{"id":8945,"date":"2022-06-28T11:20:17","date_gmt":"2022-06-28T10:20:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestpractice.bmj.com\/info\/?page_id=8945"},"modified":"2026-01-30T17:06:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T16:06:33","slug":"accessibility","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bestpractice.bmj.com\/info\/accessibility\/","title":{"rendered":"Accessibility"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>BMJ Best Practice: Accessibility<\/h2><br \/>\r\n<b>This accessibility statement applies to content published by BMJ Best Practice and accessed via the website bestpractice.bmj.com. This statement does <\/b><b>not<\/b><b> currently cover the BMJ Best Practice mobile app.<\/b><br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As part of BMJ\u2019s vision of a healthier world, we want to make evidence-based resources available to as many people as possible.\u00a0 Each year we support more than 50 million users from over 150 countries to access our websites and products.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A key part of achieving our vision is to ensure our content is accessible to everyone, both through innovative technical solutions and through jargon-free, practical and customisable evidence-based content.<\/span><br \/>\r\n<h3>Our accessibility objective<\/h3><br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The BMJ Best Practice website and mobile app have been designed, built and run by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (\u2018<\/span><b>BMJ<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019). <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our objective is to promote equality of access to users and we do this by endeavouring to be compliant with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/WCAG\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG version 2.2) Levels A or AA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, wherever viable.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\r\n<h3>How accessible is the BMJ Best Practice website currently?<\/h3><br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are always working to improve the accessibility of BMJ Best Practice. \u00a0 You should be able to:\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\r\n<ul><br \/>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clearly read all text\u00a0<\/span><\/li><br \/>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">zoom in up to 300% without problems<\/span><\/li><br \/>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">navigate most of the website using just a keyboard<\/span><\/li><br \/>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">navigate most of the website using speech recognition software<\/span><\/li><br \/>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">use most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)<\/span><\/li><br \/>\r\n<\/ul><br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, we know that we still have some areas which could be improved. \u00a0 In particular, the following areas have been identified\u00a0 as requiring further work:<\/span><br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some content and functionality available on BMJ Best Practice which has been provided by third-parties:<\/span><br \/>\r\n<ul><br \/>\r\n \t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">may not support screen-reader users or users of keyboard-only or voice command navigation<\/span><\/li><br \/>\r\n \t<li>may not support focus highlighting features; and<\/li><br \/>\r\n \t<li>may include links which are hidden or which may not act as expected.<\/li><br \/>\r\n<\/ul><br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The affected areas include:<\/span><br \/>\r\n<ul><br \/>\r\n \t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the calculators; and<\/span><\/li><br \/>\r\n \t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the \u2018My Account\u2019 page.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><\/li><br \/>\r\n<\/ul><br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users may have difficulty understanding BMJ\u2019s accessibility features as no guidance or instructions are available.<\/span><br \/>\r\n<h3>What we\u2019re doing to improve accessibility<\/h3><br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this time <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">we are not planning to fix the issues identified with content and\/or functionality which has been supplied by a third party.\u00a0 These include the calculators, and the \u2018My Account\u2019 page, which have both been built and are hosted through third party software.\u00a0 Even though these elements have been \u2018skinned\u2019 to look like BMJ\u2019s website, they are not controlled or maintained by BMJ.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whilst we would ideally like to fix these issues, we\u2019ve assessed the current cost of doing so to be disproportionate to the overall benefit which would be achieved. However, we will continue to periodically reassess this position.<\/span><br \/>\r\n<h3>Monitoring how we\u2019re doing<\/h3><br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We continue to regularly test the BMJ Best Practice website both internally and externally to ensure that the website (and any new features which we may introduce from time to time) meet our accessibility and compliance objectives.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The BMJ Best Practice website was last tested by an independent auditor on <\/span><b>30 April 2024<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalaccessibilitycentre.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAC (Digital Accessibility Centre)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bestpractice.bmj.com\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/DAC-VPAT-WCAG-2.2-for-BMJ-Best-Practice-Accessibility-Conformance-Report-v1.0-Final-December-2024.pdf\">You can read the full accessibility test (VPAT) report here<\/a>.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We plan to conduct another similar audit annually to ensure that our progress remains on track.<\/span><br \/>\r\n<h3>The BMJ Best Practice mobile app<\/h3><br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We know that the BMJ Best Practice mobile app is not currently fully accessible.\u00a0 We are reviewing existing standards and aim to publish details of the areas where we think there is scope for improvement in the future.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\r\n<h3>What to do if you cannot access parts of the BMJ Best Practice website<\/h3><br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re always looking to improve the accessibility of the BMJ Best Practice website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think here\u2019s more that we could be doing to make the accessibility of BMJ Best Practice better, please contact:<\/span><br \/>\r\n<ul><br \/>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">email support@bmj.com<\/span><\/li><br \/>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">call +44 (0) 207 111 1105; or<\/span><\/li><br \/>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">write to BMJ Publishing Group Limited, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JP<\/span><\/li><br \/>\r\n<\/ul><br \/>\r\n<h3>Preparation of this accessibility statement<\/h3><br \/>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This statement was prepared on <strong>5 December 2024.<\/strong><\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BMJ Best Practice: Accessibility This accessibility statement applies to content published by BMJ Best Practice and accessed via the website bestpractice.bmj.com. This statement does not currently cover the BMJ Best Practice mobile app. As part of BMJ\u2019s vision of a healthier world, we want to make evidence-based resources available to as many people as possible.\u00a0 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"marketing_new.