COVID Status: Accessibility statement

This accessibility statement relates to the NHS Scotland COVID Status mobile application (app) and explains how accessible this app is, what to do if you have difficulty using it, and how to report accessibility problems.

This app is run by NHS Scotland.

Using the app

You can use the NHS Scotland COVID Status app to show your coronavirus vaccination records when travelling abroad aged 16 and over.

We want as many people as possible to be able to use this app. This means you can use the built-in accessibility features on your device to:

• invert colours and adjust contrast levels
• increase the text size without the text truncating or overlapping
• navigate the app using Switch Access (Android) or Switch Control (iOS)
• get around the app using Voice Access (Android) or Voice Control (iOS)
• listen to the app using TalkBack (Android) or VoiceOver (iOS)

We have also made the text in the app as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

More about accessibility features on Android and iOS devices.

How accessible this app is

We have identified some accessibility issues within the app and are actively addressing these.

Known issues include:

• some buttons, links and images are not set up correctly for screen readers, for example a link to an external website has a visual indicator but nothing to indicate to a screen reader that you are leaving the app
• some words are mispronounced by screen readers, for example CHI is pronounced as 'chee'
• some issues with how information is focused on, for example when focus becomes trapped on the carousel image you cannot swipe to navigate to the previous or next screens
• some gesture controls are not consistent or intuitive, for example dragging your finger over the logo on the home page does not result in it reading back
• some clickable areas and interactive elements are too narrow and may be problematic for people with limited dexterity, for example clickable areas for dropdowns are too narrow and should be extended for ease of use
• some alignment and font inconsistencies which may affect readability, for example text is centre-aligned on the CHI question but left-aligned on other screens
• camera controls are not set up for ease of use or completion
• some visual feedback is not accompanied by audio feedback, for example when verification is being processed there are visual cues but nothing audible to suggest something is happening
• some error messages are not announced or focused on, for example the surname field has a visual error message but nothing that explains that draws attention to or explains the error

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’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical accessibility information

NHS Scotland is committed to making this app accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

This app is not compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard.

An accessibility review was carried out on the app in September 2021. A more detailed accessibility audit will be completed in due course.