Accessibility statement

This accessibility statement applies to the His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) website. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

• zoom in up to 400% without the text spilling off the screen

• navigate most of the website using just a keyboard

• listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)

How accessible this website is

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

• some images do not have image descriptions
• some videos do not have captions or transcripts available
• some pages may not display correctly when users apply their own text space settings. This can make content hard to read for some users.
• many documents are in PDF format and are not accessible

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

Feedback and contact information

We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page, believe we are not meeting accessibility requirements or need information on this website in a different format please contact us. We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 5 working days.

Enforcement procedure

HMIE is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) accessibility regulations.

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 are unhappy with how we respond to your feedback, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service. They are an independent advice service and can advise you on what to do next.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 A and AA success criteria. This is due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non-accessible content

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

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

WCAG 1.1.1 Non-text content

Images and icons on some web pages and PDF documents do not have suitable image descriptions. Users of assistive technologies may not have access to information conveyed in images.

WCAG 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (pre-recorded)

Some audio-only content, including podcasts, do not have transcripts.

WCAG 1.2.2 Captions (pre-recorded)

Not all pre-recorded videos provide accurate transcripts or captions.

WCAG 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Pre-recorded)

Not all videos have an audio description or media alternative.

WCAG 1.2.5 Audio Description (pre-recorded)

While most content in videos is conveyed in the audio, some important contextual information is only communicated by text on the screen.

WCAG 1.3.1 Info and Relationships

Some tables in website and PDF content do not have table row headers when needed. This means assistive technologies will not read the tables correctly.

Some website and PDF headings are not appropriately marked up

WCAG 1.3.2 Meaningful sequence

Some headings on the website and in PDF documents may not be read in the correct order by assistive technologies.

WCAG 1.4.12 Text spacing

Some pages may not display correctly when users apply their own text spacing settings. This may make the content harder to read for some users.

WCAG 1.4.3 Contrast (minimum)

PDF document styles have low contrast.

WCAG 1.4.5 Images of text

Some web pages and PDF documents contain images of text.

WCAG 2.4.2 Page Titled

Some pages have duplicate titles. This may make it difficult for users to orient themselves and find the right content.

WCAG 2.4.5 Multiple Ways

Some pages cannot be found through more than one type of navigation.

WCAG 3.1.2 Language of Parts

The change in the default written language is not correctly named on some pages. This means screen readers will not read content correctly.

Some resources and search results written in Gaelic text are not marked up.

WCAG 4.1.2 Name, role, value

Some video iframes do not have an accessible name.

Other issues

Many documents are in less accessible formats, for example PDF documents. Non-HTML documents published on or after 23 September 2018 must have an accessible format.

Many of our older PDF, Word and PowerPoint documents do not meet accessibility standards. For example, they may not be structured correctly for screen reader users, may contain images without suitable alternative text, or may include tables and charts not marked up correctly.

We are continuing to review documents, audio and video published on the HMIE website. We will remove content that is no longer needed and update content which is current or frequently used.

Content that is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

PDF Documents

Accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDF or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they are not essential to providing our services. Any new documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

Video captions

Pre-recorded videos published prior to 23 September 2020 are exempt from meeting accessibility regulations.

What we are doing to improve accessibility

We are regularly working to review documents that are published on the HMIE website.

This site uses the Scottish Government Design System, which has accessible styles, components and patterns.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 9 October 2025.