Accessibility Statement
This accessibility statement applies to the mobile application (app) Digital Documentation on Apple (iOS) and Android.
This app is developed by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) as an accompaniment to a PDF document, Short Guide on Digital Documentation.
Using this app
We want as many people as possible to be able to use the app and engage with Augmented Reality (AR) to explore the 3D models of Rosslyn Chapel and the Nagasaki Giant Cantilever Crane. You will be able to:
- access the app using different screen sizes, enlarge and read text in a neutral contrast format
- have enough time to read and use content
- navigate most of the app using the Android Talkback or Apple VoiceOver
- listen to all text within the app using Android Talkback or Apple VoiceOver
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 Digital Documentation app is
While we work hard to make our platforms and content accessible, we know some parts of the Digital Documentation app aren’t fully accessible.
Here is a brief list of content that is not currently accessible:
- we do not provide transcripts or text alternatives for Augmented Reality (AR) models, which may impact users without vision or users with limited vision
- some instructions provided on the app or ways to navigate or control the app may rely solely on characteristics such as shape, colour, size, visual location, orientation, or sound
- some text, images and links may not have a strong enough colour contrast, causing difficulties if you have a visual impairment
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 digital.documentation@hes.scot
- call us on 01786 234800
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 content
The Augmented Reality (AR) models are inaccessible to a user with a visual impairment unless they are assisted due to the nature of the triggers. The physical marker panels are located within the Short Guide on Digital Documentation PDF document and the AR will not trigger unless the document is physically scanned by a device. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 A-level success criterion 1.3.3 (Sensory Characteristics).
The app also doesn’t currently offer transcripts or text descriptions of the Augmented Reality (AR) models. This does not meet the following WCAG 2.1 A-level success criterion1.2.3 (Audio description or media alternative (Prerecorded)).
Other non-text content
Where non-text content is pure decoration and used for visual formatting, it is not implemented in a way that can be ignored by assistive technology.
This does not meet WCAG 2.1 A-level success criteria 1.1.1 (Non-text content: Controls and Sensory).
Distinguishable content, sensory characteristics and colour contrast
Some instructions provided on the app may rely solely on sensory characteristic components such as shape, colour, size, visual location, orientation, or sound. Some users may be unable to engage with, navigate, and access this content. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 A-level success criteria 1.3.3 (Sensory characteristics) and 1.4.1 (Use of colour).
Some information and items (like links) on the app are only distinguishable by colour. This means users might not be able to see or recognise the information and/or function of the item. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 A-level success criteria 1.4.1 (Use of colour).
Some text, images and links may not be customisable and colour contrasts may not be high enough, causing difficulties if you have a visual impairment. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 A-level success criteria 1.4.6 (Distinguishable: Contrast (enhanced)) and 2.4.4 (Link purpose (in Context)).
The colour contrast of large-scale text, images of text, and graphical objects on the app may not be high enough to display content clearly (except for logos which are a contrast exception). This does not meet WCAG 2.1 AA-level success criterion 1.4.3 (Contrast minimum) and 1.4.11 (Non-text contrast: graphical objects).
Disproportionate Burden
We are committed to improving the accessibility of this app and we have recently undertaken a significant rebuild of the app to tackle accessibility issues.
However, providing full access to the Augmented Reality (AR) models and overcoming the physical challenges posed by triggers for AR models environments was not possible in the current build of the app or within our budgets.
Due to this, we believe a similar piece of work in the next year would be a disproportionate burden. We will make another assessment of this when we review this app in May 2022.
How we tested this app
This app was last tested on 1 June 2021. The test was carried out manually by HES and developers Grizzle and Tan.
Last updated
This statement was prepared on 1 June 2021. It was last reviewed on 21 June 2021.