Accessibility Statement for Natural Capital Tool

This accessibility statement applies to https://natcaptool.nature.scot/.

This website is run by NatureScot. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

  • Understand the purpose of each step in the tool using plain language labels and contextual help text.
  • Navigate the main website pages and reach key controls using a keyboard.
  • Complete some core tasks using an alternative to map drawing, such as uploading spatial data files.

We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand, and we provide contextual help within the tool to explain technical concepts.

How accessible this website is

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

  • Some parts of the interactive map and map-based tasks (such as drawing or selecting areas) are not usable with a keyboard or screen reader.
  • Some tooltip and contextual help elements do not work consistently with keyboard-only navigation (for example, focus is not always visible and the Escape key does not always close them).
  • Some modal dialogs do not consistently trap focus or return focus correctly when closed.
  • Some status updates and contextual information are not always announced clearly for screen reader users.
  • At increased zoom levels on smaller screens, parts of the main tool interface may be difficult to use.

Feedback and contact information

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of the tool. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact us at natcaptool@nature.scot or use the feedback form.

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).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

NatureScot is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

The website has been tested against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard. This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, 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

Keyboard access and focus management

Some interactive elements, including tooltip and contextual help elements, do not work consistently with keyboard-only navigation. In particular, focus is not always visibly indicated, focus may not be managed correctly when the help opens and closes, and Escape does not always close these elements. This can make it harder for keyboard-only users to understand and operate the interface.

This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 2.1.1 (Keyboard), 2.4.3 (Focus Order) and 2.4.7 (Focus Visible).

Some modal dialogs do not consistently trap focus within the dialog and do not always return focus to a logical place when the dialog closes. This can allow users to tab to content behind the dialog and can be confusing for keyboard-only and screen reader users.

This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 2.1.1 (Keyboard) and 2.4.3 (Focus Order).

Screen reader announcements and context

Some status updates and contextual information within the tool are not always announced clearly to screen reader users. For example, some updates relating to tool status or actions may not be presented as status messages, and some controls are announced without sufficient context to identify what they relate to.

This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 4.1.3 (Status Messages) and may fail 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships) and 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value).

Forms and validation

Some form validation errors are shown visually but are not consistently announced to screen reader users when they appear. In addition, the submit button may be disabled while errors are present, which may make it difficult for some users to understand why the form cannot be submitted.

This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 3.3.1 (Error Identification) and 4.1.3 (Status Messages).

Interactive map limitations

Some core functionality relies on complex, pointer-based interactions within the interactive map. This includes drawing boundaries, selecting intervention areas, using certain drag-based controls (such as sliders), and accessing hover-based map information. These actions are not fully usable via keyboard or screen reader.

This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 2.1.1 (related to keyboard access), and where drag actions are required it may fail 2.5.7 (Dragging Movements). Where information is only available on hover, it may fail 1.4.13 (Content on Hover or Focus).

Zoom and reflow

At increased zoom levels (for example 200%) on smaller screens, parts of the Tool page can become difficult or impossible to use due to the density of the layout and constrained scrollable regions.

This may fail WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.10 (Reflow).

When we plan to fix things

We are reviewing these issues and will prioritise fixes that improve keyboard navigation, focus management, and screen reader support. Improvements will be scheduled and delivered as part of ongoing development work and may be released in phases.

Disproportionate burden

Not applicable.

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

Not applicable.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

We will continue to review and improve accessibility as the Natural Capital Tool evolves. Priority will be given to improvements that provide the greatest benefit to users, including:

  • Improving keyboard support and focus behaviour for tooltip and contextual help elements.
  • Improving focus management for modal dialogs.
  • Improving screen reader announcements for dynamic updates and contextual information.
  • Improving form validation feedback for assistive technology users.

We will keep this accessibility statement under review and update it when significant changes are made to the service.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 11/02/2026. It was last reviewed on 11/02/2026.

This website was last tested on 11/02/2026 against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.

The test was carried out by DevMajor on behalf of NatureScot using a combination of automated testing tools and manual testing. Manual testing included keyboard navigation checks, focus management checks for modal dialogs and tooltip/help elements, screen reader testing using VoiceOver on macOS, and review of interactive map functionality.