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 fonts
• 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 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:

• audio content does not have an adequate accessible alternative 
• the focus order of the screen may not always be logical when using Android TalkBack
• some buttons cannot be interacted with using iOS VoiceOver touch gestures
• 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

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 resolve this by: September 2025.

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 review this by: September 2025.

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 this by: September 2025.

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 resolve this by: September 2025.

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: September 2025.

The focus order of some content is not logical when navigating using Android TalkBack, with focus not starting at the top of the screen when switching to text input for setting a run reminder. This may cause confusion for some users who might expect the focus to start at the top of the screen content. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.3 Focus Order.

We plan to resolve this by: September 2025

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. The next full audit will be carried out in November 2025.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 16 January 2025. It was last reviewed on 7 April 2025.

This application was last tested on 12 March 2025. The test was carried out by Zoonou.

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.

Disproportionate burden statement

Landscape orientation of Better Health mobile applications

Page content is restricted to being viewed in portrait orientation across both iOS and Android devices, and does not comply with WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.3.4 (Orientation). This is a known issue affecting the NHS Couch to 5K mobile application.

Benefits of creating an accessible version

Enhanced Content Layout: Landscape orientation can be beneficial for displaying certain types of content, such as tables, charts, and diagrams. This can be particularly useful for apps that provide data visualization or educational content, making it easier for users to interpret complex information.

Wider Keyboard: For users who may have difficulty with small on-screen keyboards, landscape mode can provide a wider keyboard layout, making it easier to type accurately and quickly. This can benefit users with motor impairments or those who have larger fingers.

Improved Gesture Controls: Landscape orientation may offer more space for touch gestures and controls. This can be advantageous for users with limited dexterity or precision, as it reduces the chances of accidental taps and swipes.

Compatibility with Accessories: Some users may use accessories like physical keyboards, external Braille displays or fixed orientation device mounts with their mobile devices. Landscape orientation can offer better compatibility with such equipment, allowing for more comfortable and efficient interaction.

Burden

• Development Resources: Enabling landscape orientation requires significant development effort, including redesigning interfaces, adjusting layouts, and optimizing content. This allocation of resources could be better utilized to enhance other critical aspects of the apps, such as accessibility features, content quality, and usability in portrait orientation. 
• Maintenance and Testing: Maintaining and testing multiple app orientations significantly increases the complexity of ongoing development and quality assurance efforts. This would lead to increased maintenance costs and a potentially higher likelihood of introducing bugs and issues with each update.

Assessment

It is our determination that the benefits of enabling landscape orientation across the Better Health mobile apps do not appear to outweigh the costs and potential challenges, rendering this a disproportionate burden.

As a result, we recommend focusing our resources on improving other aspects of the app, such as enhancing content quality, providing better accessibility features, and optimizing user experience in portrait orientation.

This approach aligns with our commitment to providing accessible and user-friendly health and wellness information to all users while effectively managing development efforts and resources.