Accessibility Statement

This accessibility statement applies to our website https://essentials.digitaltheatreplus.com (the "Website") and associated websites (ela.digitaltheatreplus.com, shakespeare.digitaltheatreplus.com, poetry-prose.digitaltheatreplus.com).

This Website is run by Digital Theatre (US) LLC and its holding company, subsidiaries, and affiliates ("Digital Theatre", "we", "our" or "us").

We want as many people as possible to be able to use this Website. For example, that means:

  • all functionality of the content is operable through a keyboard interface without requiring a mouse or touch input.

  • any keyboard interface has a mode of operation where the keyboard focus indicator is visible.

  • if a web page can be navigated sequentially, focusable components receive focus in an order that preserves meaning and operability.

  • web content does not restrict use of input modalities available.

  • the size of the screen and/or pointer inputs (buttons etc.) is large enough to be accessible on mobile devices.

  • colour is not used as the only visual means of conveying information (for example, links are also underlined on hover).

  • text can be resized without assistance technology up to at least 200% without loss of content or functionality; and

  • the website is not designed in a way that is known to cause seizures or physical reactions.

We have also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet (https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk/) has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

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

  • Video content does not include audio descriptions, which can limit access for blind or low vision users who rely on them to understand visual information in videos.

  • We do not provide sign language videos for audio content, which may affect users who primarily communicate through sign language.

  • Some of our older PDF files are not fully accessible to screen reader software.

  • You cannot modify the line height, spacing of text, or select custom background and foreground colours.

  • Some text and images may not have sufficient colour contrast, which could affect users with visual impairments.

  • We do not provide text transcripts for content, which may impact users who are deaf or hard of hearing.

  • Some words that are ambiguous, unknown, or used in a very specific way are not defined, which could affect users with cognitive disabilities or non-native speakers.

  • Abbreviations are not always expanded or explained, which may impact users with cognitive disabilities or those using screen readers.]

Feedback and contact information

If you find any problems not listed in this statement or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact: accessibility@digitaltheatreplus.com

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille or assistance completing a task email: essentials@digitaltheatreplus.com

We will consider your request and get back to you within five (5) working days.

Technical information about this Website's accessibility

Digital Theatre is committed to making its Website accessible.

Compliance status

The Website has been tested against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines ("WCAG") 2.1 AA standard.

This Website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 (https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21) ("WCAG") A, AA and AAA 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

WCAG 2.1 Level A

  • We do not provide descriptive text transcripts (including all relevant visual and auditory clues and indicators) for non-live, web-based audio. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) (Level A).

  • We do not provide a descriptive text transcript or audio description audio track for non-live web-based video. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) (Level A). We will assess future content to understand whether we are able to meet this standard.

  • We do not provide audio descriptions for all video content. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) (Level A). We will assess future content to understand whether we are able to meet this standard.

  • We do not provide a sign language video for all media content that requires audio. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.2.6 Sign Language (Prerecorded) (Level A). We will assess future content to understand whether we are able to meet this standard.

  • Some buttons do not have discernible text. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (Level A). We will audit and update these buttons to include accessible names.

  • Some images are missing alternative text or an appropriate role="presentation" or role="none". This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 Non-text Content (Level A).

  • Some HTML documents are missing a lang attribute. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 3.1.1 Language of Page (Level A).

  • Some links do not have discernible text. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) (Level A).

  • Some form elements are missing associated labels. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships and 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (Level A).

  • Keyboard focus cannot always access modal content or iframe content, and keyboard focus outlines are sometimes not clearly visible. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.1.1 Keyboard (Level A) and 2.4.7 Focus Visible (Level AA).

  • Some heading structures are out of order or missing an H1. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A).

WCAG 2.1 Level AA

  • The visual contrast between some foreground text and background colors does not meet the minimum ratio of 4.5:1. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA).

  • Some pages do not contain a main landmark or fail to wrap all content within landmark regions. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A) and affects navigation and orientation for assistive technologies.

  • Some pages use tabindex values greater than 0, which may disrupt logical navigation order. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.3 Focus Order (Level AA).

  • The <meta name="viewport"> tag disables text scaling and zooming. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.4 Resize Text (Level AA).

