Accessibility Statement
This accessibility statement applies to the mobile application (app) Climate Change Explorer on Apple (iOS) and Android.
This app is owned by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and developed by Seymour Powell. The accessibility of the content of the app is the responsibility of HES.
Using this app
We want as many people as possible to be able to use the Climate Change Explorer app and learn about how climate change is affecting our historic environment. You will be able to:
- bypass blocks of repeated content
- have enough time to read and use content
- understand the topic, purpose and structure of the app through headings and labels
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 Explore Maeshowe app is
While we work hard to make our platforms and content accessible, we know some parts of the Climate Change Explorer app aren’t fully accessible.
Here is a brief list of content that is not currently accessible:
- content restricts its view and operation to portrait orientation only
- text cannot currently be resized
- background videos loop and cannot be paused or hidden
- the app cannot be navigated or listened to using Android Talkback or Apple VoiceOver.
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
Orientation and text resizing
The app can only be viewed in portrait mode and text cannot be resized. This is because the 3D content can only meaningfully be displayed in this orientation. Additionally, the text is an overlay on a 3D environment, and so the ability to resize is not available. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 AA-level success criteria 1.3.4 (Orientation), 1.4.4 (Resize Text), or 1.4.10 Reflow.
3D Environments and models
3D environments and models are not fully accessible and cannot be navigated using Android Talkback or Apple VoiceOver as it is beyond the current capability of the technology used in this app. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 A-level success criteria 1.1.1 (Non-text content) and 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships).
Looping Background Video
The introduction scene features a large block of text sitting over a video which is 90% transparent. There are no controls or captions to the looping background video because it does not contain any important information. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 A-level success criteria 1.2 (Time Based Media).
Text Size Adjustments
It is not currently possible to modify the line height, spacing or size of text within the app because all text on the screen is inside text labels with a fixed width and height. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 A-level success criteria 1.4.4 (Resize text).
Controls and Navigation
The app can only be navigated in a linear fashion and as such there is only 1 route to access content. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 A-level success 3.2.3 (Consistent Navigation).
Assistive Technology Compatibility
The app was chosen for its ability to display 3D content; however, it does not support any of the assistive technologies on Android, iOS or Windows. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 A-level success criteria 4.1 (Compatible).
Disproportionate Burden
We are committed to improving the accessibility of this app.
However, given current technological capabilities, we believe doing so would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations.
We will make another assessment of this when we review this app in May 2022.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
There are third party plugins available that might be assist us in improving the accessibility of the app. We intend to review these and will consider integrating them in future editions of the app.
We are also looking at adding in additional areas of interest and hope to rework the user interface boxes to accommodate the ability to have resizable text.
How we tested this app
This app was last tested on 25 October 2021. The test was carried out manually by Historic Environment Scotland and in discussion with developers Seymour Powell.
Last updated
This statement was prepared on 19 October 2021. It was last reviewed on 25 October 2021.