Accessibility Statement for academies Accounts Return 2025/26

Using this website

The website is run by the Department for Education (DfE). We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, it is possible to:

• change colours, contrast levels and fonts
• zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
• navigate 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)

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

For keyboard only users:

use the tab or arrow keys to navigate to the error summary at the bottom of the page

For screen reader users:

• where a question on the questionnaire page has link text, when this is selected the question text will be read aloud, this will not be read aloud again by the reader when the user proceeds to select the Yes or No option to answer the question

• where an error message refers to a validation, more information is available by using the arrow keys to navigate to the View Error Details

Feedback and contact information

We are committed to making our website more accessible. If you encounter any issues not mentioned here or feel we are not meeting accessibility standards, please contact us through the DfE Customer Help Portal.

You can submit an enquiry by using one of the following options:

• your DFE sign in details
• registering for a portal account
• accessing as a guest

After logging in and creating a new enquiry, you can provide your organisation’s details. Follow these steps:

• Select "DfE Returns and data requests"
• Choose "Financial returns"
• Pick "Academy Accounts Return"

You will then have access to a form in which to enter specific details of your enquiry.

We will review your request and respond within 5 working days.

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

The Department for Education 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 2.2 AA standard.

Non-accessible content

• blank lines to enhance content layout on the index page are announced by the screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 1.1.1 Level A (Perceivable – Non-text Content)
• screen reader users may have difficulty understanding the purpose of some page elements as some are missing or incorrectly labelled. For example, question 3 of the SoFA Grants Questionnaire has a missing label. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 1.3.1 Level A (Adaptable – Info and Relationships), 3.3.2 Level A (Input Assistance – Labels and Instructions) and 4.1.2 Level A (Robust – Name, Role, Value)
• the empty header below the guidance banner on Question 3 of the SoFA Grants Questionnaire may cause confusion for screen reader users. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 1.3.1 Level A (Adaptable – Info and Relationships) and 2.4.6 Level AA (Navigable – Headings and Labels)
• there are multiple form labels on some input fields on the Academies accounts return index\Benchmarking\Academies\Academies dashboard page which screen reader users may find difficult to navigate. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 1.3.1 Level A (Adaptable – Info and Relationships), 2.4.6 Level AA (Navigable – Headings and Labels) and 3.3.2 Level A (Input Assistance – Labels and Instructions)
• where links open in a new tab this is not declared in the link text so will not be announced by a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 4.1.2 Level A (Robust – Name, Role, Value) and WCAF G200
• no useful information is given to screen reader users when incorrect entries are made that do not meet input fields validation rules. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 3.3.3 Level AA (Understandable – Error Suggestion)
• Error summary messages are generic and do not list the individual errors separately. This fails WCAG 2.2AA success criterion 3.3.2 Level A (Input Assistance – Labels and Instructions)

How we’re improving accessibility

To improve accessibility we will:

• resolve the WCAG failures for the next major release Account Return 2025/26
• continue to test the web application complies with the WCAG 2.2AA standard as enhancements or changes are made
• perform an annual accessibility audit and publish an updated accessibility statement

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 18 February 2020. It was last reviewed on 1 July 2025.

The DfE tested and fully audited this website in July 2024. There haven't been any major changes to the website since then

Testing was carried out using:

• Dragon NaturallySpeaking (V15), which is a voice recognition (speech to text) program used by people who may have upper limb disorders or specific problems using their hand - it requires minimal user interface from a mouse or keyboard
• JAWS (2024), which is a screen reader (text to speech) program developed for users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse - JAWS provides speech and Braille output for the most popular computer applications
• NVDA (2023), which is a screen reader for users with sight loss or visual impairments
• Zoomtext (2024), which is a fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users- it enlarges and enhances everything on screen, echoes typing and essential program activity, and reads screen content

Testing was carried out considering the following disabilities:

• keyboard only user - a user who has a motor impairment that limits them to using only a keyboard to operate a computer
• voice activation user - a user who has a motor impairment that limits them to using only voice commands to operate a computer via assistive technology such as a microphone and dictation software
• screen reader user - a user who has a visual impairment that limits them to using accessibility software such as a screen reader to operate a computer via keyboard control and feedback via audible descriptions of visual elements
• low vision user - a user who has a visual impairment that limits their access to content presented at 100% magnification and utilises system controls, browser controls or accessibility software to increase screen magnification
• deaf or hard of hearing user - a user who has a hearing impairment that limits their access to audio content
• learning difficulties user - a user who has a learning disability that limits their access to content that is presented in a way that requires a high level of literacy

Testing methodology and browser compatibility

Testing was undertaken with:

• using 2 different screen reader packages as they often interact differently with a page
• using only keyboard commands and voice where applicable. A mouse or similar device was not used
• with consideration given to usability and neurodiversity
• in a structured way, often following a business process from beginning to end

Testing was undertaken with:

• the latest versions of Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Chrome and Safari browsers
• Windows operating system
• Android, iPad and Mac devices