WCAG 2.1 Level AAA

  • When an audio description track cannot be added to video due to audio timing (e.g., no pauses in audio), we do not provide an alternative version of the video with pauses that allow audio descriptions is provided. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded) (Level AAA). We will assess future content to understand whether we are able to meet this standard.

  • We do not provide a descriptive text transcript for all pre-recorded synchronized media. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded) (Level AAA).

  • The visual presentation of some text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 7.1. This fails WCAGA 2.1 success criterion 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) (Level AAA). We will assess future content to understand whether we are able to meet this standard.

  • We have not produced audio of speech with no or very low background noise so the speech is easily distinguished. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio (Level AAA). We will assess future content to understand whether we are able to meet this standard.

  • We do not provide a mechanism for users to select background and foreground colours, although users may override the background and foreground colours using additional tools. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.8. Visual Presentation (Level AAA). We will assess future content to understand whether we are able to meet this standard.

  • No web pages contain anything that flashes more than three times in any one second period, but there may be some flashing video content. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.3.2 Three Flashes (Level AAA).

  • Words that may be ambiguous, unknown or used in a very specific way are not always defined through adjacent text, a definition list, a glossary, or other suitable methods. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 3.1.3 Unusual Words (Level AAA). We will assess future content to understand whether we are able to meet this standard.

  • Expansions for abbreviations are not provided by expanding or explaining the definition the first time it is used, using the <abbr> element, or linking to a definition or glossary. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 3.1.4 Abbreviations (Level AAA). We will assess future content to understand whether we are able to meet this standard.

  • If the pronunciation of a word is vital to understand that word, its pronunciation is not provided immediately following the word or via a link or glossary. This fails WCAG success criterion 3.1.6 Pronunciation (Level AAA). We will assess future content to understand whether we are able to meet this standard.]

Disproportionate burden

We have assessed the cost of fixing the issues set out below. We believe that doing so now would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of accessibility regulations.

  • To provide descriptive text transcript (including all relevant visual and auditory clues and indicators) for non-live, web-based audio.

  • To provide a descriptive text transcript or audio description audio track for non-live web-based video.

  • To provide a sign language video for all media content that requires audio.

  • To define ambiguous words through adjacent text, a definition list, a glossary or other suitable methods.

  • To expand or explain abbreviations the first time it is used/using the <abbr> element of linking to a definition or glossary.

  • To provide pronunciations for vital words immediately following the word or via a link or glossary.

  • To ensure videos do not contain anything that flashes more than three flashes in any one second period.

  • To produce audio of speech with no or very low background noise.

Content that is not within the scope of accessibility regulations

PDFs and other documents

Many of our older PDF files do not meet accessibility standards. For example, they may not be marked up so they are accessible to a screen reader.

Some of our PDF files are essential to providing our services. For example, we have PDFs with information on how users can use our services.

We have created a register of PDFs which are essential for service delivery and are working through these to convert or create accessible formats.

We understand that the regulations do not require us to fix PDFs and other Documents published before 23 September 2018 if they are not essential to providing our services. However, if you need information in an alternative format, contact us by email essentials@digitaltheatreplus.com. 

Any new PDFs or Word Documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

What we are doing to improve accessibility

We are committed to continuously improving the accessibility of our Website. Our ongoing efforts include:

  • Keeping our Voluntary Product Accessibility Template ("VPAT") up to date. You can request a copy of our VPAT by email to: essentials@digitaltheatreplus.com

  • Proactively considering and implementing support for assistive technology and accessibility during the design and development of changes to our Website.

  • Maintaining awareness of web accessibility standards and best practices among our suppliers.

  • Regularly reviewing our accessibility statement to ensure it accurately reflects the current state of our website.

  • Ensuring that any new content added to our Website adheres to our accessibility standards to the best of our ability.

We believe that accessibility is an ongoing process, and we are dedicated to making our Website as accessible as possible within our resources and capabilities.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 23 June 2025. It was last reviewed on 23 June 2025.

This Website was first tested on 19 June 2025 against WCAG 2.1 A, AA and AAA standards.

The tests were carried out by the DT+ team.