Accessibility
This website is run by the General Medical Council. 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
- zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
- navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
- listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver).
We’ve also made the website text simple to understand.
We have target readability scores of age 12–13 for content aimed at patients and the public. And for professional facing content, a reading age of 14–15. We use Hemingway to check these readability scores.
How accessible is this website?
As part of our commitment to accessibility, we asked the Shaw Trust Accessibility Services to carry out an assessment of our site. They found the following issues as part of the 2024 report.
- Ambiguous button labelling
- Ambiguous form fields
- Automatic caption accuracy
- Duplicate IDs
- Element markup
- Empty button
- Empty links
- Form error handling
- HTML markup errors
- Inaccessible non-HTML documents
- Incorrect heading structure
- Incorrect table coding
- Insufficient colour contrast
- Malformed lists
- Missing ARIA reference
- Missing notification of mandatory form fields
- Mouse dependant areas
- Non-descriptive alt text
- Non-descriptive link text
- Obscured text
- Unlabelled form fields
- Untitled frames
- Video and audio missing text alternatives
- Video missing audio description
- Visible label and accessible name inconsistency
We have worked to resolve the issues identified, but there may still be areas of the website affected by the accessibility issues listed above.
What to do if you can’t access parts of this website
If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:
- email gmc@gmc-uk.org
- call 0161 923 6602
In your message, include:
- the web address (URL) of the content
- your email address and name
- the format you need.
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, email webmaster@gmc-uk.org or call 0161 923 6602.
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).
Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person
We provide a text relay service for people who are D/deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment.
Our offices have audio induction loops, or if you contact us before your visit we can arrange a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
We're committed to making this website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
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.
Navigation and accessing information
It’s not always possible to change the device orientation from horizontal to vertical without making it more difficult to view the content. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.3.4 (orientation).
It’s not always possible for users to change text size without some of the content overlapping. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.4 (resize text).
Some pages are mouse dependant and do not allow full navigation using a keyboard. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.1.1 (keyboard) and 1.4.13 (content on hover or focus).
Links
A small number of links don’t have enough space around them, making them harder to click. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.5.8 (target size).
Large guides
The menu on large guides blocks related content and some links in the footer when using keyboard focus. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.11 (focus not obscured).
PDFs and other documents
Many older PDFs and other documents on our website are not fully accessible. Issues include missing text alternatives and document structures, making them difficult for some users to navigate. This fails the following WCAG 2.2 success criterion:
- 1.1.1 (non-text content)
- 1.3.1 (info and Relationships)
- 1.3.2 (meaningful sequence)
- 2.4.2 (page titled)
- 3.1.1 (language of page)
If you need an accessible version of an older document, please email webmaster@gmc-uk.org with the document filename and a link to the page where you found it.
Additionally, PDFs automatically generated from our registers and concerns form are not fully accessible and they fail the above WCAG 2.2 criteria. We recommend using the live web content, which is accessible, instead of the generated PDFs.
Interactive tools
Some of our forms are difficult to navigate using a keyboard. For example, because some form controls are missing a 'label' tag.
We’ve assessed the cost of fixing the issues with navigation and accessing information, and with interactive tools and transactions. We believe that doing so now would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations. We will make another assessment when the supplier contract is up for renewal.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
Our secure file transfer form, GMC Online, and other logged in experiences are not within the scope of this accessibility statement.
How we tested this website
This website was tested by the Shaw Trust in June 2024. We also use Siteimprove to highlight accessibility issues we can fix on an ongoing basis.
Other GMC websites
Technical information about accessibility of other websites that belong to the General Medical Council
We're committed to making these websites accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
The following websites are partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard.
GMC Assessment Pilot Days website
We tested the GMC Assessment Pilot Days website using accessibility principles outlined in government guidance and the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation tool.
If you have difficulty using the GMC Assessment Pilot Days website, you can email adt.events@gmc-uk.org and we’ll book a session for you.
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Appropriate use of headings
Only H1 titling is used correctly with sub sections using bold headers in order to separate content. Meaning headings are not styled correctly for accessibility purposes.
Instructions styled incorrectly
We have instructions that rely on visual descriptions. Users who cannot see the page will not know what we’re referring to. Example: ‘Please see the list of events we have open for registration below.’
