Accessibility statement for vmd.gov.uk and vmd.defra.gov.uk
This accessibility statement applies to the following domains - vmd.defra.gov.uk and vmd.gov.uk
These websites are run by Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). We want as many people as possible to be able to use these websites. We use the Government Digital Service's design system for our new services. This means the designs have been extensively tested for accessibility. That means 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
listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)
We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
Feedback and contact information
If you need information on these websites in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:
email postmaster@vmd.gov.uk
call 01932 3383611
We will consider your request and get back to you in 15 working days.
If you cannot view the map on our 'contact us' page, call or email us for directions.
Reporting accessibility problems with these websites
We are always looking to improve the accessibility of these websites. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we are not meeting accessibility requirements, contact:
email postmaster@vmd.gov.uk
call 01932 3383611
and provide details of the page/and or section you are having issues with, and the type of problem you are having.
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 are not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).
Technical information about these websites’ accessibility
Veterinary Medicines Directorate is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Compliance status
These websites are partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
vmd.defra.gov.uk
The following pages have some accessibility issues, an accessibility audit is currently underway and a comprehensive update to this section will be provided 01/02/2024.
https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/InternetRetailers/accredited-retailers.aspx
https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/pharmacovigilanceadverseeventdata/
https://vmd.defra.gov.uk/register/specific-manufacturing-authorisations-holders
https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/register/approved-sqp-feed-business-premises
https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/register/specific-manufacturing-sites
https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/register/good-manufacturing-practice
vmd.gov.uk
The table providing the search results for users has been marked up with three column headers and four columns. This means that the last column containing the ‘select’ link, does not possess a header to introduce the column and its content. This does not comply with WCAG Level A 2.2, 1.3.1.
We plan to fix this page by April 2024.
Each of the <dl> elements used to display the information from previous pages, possess <div> tags as their direct child elements. These are inappropriate child elements for the specific parent and may cause incorrect information and relationships to be conveyed to users of screen reading assistive technologies. This does not comply with WCAG Level A 2.2, 1.3.1.
https://vmd.gov.uk/business/register/veterinary-practice/check-youranswers
https://vmd.gov.uk/imports/[practicename]/application/[applicationreference]/your-selected-product
We plan to fix these pages by April 2024.
The headings on the accounts page do not convey the same information and relationships for users of screen reading assistive technologies as they do visually for users. This does not comply with WCAG Level A 2.2, 1.3.1.
We plan to fix this page by April 2024.
The ‘menu’ button has had its accessible name changed to ‘show top level navigation’ with the use of an ‘aria-label’. This does not comply with WCAG Level A 2.2, 2.5.3.
We plan to fix this page by April 2024.
When a user attempts to send invite without completing the forms, they are presented with an error message that does not inform them of the issue at hand, as the error message reads ‘validation_error_email_address_required viewtext item missing!’. This does not comply with WCAG Level A 2.2, 3.3.1 & Level AA 2.2 3.3.3.
We plan to fix this page by April 2024.
The page title for the check your answers page, has been set as ‘The Veterinary Medicines Directorate’. This does not describe the purpose of the page and is duplicated from the previous page. This does not comply with WCAG Level A 2.2, 2.4.2.
We plan to fix this page by April 2024.
The page title for the invite a new user page, has been set as ‘View and change users’. This does not describe the purpose of the page and is duplicated from the previous page. This does not comply with WCAG Level A 2.2, 2.4.2.
We plan to fix this page by April 2024.
The PDF document has not been tagged. This means that all of the content within does not possess any semantics and does not convey the appropriate information, relationships, and structure to users of screen reading assistive technologies. This does not comply with WCAG Level A 2.2, 1.1.1 & 1.3.1.
The PDF Document did not possess a title in the document properties meaning that it relied on the file name alone to inform users of screen reading assistive technologies of the purpose of the document. This does not comply with WCAG Level A 2.2, 2.4.2.
The read order has not been set in the PDF document, meaning that users navigating with a keyboard alone, may not encounter the content in the intended order. This does not comply with WCAG Level A 2.2, 2.4.3.
We plan to fix these pdf documents by April 2024.
The ‘Download certificate' links rely on additional content for context to understand their purpose. This does not comply with WCAG Level A 2.2, 2.4.4.
We plan to fix this page by April 2024.
When a user focuses on the image link in the header, there is a yellow background added as the focus indicator. This does not comply with WCAG Level AA 2.2, 1.4.3.
We plan to fix this page by August 2024.
After a user attempts to search for a practice with no data entered, they are presented with an error message. However, this change is not audibly announced for users of screen reading assistive technologies. This does not comply with WCAG Level AA 2.2, 4.1.3.
- https://www.vmd.gov.uk/business/register/veterinary-practice/practice-name
- https://www.vmd.gov.uk/business/register/veterinary-practice/surgeonname
We plan to fix these pages by August 2024.
The text ‘1 result found’ used as the caption for the table, allows users to understand the new content added and the current state of the page. This does not comply with WCAG Level AA 2.2, 4.1.3.
We plan to fix this page by August 2024.
The table providing the search results for users has a button ‘select’ for users to choose particular practices. However, as no row headers have been used the button is only announced as ‘select’ and does not allow users of screen reading assistive technologies to easily distinguish which option they will be selecting, especially when navigating the page out of context. This does not comply with WCAG Level AA 2.2, 4.1.3.
- https://www.vmd.gov.uk/business/register/veterinary-practice/practice-name
- https://www.vmd.gov.uk/business/register/veterinary-practice/surgeonname
We plan to fix this page by August 2024.
Some users require the need to view the page in a single column format without the need to scroll in multiple directions to view and access content. This does not comply with WCAG Level AA 2.2, 1.4.10.
We plan to fix this page by August 2024.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 29 September 2020.
It was last reviewed on 27 November 2023.
vmd.defra.gov.uk websites were last tested 1-5 August 2022. The test was carried out by internal teams.
For internal testing we test pages which are completely new and don’t use existing templates and/or components. We use Sortsite to scan the pages as well as manual checks on each page or feature once it is developed.
vmd.gov.uk websites were last tested in November 2023. The test was carried out by internal teams and Digital Accessibility Centre (external).
For internal testing we test pages which are completely new and don’t use existing templates and/or components. We use aXe to scan the pages as well as manual checks on each page or feature once it is developed.