For the bigger picture, start with AdviceAid security and compliance: start here.

Accessibility is part of what AdviceAid is for

AdviceAid exists to make housing, welfare, benefits and debt advice understandable to people who may be in crisis, under stress, or unfamiliar with the system. So accessibility goes wider than the technical checklist:

  • Advice is written in plain English at an appropriate reading age, so it is easier to read and act on.

  • Content can be localised, so the advice your residents see fits your area.

  • The design follows Government Digital Service (GDS) design principles, favouring clear language and simple, uncluttered layouts.

This cognitive and content accessibility is the part that helps the people who struggle most, and it is built into the product rather than added on.

WCAG conformance

The HTML content of SelfServ conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 to Level AA.

This is self-assessed, using online accessibility validation tools, with regular checks as content and the service change. Because SelfServ is the part of AdviceAid the public use, this supports your council's duties under the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Specific measures

The measures we apply include:

  • Resizable text, using relative font sizes so users can change the size of text on the page.

  • Alternative text on all images.

  • Valid HTML, with regular validation checks.

  • Plain, clearly structured content, in line with GDS design principles.

An accessibility statement for your service

AdviceAid produces an accessibility statement branded to your council, available from within the service. It sets out the commitment to WCAG 2.1 AA, the measures taken, links to AbilityNet guidance on adjusting a device, and how to report a problem. Your council can point to this statement to help meet its own duty to publish accessibility information.

Reporting an accessibility problem

The in-service statement includes a feedback route. Anyone who has trouble using the service can email support@adviceaid.uk so we can investigate and improve it.

WCAG 2.2 and EN 301 549

Some councils now ask for WCAG 2.2 Level AA, or for alignment with EN 301 549. WCAG 2.2 builds on the 2.1 standard that SelfServ already meets, and EN 301 549 incorporates WCAG. Contact us about your specific standard and we will confirm where we stand and any work planned.

What we can discuss for your assessment

If your assessment needs detail on specific points, for example keyboard navigation, colour contrast, behaviour across devices, or testing with assistive software such as JAWS, Dragon or Read&Write, contact us and we will talk through your requirements and what we can provide.

Who to contact

For questions about accessibility, contact Peter McGuire at peter.mcguire@adviceaid.uk