Accessibility Statement
This accessibility statement applies to the Caerlaverock Castle Quest mobile application (app) available on iOS (Apple) and Android.
This app is designed to allow visitors on site at Caerlaverock Castle to enhance their visit using Augmented Reality (AR) on their mobile device.
The application is supplied by a third party, Jam Creative Studios. The accessibility of the content of the app is the responsibility of Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
Using this app
We want as many people as possible to be able to use the Caerlaverock Castle Quest app. For example, that means you should be able to:
- access the app using different screen sizes
- navigate consistently through the app and understand the content and navigation through appropriate sequencing, labelling, structure and descriptive links
We’ve also made the text within the app as simple as possible to understand.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
How accessible the Caerlaverock Castle Quest app is
The app has been found compliant, with some exceptions, with the WCAG 2.1A and AA Guidelines.
In our testing, the app can be used without restrictions by:
- limited manipulation users
- limited reach and strength users
- non-verbal users
- users without perception of colour
However, we know some parts of this mobile application are not fully accessible:
- we do not provide captions, transcripts or text alternatives for pre-recorded audio and Augmented Reality (AR) scenes, which may impact deaf users, limited hearing users, users without vision or users with limited vision
- content restricts its view and operation to portrait orientation only
- upon being triggered, the audio content in the Augmented Reality scenes play automatically and can only be stopped by redirecting the camera away from the trigger
- there is a visual challenge that relies on the user piecing together a flag but there is no text alternative for this
A full, technical list of currently inaccessible content and areas of the app can be found in the section of this accessibility statement titled ‘Non accessible content’.
What to do if you can’t access parts of this app
If you need information on this app in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording, or braille:
- email equality@hes.scot
- call us on 0131 668 8600
We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 5 working days, or if your request is more complex, please allow us up to 20 working days for a full reply.
When contacting us please make sure you provide:
- the service area, document name and/or the name of the app the content is on
- a description of the format you need. For example, audio CD, braille, BSL or large print
Find out more about our customer services in our service standards.
Reporting accessibility problems with this app
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this app. If you find any problems that aren’t listed on this page or think we’re not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations, contact the Digital Documentation team:
- • email interpretation@hes.scot
• call 0131 668 8858
Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person
You can also visit us in person for more resources. Find us at:
Longmore House
Salisbury Place
Edinburgh
EH9 1SH
For directions, please call 0131 668 8600 or view our location on Google Maps.
Our Access Guide is also available for visitors to the historic places in our care.
Let us know about any requirements you have in advance of your visit and we will endeavour to accommodate you:
- email equality@hes.scot
- call us on 0131 668 8600
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 submit a complaint and you’re not happy with how we respond, contact the EHRC.
Technical information about this app’s accessibility
HES is committed to making this app accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Compliance status
This app is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
Non accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Noncompliance with the accessibility regulations
Augmented Reality controls and content
The Augmented Reality (AR) scenes are inaccessible to a user with visual impairment unless they are assisted due to the visual nature of the triggers. The physical marker panels are located on location around site at Caerlaverock Castle and the geolocated animations will not trigger unless a panel is physically visited.
This does not meet WCAG 2.1 A-level success criterion 1.3.3 (Sensory Characteristics).
There is also no pause button for moving content, which starts automatically after triggering, although content is able to be replayed by the user by triggering the augmented reality scene again.
This does not meet WCAG 2.1 A-level success criterion 2.2.2 (Pause, Stop, Hide).
Non-text content
The app doesn’t currently offer captions, transcripts or text descriptions of the audio or Augmented Reality (AR) scenes. Additionally, in order to complete the app, users are presented with a visual challenge but there is no text alternative to complete the exercise.
This does not meet the following WCAG 2.1 A-level success criteria:
- 1.1.1 (Non-text content: Time-Based Media and Test Content)
- 1.2.1 (Audio-only and video-only (Prerecorded))
- 1.2.2 (Captions (Prerecorded))
- 1.2.3 (Audio description or media alternative (Prerecorded))
Orientation
You can only view the app in portrait orientation. This is an intentional decision as onscreen Augmented Reality (AR) scenes are too small in landscape orientation, but it does not meet WCAG 2.1 AA-level success criterion 1.3.4 (Orientation).
Audio controls
Upon being triggered, the audio content in the Augmented Reality (AR) scenes play automatically for more than 3 seconds. There is no mechanism available to control audio volume independently from the overall system volume level and users cannot pause or stop the audio.
This does not meet WCAG 2.1 A-level success criterion 1.4.2 (Audio Control).
Text and content size
Animated content in the app is unable to be scaled up as it is an Augmented Reality (AR) delivery triggered by physical marker panels around the site. These produce a full screen animation in-device which speaks to the user.
Additionally, text size is fixed in place and cannot be resized without assistive technology.
This does not meet WCAG 2.1 AA-level success criterion 1.4.4 (Resize Text).
Disproportionate Burden
We are committed to improving the accessibility of this app. However, providing full access to the Augmented Reality (AR) scenes and overcoming the physical challenges posed by triggers for AR models environments is not possible in the current build of the app and within our budgets.
Similarly, the orientation is fixed to portrait to ensure the Augmented Reality (AR) scenes are fully visible on screen when triggered. It would require a significant rebuild to ensure the app continues to function suitably in both orientations or at a larger text or content size.
Due to these limitations, we believe that a rebuild of the app within the next year would be a disproportionate burden. We will make another assessment of this when we review this app in May 2022.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
Non-navigational online maps and mapping services
The map within the app is not AA accessible but it is not used for navigational purposes and are therefore exempt under Reg 3(2)(d).
On site signage
The physical aspects of the app - marker panels and instructional signage - are not within the scope of these accessibility regulations.
However, these are within the guidelines we work to for all our interpretation, such as RNIB See It Right, Association for Heritage Interpretation best practice guidance on colour and type, inclusive design and interpretive writing as well as internal guiding principles used to ensure our interpretive delivery is accessible.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
We plan to add captions and subtitles to the animated content by 30 April 2022, along with the facility to pause the introductory instructional animations.
We are working with Jam Creative Studios to influence their digital accessibility roadmap, and they intend to work on the apps user interface and framework to ensure compliance by April 2022.
Jam Creative Studios continue to make iterative improvements to the native apps in line with OS updates to maintain compatibility.
How we tested this app
This app was last tested on 2 June 2021. The test was carried out manually by HES and Jam Creator Studios.
Last updated
This statement was prepared on 2 June 2021. It was last updated on 21 June 2021.