Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 5 March 2024. It was last reviewed on 5 March 2024.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1opens in a new window AA standard, due to the non-accessible content listed on this page.

Non-accessible content

The content listed in this section is non-accessible for the following reasons:

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Browse support page

1. The active pagination page and the show number of results active page buttons have no mouse hover styling. They also don't show the hand cursor indicating a clickable link when hovered over.  We aim to have this fixed by November 2026.
2. The search field on the filters section for both events and services does not let users know how many results have been matched when the auto complete results becomes active. We aim to have this fixed by November 2026.

Browse support service details page

1. The 'Give feedback' and 'Is there something wrong' links that appear near the bottom of the page have no hover style. We aim to have this fixed by November 2026.

In our live chat function:

1. The opening message "This is the beginning of your conversation with us" doesn't meet the minimum font size requirements.
2. The iFrame title "Messenger" for the live chat modal should be changed to something more context-appropriate.
3. When live chat is collapsed, the button shows the text "Open Messenger". This should be changed to something more context-appropriate.
4. When referring to our terms and conditions, live chat provides a link to the 'Terms of use' page as a full URL, rather than linking from accessible anchor text.
5. When you select the live chat button, the keyboard focus doesn't automatically move into the live chat modal that appears.
6. Keyboard focus doesn't remain within the modal popup window until you choose to exit it. Moving through the tabs takes you out of the modal and back to the main page.

The software for live chat is provided by an external supplier. We’re working with the supplier to fix these issues, and hope to have fixes in place by February 2027.

Newsletter signup page

1. The headings on the newsletter sign-up page skip a level, because the main heading is followed directly by a third-level heading. This can make it harder for screen reader users to understand how the page is organised and to move around it by headings. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships). We plan to fix this by April 2027.
2.  The "Area your business is or will be located in?" dropdown is not correctly linked to its visible label. This means screen readers do not announce what the dropdown is for. Error messages for this field may also not be announced. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships) and 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value). We plan to fix this by April 2027.
3. The form contains a hidden field that helps us block spam submissions. Some assistive technologies, such as a screen reader's browse mode, can find this field, where it is announced as "Reference". Users do not need to fill it in. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships). We plan to fix this by April 2027.

How we tested this website

We used the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines V2.1 level A and level AA to test how accessible our site is. We have an in-house accessibility lab and testing team that test new features and changes to the site for accessibility issues.

Where possible, we try to test our websites with disabled users to identify and address any issues.

This website was last tested in March 2024 by our internal team.

What we're doing to improve accessibility

We're aiming to fix the accessibility issues highlighted on this page by the end of June 2024. As our newsletter signup page is hosted by a third party, those issues may take longer to fix.

We regularly test and review this website to check for new issues. We’re currently working towards the new Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2opens in a new window, and aim to be compliant by June 2024. We’ll add any new issues we identify to this statement and aim to fix these as soon as possible.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different format, such as accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording, or braille, you can contact us using these contact details:

• enquiries@findbusinesssupport.gov.scot
• 0300 013 3385opens in a new window (calls charged at local rates)
• 0141 846 0200opens in a new window from mobile phones or if outside Scotland

Or, you can submit an enquiry through our form.

If you're deaf or hearing impaired, you can use your textphone to contact us through Relay UK, or you can search for Relay UK in the App Store for iPhone or iPad or in Google Play for Android.

Reporting a problem

You can use the same contact details to report an accessibility problem on this website.

If you've contacted us regarding accessibility and are still dissatisfied with our decision or the way we dealt with your complaint, you can ask the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) to look at it.

The SPSO cannot normally look at:

• a complaint that has not completed our complaints procedure (so please make sure it has done so before contacting the SPSO)
• events that happened, or that you became aware of, more than a year ago
• a matter that has been or is being considered in court

Contact the SPSOopens in a new window 

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)opens in a new window.