Accessibility Statement for Greater London Historic Environment Record (GLHER)

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:

• maps may be difficult to navigate with a keyboard alone and hard to read for users with a visual impairment so we have provided a textual alternative if needed
• using forms, e.g. for searching across the data, does not support the use of screen readers and may be hard to use with keyboard alone
• there are some visualisation aids for presentation of data which are not operable with asistive technology, such as screen readers

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:

• email [email protected]
• call 0370 333 0607
• Between: 09:00 - 17:00 Monday to Friday

We’ll consider your request and get back to you in five 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, contact customer services on [email protected], who will pass your request on to the appropriate team.

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.

Find out how to contact us.

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Historic England 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, due to the non-compliance and exemptions listed below.

Non accessible content

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

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

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

The website fails the following Level A criteria:

• 1.1.1 - Non-Text Content
  • Some buttons lack a label 
  • Image of maps for active consultation should be alt=""
  • Focus not visible on 'Back to top' link even though it's not visible on the page
• 1.3.1 – Info and Relationships: Logical structures
  • Sidebar navigation, screen reader is not aware when it enters or leaves a list within the navigation
  • A form is missing it's label on the Geospatial Coordinates drop-down
  • When using some forms, it may not be clear to screen readers whether the field is editable or not
  • The labels for many drop-down menus are not read out by screen readers
  • Every item in 'Find Resource' search drop-down and list nodes below are read as 'blank' by the screen reader
  • Screen reader do not read out when certain fields are mandatory
  • The function of a data table, dynamically filled in by a map search, is not clear until populated via tools within the map
  • Incorrect number of results read out under 'Related Application Area'
  • Some dates read out as 'blank' by screen reader 
  • 'Show Steps Information' slide button does not have an associated ARIA label
  • 2 empty table headers present
• 1.4.1 - Use of Colour
  • Banners for consultations change colour, however there is no explanation on the page for this change  
• 1.4.10 - Reflow
  • When using the site at 400% zoom there may be occasions where information will not be correctly presented
• 1.4.12 - Text Spacing
  • Text spacing cannot be overridden in browser settings 
  • Only text spacing of page title can be overridden in browser settings
• 1.4.13 - Content on hover or focus
  • Keyboard navigtaion on the collapsed sidebar does not bring up sub navigation options which are available to mouse
• 1.4.3 - Contrast (minimum)
  • There may be occasions where contrast level is insuffient
• 1.4.4 - Resize text
  • Column headings become dissociated from their respective columns at 200%
• 2.1.1 - Keyboard
  • Some functionality may not be optimised or accessible for keyboard use
    • using the advanced data visualisation tools
    • when using the quick search with keyboard alone you will be unable to select any auto suggested options 
  • Redundant keyboard focus on some form controls/text
• 2.4.2 - Page Titled
  • Page title does not always accurately convey page contents
• 2.4.3 - Focus Order
  • Search bar clear button is focused on after Search button
  • 1 tabindex alert present on 'Skip to content' link
• 2.4.5 - Multiple Ways
  • No link back to landing page from login
• 2.4.6 - Heading and labels
  • Heading used for formating in places means there are multiple skipped heading levels and empty headings
• 2.4.7 - Focus visible
  • When navigating using keyboard the focus is not always not visible 
• 2.5.3 - Label in name
  
  • All drop-down menus have no accessible name/read as 'blank'
• 3.3.1 - Error Identification
  • Non sepecific error message displayed at page top
  • Erroneous fields are not identified
• 3.3.2 - Labels or Instructions
  • 4 select missing labels present (could be 'Chosen' issue)
  • Some fields and controls have empty labels, so screen readers will be unable to understand their function 
• 3.3.3 - Error Suggestion
  • Errors are not written in plain English
• 4.1.1 - Parsing
  • There are parsing errors present
• 4.1.2 - Name, Role, Value
  • Form fields across the site are not correctly interpreted by screen readers
• 4.1.3 - Status Message
  • Screen reader does not interpret number of results/if no results have been returned

Disproportionate Burden

GLHER uses version 6 of the open source Arches platform developed by the Getty Conservation Institute. It is designed for cultural institutions and includes unique features for recording complex heritage inventories.

Historic England has put a lot of effort into improving accessibility in v6. With the recent release of v7 continued work on v6 would be a duplication of effort. We are now focusing on improving the accessibility of v7 and will upgrade GLHER to v7 when this work is completed.

It is currently only available to HE Staff and invited users. This allows us to offer a high level of support so we can make the best use of our limited resources.

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

Online maps and mapping services

The map used has a number of issues within the accessibility standards, including 1.4.1 Use of Colour, 1.4.11 Non-Text Contrast, 2.1.1 Keyboard, 1.3.1 Info and Relationships and 1.4.3 Contrast (minimum).

Online maps and mapping services are exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations as long as essential information is provided in an accessible digital manner for maps intended for navigational use. 

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

It is Historic England’s intention for https://glher.historicengland.org.uk/ to become compliant. During 2023 we will work with the open source project's main funder to achieve compliance. 

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 22 February 2023. It was last reviewed on 22 February 2023.

This website was last tested on 01 September 2022. The test was carried out by Historic England. All pages which form part of the public facing application were tested.