessible via keyboard navigation, supporting healthcare workers who cannot use a mouse or prefer keyboard interaction. We implement logical tab order throughout our forms and provide visible focus indicators so users can track their position. Keyboard shortcuts are documented and skip links allow users to bypass repetitive navigation to reach calculator functions quickly.

Voice Control Software

Our calculators are compatible with voice control software such as Dragon NaturallySpeaking and built-in voice control features in operating systems. Form fields and interactive elements have clear, consistent names that voice control users can reliably target. We avoid complex gestures or interactions that might be difficult to accomplish through voice commands.

Visual Accessibility Features

Color and Contrast

We maintain high contrast ratios throughout our design, exceeding WCAG AA requirements with a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Our NHS-branded color scheme has been carefully selected to ensure accessibility while maintaining visual appeal. Important information is never conveyed through color alone, and we provide alternative indicators such as icons, patterns, or text labels.

Text Sizing and Scaling

Our calculators support browser zoom up to 200% without loss of functionality or horizontal scrolling, accommodating users with visual impairments who need larger text. We use relative font sizes and flexible layouts that adapt to user preferences and browser settings. Text remains clear and readable at all supported zoom levels, ensuring calculation results are always accessible.

Visual Focus Indicators

Clear, high-contrast focus indicators surround interactive elements when navigated via keyboard or other assistive devices. These indicators are designed to be visible across different color perception abilities and provide sufficient contrast against all background colors used in our design. Focus indicators help all users, particularly those with motor disabilities or attention difficulties, track their current position.

Cognitive and Learning Accessibility

Clear Language and Structure

We use plain English throughout our calculators and explanations, avoiding unnecessary jargon while maintaining accuracy for NHS-specific terminology. Complex financial concepts are broken down into digestible sections with clear headings and logical flow. Our instructions are concise and action-oriented, helping users understand what information to enter and what each calculation result means for their NHS salary.

Error Prevention and Recovery

Our calculators include input validation with clear, helpful error messages that explain what went wrong and how to correct it. We provide suggestions for valid input formats and use examples to guide users toward successful completion. Error messages are associated with the relevant form fields and announced to screen readers, ensuring all users receive feedback about their input.

Consistent Design Patterns

We maintain consistent navigation, layout, and interaction patterns across all our NHS salary calculators. Similar functions work the same way throughout the site, reducing cognitive load and making it easier for users to predict how features will behave. This consistency particularly benefits users with learning disabilities, memory difficulties, or attention challenges.

Motor Accessibility Features

Target Size and Spacing

Interactive elements in our calculators meet or exceed the minimum target size of 44x44 pixels, making them easier to activate for users with motor disabilities or those using touch devices. We provide adequate spacing between clickable elements to prevent accidental activation and ensure precise interaction is not required for successful use of our salary calculation tools.

Timeout and Session Management

Our calculators do not impose time limits that could disadvantage users who need additional time to input information or navigate through complex calculations. Sessions remain active as long as needed, and we provide clear feedback about calculation progress to help users understand when operations are complete.

Alternative Input Methods

We support various input methods including keyboard, mouse, touch, and switch devices. Our forms are designed to work with adaptive technologies such as head pointers, eye-tracking systems, and other assistive input devices that NHS employees might use. All functionality is accessible through multiple interaction methods.

Mobile Accessibility

NHS Salary Calculator is fully responsive and accessible on mobile devices, tablets, and desktop computers. Our mobile implementation maintains all accessibility features while optimizing for touch interaction and smaller screens. Mobile users benefit from the same screen reader support, keyboard navigation alternatives, and visual accessibility features available on desktop versions.

Touch targets are appropriately sized for mobile interaction, and we support mobile accessibility features such as VoiceOver on iOS and TalkBack on Android. Our responsive design ensures that healthcare workers can access accurate salary calculations whether they're at work, at home, or on the go, using whatever device is most convenient for their needs.

