Accessibility Statement

Accessibility Statement for MI5

This accessibility statement applies to the website: https://www.mi5.gov.uk.

We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. We try to make 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 yet fully accessible:

Some form inputs do not have associated labels within the HTML
Images with embedded text are present on some pages, but all contain alt text descriptions
Buttons and form fields do not always have accessible names
Some PDFs created since September 2018 and most older PDFs are not accessible to screen reader software

We are actively working to address these issues as part of an ongoing programme to improve the accessibility of this website.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please complete this accessibility contact form.

We’ll consider your request and will provide an initial response within 10 working days.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please complete this accessibility contact form.

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

MI5 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 2.1 AA standard.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Accessible names are not provided or incorrectly given to most non-text content such as decorative images, form input fields and buttons (1.1.1 Non-text Content)

Aria is used for labelling of some page controls, but the elements are not properly associated. Resulting in no name being announced when operating the site with a screen reader (4.1.2 Name, Role Value)

Alternative descriptions have been added to all images. Some of the images may be considered decorative, but still have an alternative description added. MI5 are in the process of updating these throughout the site (1.1.1 Non-Text Content)

Users of speech recognition tools are unable to interact with quiz controls within the Investigative challenge and SSQ quizzes, and interactive elements on the Intelligence Development Programme’ page (4.1.2 Name, Role Value). This occurs on the following pages:

Users are unable to reach all parts of the site using a keyboard only, this includes the interactive video element on the following page (2.1.1 Keyboard)

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/administrative-officers

The site cookie notice is last within the focus order when navigating this site with a keyboard only (2.1.1 Keyboard)

When the zoom level of a browser is 400% on certain screens and resolutions, users interacting with the global search in the site header may find ‘Close Search’ button partially cut off (1.4.10 Reflow)

The Investigative Challenge quiz contains a time limit which cannot be extended or turned off (2.2.1 Timing Adjustable)

We are committed to improving the accessibility standards of our site and what we do in the organisation. Further improvements are planned every 6-12 months, in line with other periodic updates to ensure we help end users navigate and use the MI5 website.

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

PDFs and other documents.

Some of our PDFs and Word documents are essential to providing our services. We are in the process of improving the accessibility of these or replacing these with HTML where possible.

The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services.

Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

Video & Audio content

Pre-recorded video present on the site is not identified as a media alternative and is missing captions. This is a failure of WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.2.2 Captions (Pre-Recorded); however, this is exempt as it has been created prior to September 2020. All future video will be clearly marked-up if a media alternative or will have captions provided.

We are working to add captions on some of our most popular older videos.

Audio descriptions are not provided with pre-recorded video. This is a failure of WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Pre- Recorded) and 1.2.5 Audio Description (Pre-Recorded); however, this is exempt as it has been created prior to September 2020. All future video will be provided with an audio description.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 13/10/2020. It was last reviewed on 13/07/2023. This website was last tested on 05/08/2021. The test was carried out by Zoonou. We used this approach to decide on a sample of pages to test WCAG-EM.

Latest Accessibility updates

This statement was last updated on 17/07/2023.

In June 2023, we made further accessibility improvements on the home page, contact, contact form, accessibility statement, news and speeches and the people and organisation pages.

The next major release update will take place in January 2024, as we are currently upgrading the website to further help visitors. All updates are under a continuous programme of work linked in the organisation's plans to improve digital experiences and standards.