Overview
This accessibility statement applies to the startuploans.co.uk website.
Start Up Loans is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. We are continually working to increase the accessibility and usability of our website.
We also routinely check web pages, when updates are made to existing pages and when new pages are published – to ensure that they meet accessibility requirements.
Whilst we work to the accepted guidelines and standards for accessibility and usability, there are always enhancements that we can make and we are constantly looking at how we can provide an accessible experience for everyone. We are always happy to listen to suggestions and open to improvements.
Please use info@british-business-bank.co.uk to talk about accessibility with one of our team.
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
Start Up Loans is committed to making its websites accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
This website is being measured against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard.
Compliance status
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliance(s) and/or the exemptions listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reason(s):
(a) Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
- Missing accessible alternative for on-screen text in videos
- Some video content does not have an accompanying media alternative or audio description. The video’s narration does not announce the speakers name and title. This fails WCAG success criterion 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded).
- Missing form fieldset
- There are instances on the Start Up Loans website where grouped controls are not enclosed within a fieldset. This fails
- Decorative images have unnecessary alt text on mobile devices
- There are instances on mobile devices where we are serving images which have unnecessary alt text. This fails WCAG success criterion 1.1.1 Non-text content.
- Foreign Language country name(s) missing ‘lang’ attribute
- There are some instances where text is in a different language, for example, Welsh. This non-English content does not have a lang attribute. A lang attribute is required for non-English text e.g. lang=”cy” (Welsh). This fails WCAG success criterion 3.1.2 Language of Parts
Full details of the report and copies on request can be made to info@british-business-bank.co.uk.
(b) Disproportionate burden
Dot Digital - embedded forms
Our website uses Dotdigital as a third-party form solution. Dotdigital forms are embedded within our website and are used to collect data across multiple websites operated by British Business Bank.
The Dotdigital solution was selected primarily for ease of implementation and operational flexibility. It allows us to create and manage a wide range of forms, including more complex forms that use conditional logic and branching routes, without requiring significant bespoke development.
Dotdigital’s out-of-the-box accessibility compliance is generally good, however we are aware that it does not fully meet all WCAG 2.2 AA success criteria. The remaining issues are typically low-level, technical accessibility issues that are inherent to the third-party platform and cannot be fully resolved through configuration alone.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
Issues with PDFs and other documents
Many of our older PDFs and Word documents don’t meet accessibility standards – for example, they may not be marked up so that they’re accessible to a screen reader. The accessibility regulations don’t require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services. However, should you require an accessible version of any of our content, please contact us at info@british-business-bank.co.uk.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
We are working continuously to ensure that the number of non-compliant issues remains minimal on our sites and we are committed to fixing any new issues as they arise.
This includes weekly or more frequent reviews to identify accessibility issues, correct source code errors and manually edit website elements to adhere to WCAG 2.2 standards.
We have also purchased additional Adobe Acrobat licenses to ensure all website content editors are able to run accessibility checks on documents prior to uploading onto the website.
We are also committed to continuously educating all staff to be aware of website accessibility guidelines to ensure maximum compliance when new content is added to our websites.
Feedback and contact information
How to request content in an accessible format
If you need information in a different format contact us and tell us:
- the web address (URL) of the content
- your name and email address and the format you need
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
If you find any problems that are not listed on this page or you think we’re not meeting the accessibility requirements, you may contact us on info@british-business-bank.co.uk
Enforcement procedure
The Equality and Human Rights Commission 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).
How we tested this website
This website was and is currently being tested for compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines V2.2 level A and level AA, and these tests are being carried out weekly using a Digital Quality Management platform. We also run on request audits with our third party accessibility partner, RNIB. In February 2025, the website startuploans.co.uk was reviewed independently by the RNIB to test for accessibility defects.
Preparation of this statement
This statement was prepared on 19th August 2020. It was last updated on 19th February 2026.
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