Accessibility statement

This statement applies to the Backed web application: the public pages, sign-in and registration, and the areas for partner organisations, employers, candidates and the network team. It does not cover documents people upload, videos people record, or employers’ own websites.

We aim to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at level AA. The application is partially compliant with WCAG 2.2 AA because of the known issues listed below.

What you can expect throughout:

• Every screen works on a phone, one-handed, with a bottom navigation in thumb reach and controls at least 44 pixels tall.
• Every control has a visible label or an accessible name; buttons say what they do (“Save skills”, not “Save”).
• Colour contrast meets AA on every text and control, checked automatically on every page.
• Everything can be done with a keyboard alone; scrolling regions are reachable and labelled; focus is visible.
• Text can be resized to 200% and the layout reflows to 320 pixels wide without horizontal scrolling.
• Errors are announced, explained in plain words, and never lose what you had typed.
• Nothing relies on colour alone, nothing flashes, and nothing moves without a way to stop it.
• The language is plain, in short lines, written to be read aloud by a support worker if that helps.

These are the things we know are not right yet. Each has a plan.

• “Meet me” videos uploaded before captions were supported have no captions or transcript. New uploads prompt for a transcript; older videos do not have one until the support worker adds it.

  WCAG: 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded), 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative

  Plan: Support workers are prompted to add a transcript when they next edit the profile; a bulk reminder runs quarterly.

• The interview-practice room relies on the microphone and on live speech. A text-only alternative exists for the written practice questions, but the voice and translation practice has no equivalent for people who cannot speak or hear.

  WCAG: 1.2.x, 2.5.x (input modalities)

  Plan: A typed-conversation mode for the practice room is planned for the next release.

• PDF exports of a CV are generated as text, but complex layouts may not read in a logical order in every screen reader.

  WCAG: 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence

  Plan: Tagged-PDF output is planned; the on-screen profile is the accessible alternative in the meantime.

• Some third-party content — such as an employer’s external application link — is outside our control and may not meet the standard.

  WCAG: n/a (third-party)

  Plan: Employers are asked to provide an accessible route and the support worker can arrange one.

Every page is scanned automatically with axe-core against the WCAG 2.0, 2.1 and 2.2 A and AA rules at desktop and phone widths on every change; a failing scan blocks the release. We test by hand with keyboard only, with VoiceOver on iPhone and NVDA on Windows, and at 200% zoom. We do not yet run testing with disabled users on a schedule; we want to, and the contact below is how to volunteer.

Tell us. If you are supported by a partner organisation, your support worker can pass it on or make the change with you. Anyone can contact the network team through the support address shown in the app, or by replying to any email we send. Say what you were trying to do, which page, and what assistive technology you use. We aim to reply within five working days and to fix blocking problems within ten.

If you need information from Backed in another format — large print, easy read, audio, or a language other than English — ask, and we will arrange it.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 where they apply, and the Equality Act 2010 more widely. If you are not happy with how we respond to a complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

This statement was prepared on 8 September 2026 and is reviewed with every release. Related: terms of use · privacy notice.