This accessibility statement applies to the BMJ Best Practice website, located at www.bestpractice.bmj.com. This statement does not currently cover the BMJ Best Practice mobile app and we aim to publish information relevant to the mobile app separately in the future.
For a comprehensive overview of our company-wide commitment, our accessibility roadmap, and our testing methodologies, please refer to BMJ Group’s accessibility statement.
How accessible is BMJ Best Practice?
We aim to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standard to ensure all users have a positive experience. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website and generally, you should be able to:
Distinguish all text from its background due to sufficient contrast
Zoom in up to 400% without content spilling off the screen
Navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
Navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
Use most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)
However, we are aware that parts of the website may not yet fully conform to all aspects of WCAG 2.1 Level AA. We are working to address these areas for improvement:
Some content and functionality available on BMJ Best Practice which has been provided by third-parties:
May not support screen-reader users or users of keyboard-only or voice command navigation
May not support focus highlighting features
May include links which are hidden or which may not act as expected
The affected areas include the calculators.
Users may have difficulty understanding BMJ Best Practice’s accessibility features as no guidance or instructions are available
We have implemented an accessibility training plan so our staff can design and develop content, pages and experiences that meet the needs of all our users.
Our commitment and progress for BMJ Best Practice
We commissioned an independent audit for BMJ Best Practice conducted by DAC (Digital Accessibility Centre) and completed on 7 May 2025. This audit provided a detailed assessment of BMJ Best Practice’s alignment with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 AA standard, identifying specific areas for improvement and enhancement.
We have identified that a majority of the current accessibility barriers are concentrated on the existing BMJ Best Practice homepage and legacy platform. To address this systemically, we are actively rebuilding the homepage on a new, modern platform that incorporates accessibility by design from the outset. Our long-term plan is to migrate the entire BMJ Best Practice website onto this new, accessible platform to ensure continuous progress toward WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance across all areas.
Our commitment is to drive continuous progress towards full WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance for BMJ Best Practice based on their expert advice. This product’s remediation efforts are integrated into BMJ Group’s broader accessibility roadmap (please refer to BMJ Group’s accessibility statement for further information), which includes systematic audits, remediation, incorporating accessibility best practices into all new development, and continuous improvement overseen by an internal Accessibility Working Group.
Specific accessibility challenges
Third-party integrations
BMJ Best Practice incorporates content or functionalities from third-party providers such as:
Embedded video players
Links to external resources such as the EBMcalc website for calculators
We acknowledge that we do not have direct control over their accessibility standards. We are working with our third-party providers to explore avenues for enhancing the accessibility of these integrated services. This includes discussions on potential improvements, advocating for WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance, and, where necessary, evaluating alternative suppliers who demonstrate a stronger commitment to accessibility standards.
Older content
In some cases, particularly with older content or legacy features within BMJ Best Practice that predate current accessibility standards, achieving full conformance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA may present significant challenges. We are evaluating these instances to find practical solutions for older content where feasible, prioritising user impact and technical viability.
Our company-wide commitment
At BMJ Group, we are committed to digital accessibility, striving for a healthier, more inclusive world by ensuring our resources are available to everyone. For a comprehensive overview of our company-wide commitment, our accessibility roadmap, and our testing methodologies, please refer to BMJ Group’s accessibility statement.
Feedback and support
Your feedback is crucial to our ongoing efforts to improve BMJ Best Practice’s accessibility. If you encounter any barriers accessing content or have suggestions for how we can further enhance the accessibility of this website, please contact our dedicated support team. While we strive to resolve issues promptly, we appreciate your patience as we work through our comprehensive accessibility roadmap.
