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Last updated: 22 October 2026

Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment to Accessibility

The British Deaf Association (BDA) is committed to making the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015 website accessible to everyone, including Deaf people, disabled people and those who use assistive technologies.

We believe everyone should have equal access to information about the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015, the BSL National Plan and related resources.

Our website has been designed and developed with accessibility at its core, ensuring visitors can navigate, understand and interact with its content as easily as possible.

Accessibility Compliance

This website has been tested against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA and has passed all applicable accessibility checks.

Compliance status: Fully conformant with WCAG 2.2 Level AA.

This means the website meets the applicable Level A and Level AA success criteria of WCAG 2.2.

We are committed to maintaining these standards as the website continues to develop.

Accessibility Features

We have incorporated a range of accessibility features to make the website easier to use for everyone.

British Sign Language (BSL)

British Sign Language is central to this website.

  • BSL videos are provided throughout the website to make information accessible to BSL users.
  • Videos are presented alongside relevant written information where appropriate.
  • Video controls allow users to play, pause and manage playback.

Keyboard Accessibility

The website is fully keyboard-friendly and can be navigated without using a mouse.

  • All interactive elements can be accessed using a keyboard.
  • Users can navigate through links, buttons and menus using the Tab key.
  • Visible keyboard focus indicators help users identify their current position.
  • Navigation follows a logical and consistent order.
  • Keyboard users can operate interactive elements without becoming trapped.

Screen Reader Compatibility

The website has been developed using accessible HTML structures and established accessibility practices.

  • Clear heading structures help users navigate content.
  • Images include meaningful alternative text where appropriate.
  • Links and buttons have descriptive labels.
  • Forms use accessible labels and instructions.
  • Content is organised logically to support assistive technologies.

Visual Accessibility

The website has been designed to support users with different visual requirements.

  • Text and interface elements meet WCAG 2.2 AA colour contrast requirements.
  • Text can be enlarged without losing important content or functionality.
  • The website uses clear, readable typography.
  • Information is not communicated through colour alone.
  • The responsive layout supports different screen sizes, including mobile phones and tablets.

Clear Content and Navigation

We aim to make information easy to find, understand and use.

  • Pages use clear headings and logical content structures.
  • Navigation is consistent throughout the website.
  • Links use meaningful descriptions.
  • Content is organised into accessible sections.
  • The website supports both BSL and written English.

Accessibility Testing

The website has undergone accessibility testing against WCAG 2.2 Level AA.

Testing has covered key areas including:

  • Keyboard navigation and focus visibility.
  • Colour contrast and text readability.
  • Heading structures and semantic HTML.
  • Alternative text for images.
  • Accessible links, buttons and forms.
  • Responsive layouts and content resizing.
  • Compatibility with assistive technologies.
  • Accessibility of interactive website components.

The website has passed all applicable WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility checks.

We recognise that accessibility is an ongoing responsibility. We will continue reviewing the website and testing new content and features to maintain compliance.

Reporting Accessibility Problems

We are always looking for ways to improve the accessibility of this website.

If you experience any accessibility barriers, have difficulty accessing information or would like to suggest an improvement, please contact us.

You can also contact us if you need information in an alternative accessible format.

Contact: British Deaf Association (BDA)

Website: BSL (Scotland) Act 2015

Contact page: https://bslscotlandact2015.scot/contact/

When reporting an accessibility issue, please include the page address and a brief description of the problem, where possible.

We will review your feedback and work towards resolving any accessibility barriers identified.

Ongoing Accessibility Improvements

Accessibility is an essential part of our website development and content management.

We are committed to:

  • Maintaining WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance.
  • Reviewing accessibility when adding or updating content.
  • Ensuring new features remain keyboard-accessible.
  • Providing accessible BSL video content.
  • Addressing accessibility issues identified through testing or user feedback.
  • Continuing to improve the experience for Deaf and disabled visitors.

Statement Preparation

This accessibility statement was prepared on 22 October 2026.

The website has been assessed against WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility requirements.

The statement will be reviewed and updated when significant changes are made to the website or following further accessibility assessments.

Our goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of disability, technology or communication preference, can access information about the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015 equally.