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8945","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"components":[{"choose_component":"marketingImage","hide":"","logged_in":"","logged_out":"","grey_background":[],"background_color":"","background_image":null,"title_text_color":"","title":"Accessibility","text":"","image":null,"qr_image":null,"circular_image":null,"button_text":"","button_url":"","button2_text":"","button2_url":"","video_embed":"","quote":"","quote_author":"","author_job_title":"","feature_iconsimages":null,"bullets":"none","bullet_text":null,"expiration_date":null,"review_type":"normal","reviews":null,"feature_image_cards":null,"feature_icon_cards":null,"podcast_date":null,"podcast_title":"","podcast_text":"","podcast_embed_script":"","campaign_advert_link":"","monthly":{"show_monthly_tab":false,"strikethrough_price":"","price_text":"","per_month_text":"","vat_text":"","subscribe_button_text":"","subscribe_button_link":""},"annual":{"show_annual_tab":false,"packages":null,"default_price":"","default_strikethrough_price":"","default_per_year_text":"","vat_text":"","subscribe_button_text":"","subscribe_button_link":""},"advisory_panel":null,"article_list_fields":null,"subscription_tab_main_heading":"","subscription_tabs":null,"accordion_for_page":null,"embed_code":""},{"choose_component":"generic","hide":"","logged_in":"","logged_out":"","grey_background":"","background_color":"","background_image":null,"title_text_color":"","title":"","text":"<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This accessibility statement applies to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMJ Best Practice<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> website, located at <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.product.bmj.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.bestpractice.bmj.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a comprehensive overview of our company-wide commitment, our accessibility roadmap, and our testing methodologies, please refer to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bmjgroup.com\/legal-information\/accessibility\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMJ Group\u2019s accessibility statement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<h2><strong>How accessible is BMJ Best Practice?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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:\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Distinguish all text from its background due to sufficient contrast<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoom in up to 400% without content spilling off the screen<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Navigate most of the website using just a keyboard<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Navigate most of the website using speech recognition software<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, we are aware that parts of the website may not yet fully conform to all aspects of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG 2.1 Level AA. We are working to address these areas for improvement:<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some content and functionality available on BMJ Best Practice which has been provided by third-parties:<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May not support screen-reader users or users of keyboard-only or voice command navigation<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May not support focus highlighting features<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\">\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May include links which are hidden or which may not act as expected<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The affected areas include the calculators.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users may have difficulty understanding BMJ Best Practice\u2019s accessibility features as no guidance or instructions are available<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<h2><b>Our commitment and progress for <\/b><b>BMJ Best Practice<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We commissioned an independent audit for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMJ Best Practice<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> conducted by <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAC (Digital Accessibility Centre) and completed on 7 May 2025. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This audit provided a detailed assessment of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMJ Best Practice\u2019s<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> alignment with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/WCAG\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 AA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> standard, identifying specific areas for improvement and enhancement.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our commitment is to drive continuous progress towards full WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMJ Best Practice <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">based on their expert advice. This product\u2019s remediation efforts are integrated into BMJ Group\u2019s broader accessibility roadmap (please refer to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bmjgroup.com\/legal-information\/accessibility\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMJ Group\u2019s accessibility statement<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for further information),<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which includes systematic audits, remediation, incorporating accessibility best practices into all new development, and continuous improvement overseen by an internal Accessibility Working Group.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<h2><b>Specific accessibility challenges<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<h3><b>Third-party integrations<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMJ Best Practice incorporates content or functionalities from third-party providers such as:<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Embedded video players<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Links to external resources such as the EBMcalc website for calculators<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<h3><b>Older content<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<h2><b>Our company-wide commitment<\/b><b>\r\n<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bmjgroup.com\/legal-information\/accessibility\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMJ Group\u2019s accessibility statement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<h2><b>Feedback and support<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your feedback is crucial to our ongoing efforts to improve BMJ Best Practice\u2019s 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.<\/span><b><\/b><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><b>Email:<\/b> <a href=\"mailto:accessibility@bmj.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">accessibility@bmj.com<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><b>Call:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> +44 (020) 7387 4410<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><b>Write to:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> BMJ Publishing Group Limited, 5th Floor, 90 Whitfield Street, London, W1T 4EZ.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This statement was last updated: October 2025<\/span><\/h3>","image":null,"qr_image":null,"circular_image":null,"button_text":"","button_url":"","button2_text":"","button2_url":"","video_embed":"","quote":"","quote_author":"","author_job_title":"","feature_iconsimages":null,"bullets":"none","bullet_text":null,"expiration_date":null,"review_type":"normal","reviews":null,"feature_image_cards":null,"feature_icon_cards":null,"podcast_date":null,"podcast_title":"","podcast_text":"","podcast_embed_script":"","campaign_advert_link":"","monthly":{"show_monthly_tab":false,"strikethrough_price":"","price_text":"","per_month_text":"","vat_text":"","subscribe_button_text":"","subscribe_button_link":""},"annual":{"show_annual_tab":false,"packages":null,"default_price":"","default_strikethrough_price":"","default_per_year_text":"","vat_text":"","subscribe_button_text":"","subscribe_button_link":""},"advisory_panel":null,"article_list_fields":null,"subscription_tab_main_heading":"","subscription_tabs":null,"accordion_for_page":null,"embed_code":""}],"sticky_cta_text":"","sticky_cta_link":"","display_content_search":false,"seo_schema":""},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestpractice.bmj.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8945","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestpractice.bmj.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestpractice.bmj.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestpractice.bmj.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestpractice.bmj.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8945"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bestpractice.bmj.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8945\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestpractice.bmj.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}