Images without alternative text
Some of the images included on the page do not have any have an accompanying text description. Having appropriate alternative (or ‘alt) text helps to explain the information the image conveys.
Navigation and accessing information
Some tables are being used in a presentational role but are not labelled.
The agenda table is unresponsive on mobile devices, some users may find it difficult to access the information with the text and table not resizing to suit the screen size.
The ‘book a place’ links are not distinguishable from each other, making navigation difficult.
The image lightbox may trap navigation when browsing the gallery, with no clear way to exit.
Search and other forms of navigation
Content is presented through a single navigation method. This can make it hard for users to understand the different parts of the page. Alternative navigation methods, such as a search function or site map, are not available.
GMC Wordpress blog
We tested the GMC Wordpress blog using accessibility principles outlined in government guidance and the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation tool.
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Appropriate use of headings
There are no H1 titles used on the page. News sections use H2 to separate content. Meaning headings are not styled correctly for accessibility purposes.
Colour contrast
There are cases of low contrast colours on the page which some users with visual impairments may find difficult to read.
Images without alternative text
Some of the images included on the page do not have any have an accompanying text description. Having appropriate alternative (or ‘alt) text helps to explain the information the image conveys.
Navigation and accessing information
When using a keyboard to navigate the content on the page, there’s no way for users to orientate themselves and understand which page element they’re focusing on.
GMC data explorer
As part of our commitment to accessibility, we asked the Shaw Trust Accessibility Services to carry out an assessment of GMC data explorer. They found the following issues as part of the 2024 report:
- Incorrect Heading Structure
- Ambiguous Form Fields
- Non-Descriptive Alt Text
- Non-Descriptive Link Text
- Mouse Dependant Areas
- Illogical Tab Order
- Users unaware of content change
- Element Markup
- Untitled Frames
- Inaccessible Non-HTML Documents
- Obscured Text
We have worked to resolve the issues identified, but there may still be areas of the website affected by the accessibility issues listed above.
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Navigation and accessing information
It’s not always possible for users to change text size without some of the content overlapping. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.4 (resize text).
Power BI components
Power BI components require users to press Ctrl+Enter to access them. This does not work with all assistive technologies, which means the components are not fully keyboard accessible for all users. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 2.1.1 (keyboard) and 1.4.13 (content on hover or focus).
Some form fields within Power BI components, such as radio buttons and drop-down items, do not contain descriptive labels. This can make it hard for users to understand that these items are related. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria:
- 1.1.1 (non-text content)
- 1.3.1 (info and relationships)
- 1.3.5 (identify input purpose)
- 3.3.2 (labels or instructions)
- 4.1.2 (name, role, value)
Dynamic maps in Power BI components do not inform screen readers that drop-downs and checkboxes change the map content. This can make it difficult for users to know when content on the page has changed. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 3.2.2 (on input) and 4.1.3 (status messages).
Iframes that house Power BI components do not have titles. This can make it difficult for screen readers to understand what content the iframe contains. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.3.1 (info and relationships) and 2.4.1 (bypass blocks).
Education data tool
Our next Shaw Trust review will include an accessibility review of our education data tool.
We build our website aiming to give the best experience to all of our users. But we recognise that it is impossible to make our website work efficiently, effectively and be identical on all web browsers.
To make sure our website and its features work and display correctly we recommend updating your browser to the latest version.
Our website is verified as working with the following browsers.
| OS | Browser |
|---|---|
| Windows | Google Chrome – latest version |
| Microsoft Edge – latest version | |
| Mozilla Firefox – latest version | |
| Mac | Safari – latest version |
| Google Chrome – latest version | |
| iOS | Safari – latest version |
| Google Chrome – latest version | |
| Android | Samsung Internet – latest version |
| Google Chrome – latest version |
Visit the links below to download the latest version of your preferred browser.
You may not have permissions to download a new browser. In this case we suggest using a different device, such as your personal phone or home computer.
Internet Explorer and Edge
Microsoft Internet Explorer is an out of date web browser. If your version of Windows supports it, you may want to switch to Microsoft’s new browser: Edge
Tablet and mobile
This site supports browsing on mobile and tablet devices, where content is displayed based on the screen resolution and other attributes of your device. The content is specifically formatted for these devices and their unique attributes, so it will appear visually different across different devices. The written information and instructions presented will not differ.