Known Limitations and Ongoing Work

Current Limitations

While we strive for full accessibility compliance, we acknowledge that some aspects of our service may not yet meet all WCAG 2.1 Level AA criteria. We are actively working to address any identified issues and welcome feedback from users about accessibility barriers they encounter. Our development roadmap prioritizes accessibility improvements alongside new feature development.

Ongoing Improvements

We regularly update our calculators to improve accessibility based on user feedback, testing results, and evolving best practices. Recent improvements include enhanced screen reader support for calculation results, improved keyboard navigation patterns, and better error messaging. Future enhancements will focus on advanced personalization features and support for emerging assistive technologies.

Testing and Validation

Automated Testing

We use automated accessibility testing tools including axe-core and Lighthouse to identify potential issues in our code and design. These tools are integrated into our development process to catch accessibility problems early and ensure new features meet accessibility standards from the outset. Automated testing supplements but does not replace manual testing with real assistive technologies.

Manual Testing

Our team regularly tests NHS Salary Calculator using various assistive technologies including screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, voice control software, and mobile accessibility features. We also evaluate our calculators from the perspective of users with different types of disabilities to ensure our accessibility implementations work effectively in real-world usage scenarios.

User Testing

We value feedback from healthcare workers who use assistive technologies and actively seek input from the disability community within the NHS. User testing sessions help us identify accessibility barriers that might not be apparent through automated or technical testing alone, ensuring our calculators truly meet the needs of all users.

Accessibility Resources and Support

Help Documentation

We provide comprehensive help documentation that includes accessibility-specific guidance for using our calculators with various assistive technologies. This documentation covers keyboard shortcuts, screen reader navigation tips, and step-by-step instructions for completing salary calculations using different interaction methods. All help content is written in accessible formats and available in multiple presentation styles.

Alternative Formats

Upon request, we can provide information about our calculators and their results in alternative formats such as large print, high contrast, or simplified layouts. While our standard interface is designed to be accessible, we recognize that individual needs may require customized presentations of information or calculation results.

Feedback and Contact Information

Accessibility Feedback

We welcome feedback about the accessibility of NHS Salary Calculator from all users, particularly those who use assistive technologies or have experience with accessibility challenges. Your input helps us identify barriers and prioritize improvements to better serve the entire NHS community. Please contact us at accessibility@nhssalarycalculator.com with your feedback, suggestions, or accessibility concerns.

Accessibility Support

If you encounter accessibility barriers while using our calculators or need assistance accessing our services, please reach out to our support team. We are committed to working with users to resolve accessibility issues and provide alternative methods for accessing salary calculation information when needed. We aim to respond to accessibility inquiries within 48 hours and provide solutions within 5 working days.

Reporting Accessibility Issues

When reporting accessibility issues, please provide as much detail as possible including the specific barrier encountered, the assistive technology being used, browser and operating system information, and the steps that led to the problem. Detailed reports help us diagnose and resolve issues more effectively, ensuring improvements benefit all users with similar needs.

Legal Framework and Compliance

Our accessibility efforts are guided by the Equality Act 2010, which requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled users, and the UK Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018. While we operate independently of the NHS, we voluntarily adopt these standards to ensure equal access for all healthcare workers seeking salary calculation tools.

We also align our accessibility practices with international standards including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ISO/IEC 40500:2012 (W3C WCAG 2.0). These frameworks guide our approach to creating inclusive digital experiences that respect the rights and dignity of all users.

Updates to This Statement

This accessibility statement is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect improvements in our service, changes in accessibility standards, and feedback from users. We update this statement whenever we make significant accessibility improvements or identify areas where our compliance needs enhancement. Material changes to our accessibility practices or policies will be prominently announced on our website.

We encourage users to check this statement periodically to stay informed about our accessibility features and ongoing improvement efforts. Our commitment to accessibility is not static but evolves continuously as we learn from users, advance our technical capabilities, and stay current with best practices in inclusive design.