Accessibility Statement.
This website is run by the Crofting Commission. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website.
How accessible is this website?
We are currently working on improving the accessibility of the site. An assessment was carried out by the Shaw Trust which presented it's results in September 2021, highlighting the following areas that the Commission is now addressing:
We are working to make
colour contrasts for easier reading
keyboard only navigation to be improved and added for accordian sections
Better accessibility for uploaded files
corrections to missing or incorrect headings
several instances of incorrect table styling and missing captions to be addressed
Larger fonts can be achieved by pressing Ctrl + or - keys to adjust the text size.
A large amount of the historical data we hold such as decrofting directions and apportionment orders are available only as pdf scans of images which are not fully accessible to screen readers. Please contact us if you require any of these documents in an accessible format.
Other PDFs, Word and Excel documents such as application forms, board papers and our Annual Report may need updating to make them more accessible.
It is not always obvious which elements on our site are focused, which hampers navigation for keyboard users.
We have some forms on webpages which need to be better structured.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We are keen to hear from anyone who experiences problems accessing and part of this site or thinks we are not meeting our accessibility requirements, please tell us:
Email ComplianceHub@Crofting.gov.scot
Telephone: 01463 663439 or write to us at
Crofting Commission, Compliance Hub, Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NW
We will get back to you 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). They are an independent advice service and will advise you on what to do next.
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
The Crofting Commission is committed to making its 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 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliance issues listed below.
Some colour contrasts use do not yet meet the minimum requirements for visual impairments
Some links do not make it clear they open in seperate windows
Some web elements are missing text alternatives or visual queues to indicate functionality
Current files uploaded are in PDF format and lack appropriate descriptive tags to enable screen readers to detail the contents for those with visual impairments
Our Annual Report has inconsistent tagging
Non accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
historic Decrofting Directions and maps
historic pdf's - e.g Board Minutes
Each of these items are in non accessible formats due to an incompatible historic file format. Correction of these would require the reproduction of all historic documents which would be a non viable course of action due to the volumes involved.
Not within the scope of the regulations
The accessibility regulations do not cover PDF or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they're not essential to providing our services.
Non compliance with the accessibility regulations
Some images do not have a text alternative, so people using a screen reader cannot access the information. This fails WCAG 2.1 AA standard success criterion 1.1.1 (non-text content).
Page frames feature colour contrasts that are below the minimum requirements, and appear on every page. This fails WCAG 2.1 AA standard success criterion. This will be fixed by April 2021.
Meet the Commissioners pages feature text contrasts that are below the acceptable minimum requirements This fails WCAG 2.1 AA standard success criterion. This will be fixed by Aprl 2021.
Disproportionate burden
Here we will list those parts of our website which are not accessible (fail WCAG 2.1 AA) but which we do not intend to change due to the disproportionate burden this would incur.
historic Decrofting Directions and maps
historic pdf's - e.g Board Minutes
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
historic Decrofting Directions and maps prior to September 2018
historic pdf's - e.g Board Minutes prior to September 2018
How we tested this website
This website was last tested in October 2020. The test was carried out by Plexus Media Ltd and the Crofting Commission. A full accessability evaluation was carried out by The Shaw Trust in September 2021.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
We are currently working on improving the accessibility of the website, including making the navigation system more friendly for screen readers and keyboard users, and investigating ways to make all documents fully accessible by the end of 2023. We are currently undertaking work to revise our application forms and supporting guidance notes to be fully compliant. We have contracted an external specialist (The Shaw Trust) to review this website and its content to ensure we meet WCAG 2.1 AA standard. Once the issues identified are rectified the Shaw Trust will be invited to review the website again.
Last Updated: 07 June 2023.