This accessibility statement applies to My NHS Pension.
This website is run by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:
- change colours, contrast levels and fonts using browser or device settings
- zoom in up to 400% without the text spilling off the screen
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard or speech recognition software (Dragon)
- listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent version of NVDA)
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.
How accessible this website is
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible, as:
- the heading on the help and information page is hidden but also incorrect, which could confuse screen-reader users
- some buttons require users with voice-recognition software to use the mouse grid to interact with them
- skip links do not exist on several pages
- the NHS logo at the right of the screen is not visible when in mobile view and some pages will display a large empty space on the right side of the page
- the NHS logo at the right of the screen is not visible and some pages will display a large empty space on the right side of the page when zoomed in to 400%
- the website cannot be used when JavaScript is disabled
- when styles are disabled, hidden text appears at the top of the screen
- when styles are disabled, page images flow off the page and are too big for the screen
- error messages are not specific to the field in error
- error messages are not consistent and will not alert the user to an error on some screens
- users cannot navigate back to the home screen by logo or home links
- users cannot identify the service by keyboard navigation as the NHS and service name logos are not focusable
- some elements that look like buttons are links, which could confuse voice-recognition users
- some menu images do not include alternative text and associated pop ups are not explained to the user
- users are not informed when they have logged out of the service
- users are not able to access some elements directly by using action and the element name, for example, “click Start”
- some pages have duplicated page titles making it difficult for users to know which page they are on
- on the Earnings history page, the table headers spill into the fields when in mobile view
- on the Earnings history page, the table headers spill into the fields when zoomed in to 400%
How to request content in an accessible format
If you need information on this website in a different format such as accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, you can contact us by:
Email: accessibility@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.
This email address is only for accessibility queries. It is not for technical queries or IT problems. If you have a query that is not about accessibility, go to the ‘Contact us’ section of this page.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that are not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, you can contact us by:
Email: accessibility@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
This email address is only for accessibility queries. It is not for technical queries or IT problems. If you have a query that is not about accessibility, go to the ‘Contact us’ section of this page.
Contact us
For all queries not accessibility related, you can contact us by:
Email: nhsbsa.mynhspension@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
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 information about this website’s accessibility
The NHSBSA 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
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
The NHS logo at the right of the screen is not visible when in mobile view and some pages will display a large empty space on the right side of the page. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.4.10 (Reflow) and 1.3.4 (Orientation).
The NHS logo at the right of the screen is not visible and some pages will display a large empty space on the right side of the page when zoomed in to 400%. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.4.10 (Reflow) and 1.3.4 (Orientation).
Users cannot navigate back to the home screen by logo or home links. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 3.2.3 (Consistent Navigation).
Users cannot identify the service by keyboard navigation as the NHS and service name logos are not focusable. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.7 (Focus Visible).
Some elements that look like buttons are links, which could confuse voice-recognition users. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value).
We plan to fix these issues. When we publish new content, we’ll make sure it meets accessibility standards.
Disproportionate burden
Navigating and accessing information
Some buttons require voice-recognition users to use the mouse grid to interact with them. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value).
Skip links do not exist on several pages. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks).
Error checking and notification
Error messages are not specific to the field in error. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 3.3.1 (Error Identification).
Error messages are not consistent and will not alert the user to an error on some screens. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 3.3.1 (Error Identification).
Mobile and zoomed view modes
On the Earnings history page, the table headers spill into the fields when in mobile view. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.3.4 (Orientation).
On the Earnings history page, the table headers spill into the fields when zoomed in to 400%. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.3.4 (Orientation).
Reflow and robustness
When styles are disabled, hidden text appears at the top of the screen. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.3.2 (Meaningful Sequence).
When styles are disabled, page images flow off the page and are too big for the screen. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.3.2 (Meaningful Sequence) & 1.4.10 (Reflow).
Page titles
Some pages have duplicated page titles making it difficult for users to know which page they are on. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.2 (Page Titled).
Screen reader
Some menu images do not include alternative text and associated pop ups are not explained to the user. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.1.1 (None text content).
Voice Control
Users are not able to access some elements directly by using action and the element name. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 4.1 (Compatible).
Timeouts
Users are not informed when they have logged out. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 4.1.3 (Status Messages).
We’ve assessed the cost of fixing these issues. We believe that doing so now would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations. This disproportionate burden assessment will be reviewed regularly.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
JavaScript
JavaScript is required to access the My NHS Pensions services.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
We’re committed to making sure this website is compliant to WCAG 2.2 ‘AA’ standard.
Our accessibility compliance statement will be reviewed regularly. Every newly released website will be designed, built, and tested to meet ‘AA’ standards by default.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was originally prepared on 29 March 2023 It was last reviewed on 23 July 2024.
This website was last tested on 12 July 2024 against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.
The test was carried out by the NHSBSA test and development teams. The most viewed pages were tested using automated testing tools by our website team. A further audit of the website was carried out to the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.
We tested all the website screens to meet ‘AA’ WCAG 2.2 standards, using manual and automated tests.
We run each webpage through automated Wave, Lighthouse and Axe accessibility tools then manually test with screen readers (NVDA or VoiceOver) and standards checklists.
We run representative user journey tests through speech recognition software (Dragon or Voice Control).
These checklists contain standards that have been compiled using WCAG, the NHS service manual and the Government Digital Service (GDS) guidance.