Accessibility statement for NHS Couch to 5K

This accessibility statement applies to the NHS Couch to 5K mobile application.

This application is run by the Department of Health and Social Care. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this application. For example, that means you should be able to:

• change colours, contrast levels and font sizes
• zoom in up to 200% without the text spilling off the screen
• navigate most of the application using just a keyboard
• listen to most of the application using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of TalkBack and VoiceOver)

We’ve also made the application text and tone of voice as simple as possible to understand.

Adapting the content to your specific needs

If you have a disability or other specific access needs, AbilityNet has advice guides to help you adapt your device to make it easier to use.

How accessible this application is

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

• all audio content does not have an adequate accessible alternative 
• when navigating the application using an external keyboard, it may not be possible to access all content onscreen
• content cannot be viewed in landscape orientation

Reporting accessibility problems with this application

We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this app. If you find any problems not listed on this page, or think we are not meeting accessibility requirements, please email us using the link below.

To assist us in resolving the issue you are experiencing, please inform us of the device type you are using (iOS or Android), what app you are using (in this case the NHS Couch to 5K mobile application), what screen you were on (e.g. Week 2, Run 1) and the issue you have faced. This will give us the information we need to consider and investigate your request and get back to you within 5 working days.

You can use the template below:

Device type:
App name:
Screen title or feature:
Issue summary:

Supporting information:

Email the Better Health 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).

Technical information about this application’s accessibility

The Department of Health and Social Care is committed to making its application accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

This application is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content

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

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Screens with a large amount of text content on, such as ‘Terms & Conditions’ and ‘Accessibility Statement’, do not contain a “Return to top” or similar functionality. Screen reader and keyboard users may have trouble quickly and easily navigating back to the top of these screens. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.1 (bypass blocks).

We plan to resolve this by March 2026.

An adequate alternative text transcript is not currently provided for some audio content. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.2.1 Pre-Recorded Audio-Only and Video-Only.

We plan to partially resolve this by introducing text transcripts alongside the Steve Cram programme, with further rollout of text transcripts expected throughout January, February and March 2026.

The volume of the application's audio is not adjustable independently from screen reader audio during active use of the application’s core functionality. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.2 Audio Control.

We plan to resolve this by allowing the user to isolate and mute their trainer’s audio: Resolution expected January 2026.

When navigating the application using an external keyboard, it may not be possible to access all content onscreen. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.1.1 Keyboard.

We plan to review requirements alongside findings from our next annual audit by January 2026.

It is not possible to interact with all buttons within the application using VoiceOver touch gestures, which may prevent some users from accessing core functionality within the application. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.1.1 Keyboard.

We plan to review requirements alongside findings from our next annual audit by January 2026.

There is no inbuilt way for screen reader users to return to the top of the screen quickly after navigating through long text content on the Terms and Conditions screen, which could make it more time consuming for some users to navigate the application. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks.

We plan to review this by January 2026.

Disproportionate burden

Orientation 

The application can only be viewed in a portrait view and cannot be adjusted to landscape. This is due to the limitations of the viewpoint for mobile applications.  

We’ve assessed the cost of fixing the issues with video players and the application orientation. 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, likely to be in August 2026.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

We will be focusing on improving the app for all our users including a commitment to undertake user and usability testing to better understand and support user needs, with independent annual third-party accessibility audits and reviews.

We are:

• Reviewing all new features for accessibility as part of our design and QA processes
• Testing interactive components (like modals, buttons, and forms) for keyboard and screen reader support
• Maintaining and reviewing our accessibility statement and WCAG audit results
• Monitoring client feedback for accessibility issues and acting on it as part of our development process

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 16 January 2025. It was last reviewed and updated on 8 October 2025.

This application was last audited in November 2025. The test was carried out by Zoonou Ltd.

Zoonou used the Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology (WCAG-EM) 1.0 to define the pages tested and test approach.

Visit the WCAG website for more information.