This accessibility statement applies to content published on the englishonline.britishcouncil.org website and English Online student platforms. It does not apply to other websites operated by the British Council.
Our commitment
The British Council is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all users, in line with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards and the UK Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018.
We want everyone to be able to:
- Change colours, contrast levels, and fonts (excluding documents)
- Zoom in up to 300% without content spilling off the screen
- Navigate most of the site using a keyboard or speech recognition software
- Use a screen reader (including JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver)
- Understand the content thanks to clear, simple English
For help with personal device accessibility, visit: AbilityNet – My Computer My Way
Product-specific accessibility statements
Flexible Course
English Online (including Professional Skills classes for Platinum subscribers) is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all learners.
Key features:
- Users can customise colour schemes, contrast, and fonts
- Platform supports 300% zoom without loss of content
- Most areas are navigable by keyboard alone
- Voice navigation is supported
- Compatible with latest versions of JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver
Additional support:
- Students can share specific needs during onboarding
- One-to-one accessibility consultations are available with our trained Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Champion
- All staff undergo training on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, including British Council Inclusion Policy guidance
Ongoing improvements:
- Regular audits are conducted, most recently by the Digital Accessibility Centre
- Identified issues are tracked and resolved as part of our development roadmap
IELTS Coach
We are committed to ensuring IELTS Coach Online is accessible for all learners.
Key features:
- Adjustable visual settings (colours, fonts, contrast)
- 300% zoom support
- Keyboard-only navigation compatibility
- Voice navigation capability
- Screen reader support (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver)
Additional support:
- One-to-one accessibility consultations are available with our trained Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Champion
- Dedicated Student Support team to respond to access needs
- Mandatory accessibility and inclusion training for all staff
Ongoing improvements:
- Accessibility is reviewed through audits
- We actively apply recommendations from the most recent DAC audit
English for Work
Our English for Work portal supports working professionals with an inclusive, accessible design.
Key features:
- Customisable colours and contrast for visual accessibility
Zoom up to 300% supported
- Keyboard and speech-recognition navigation
- Fully compatible with current screen readers
Additional support:
- One-to-one accessibility consultations are available with our trained Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Champion
- Support staff trained in Inclusion Policy delivery and EDI standards
Ongoing improvements:
- Regular DAC audits help drive product accessibility improvements
Self Study
English Online Self-Study is structured for independent learning with accessibility at its core.
Key features:
- Interface settings allow changes to colours, fonts, and contrast
- Zoom functionality up to 300%
- Keyboard-accessible design
- Compatible with screen readers and voice input software
Additional support:
- Student onboarding includes options to disclose and discuss access requirements
- One-to-one accessibility consultations are available with our trained Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Champion
- Team members complete training on accessibility and inclusive delivery
Ongoing improvements:
- Audits by the Digital Accessibility Centre inform updates and fixes
Known accessibility issues
We know that some areas of the site currently do not meet full WCAG 2.1 AA standards:
- Some headings are not logically structured
- Some keyboard navigation paths lack clarity
- Some images lack alternative text or include embedded text
- Some links are non-descriptive or open new windows without notice
- Progressive reveal (“show/hide”) elements are not fully screen reader compatible
- Some forms have insufficient colour contrast
- Many older PDFs or Word documents are not accessible
- Captions and transcripts are not available for all video/media content
- CAPTCHA and third-party tools may not be accessible
We are working to fix these issues as part of our platform refresh.
Requesting content in an alternative format
If you require information in a different format (e.g. large print, audio, BSL, accessible PDF), please email:
Contact us
Include:
- The page URL
- Your preferred format
- Your name and contact email
Reporting accessibility problems
We welcome your feedback on website accessibility. If you encounter an issue not listed here, please get in touch:
Contact us
How we test this website
We test our platforms using:
Our most recent audit was conducted in August 2023. Key content journeys and page types are reviewed for accessibility compliance.
What we’re doing to improve
Accessibility is a continuous process. We are:
- Incorporating feedback from audits and users
- Updating templates and forms
- Training staff on inclusive digital practices
- Planning a technology refresh with accessibility built-in
Statement last updated: June 2025
Next review: December 2025