Met Office Test App Accessibility Statement

Accessibility statement for the new Met Office test mobile application

This accessibility statement applies to the new Met Office test app. This is currently available on Android and iOS devices under an invite-only private beta testing phase. This is different from the beta test app available for anyone to search on the live app stores. 

This mobile application is run by the Met Office. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this mobile application. For example, that means you should be able to: 

  • Navigate most of the app using a screen reader (including the most recent version of TalkBack or VoiceOver) 

We’ve also made the mobile application text as simple as possible to understand. 

You can use the built-in accessibility settings on your phone to help you use the app: 

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

 

How accessible this mobile application is 

We know some parts of this mobile application are not fully accessible: 

  • The app cannot yet be used in landscape orientation on smaller devices such as phones.  

 

Feedback and contact information 

If you need information in this mobile application in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille please contact [email protected] 

We aim to respond to all reasonable requests for accessible information. Please make it clear in the enquiry that you are referring to the beta test app rather than the current live app that is available in the public app stores.  

If you require any forecast information in this mobile application described over the phone, or have any other queries please contact our 24 hour helpline: 

  • Phone: 0370 900 0100 (from the UK) 

  • Phone: +44 330 135 0000 (outside the UK) 
     

Reporting accessibility problems with this mobile application 

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this mobile application. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact: [email protected] 
 

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 mobile application’s accessibility 

The Met Office is committed to making its mobile application accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. 
 

Compliance status 

This mobile application is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below. 
 

Non-accessible content 

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

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations 

  • There are some app components such as the selected tab which solely rely on colours as the only visual means of conveying information. This fail WCAG success criterion 1.4.1 Use of Colour level A. We expect this to be resolved by January 2026 

  • There are some instances where the contrast in the app does not meet the minimum for reading text, such as some of the weather background animations, notifications settings popup banners, and the system icons such as wifi icon and time. These fail WCAG success criterion 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) level AA. We expect this to be resolved by January 2026. 

  • Some of the weather symbols in the app have text in graphical format, including mist and fog. These fail WCAG success criterion 1.4.5 Images of Text level AA. We expect this to be resolved by January 2026. 

  • There is no mechanism in the app to skip to content. This fails WCAG success criteria 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks level A and 2.4.3 Focus Order level A. We expect this to be resolved by January 2026. 

  • The screen reader's focus stays on background elements when the warning details bottom sheet is active which makes the modal's content inaccessible. This fails WCAG success criteria 2.4.3 Focus Order (Level A). We expect this to be resolved by January 2026. 

  • Accessing the locations snapshots, hourly information in the app, and closing the warning details bottom sheet relies on swipe gestures. These fail success criterion 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures level A. We expect this to be resolved by January 2026. 

  • The app does not use consistent terms for saving a location. This fails WCAG success criterion 3.2.4 Consistent Identification level AA. We expect this to be resolved by January 2026.  

  • The app lacks an error message when nothing is selected in the location saving screen and the user wants to save. This fails success criterion WCAG 3.3.1 Error Identification level A. We expect this to be resolved by January 2026. 

  • Some parts of the app are not navigable by keyboard. This fails WCAG success criterion 2.1.1 Keyboard level A. We expect this to be resolved by January 2026. 

  • We rely on native focus theming in the app, which may not meet 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast level AA, 2.4.7 Focus Visible level AA, 2.4.13 Focus Appearance level AAA. Creating a custom component is not in scope at this stage of beta testing. We expect this to be resolved by January 2026. 

  • Some text truncates to a limited number of lines and cannot be read in full using a tooltip. This fails success criterion 1.4.4 Resize Text. We expect this to be resolved by January 2026 
     

What we’re doing to improve accessibility 

This beta test app is an early test app. Not all features and functionality are implemented yet, including the non-compliances listed above. We are undertaking rigorous user testing whilst we continue to build and improve the app over the coming months. This includes testing with users who have access needs.  
 

Preparation of this accessibility statement 

This statement was first prepared in February 2025. It was last reviewed on 11th April 2025. 

This mobile application was last tested on 6th February 2025 following an audit carried out by our development team, using past audits of the Met Office app, and the NHS accessibility checklist, available at https://nhsdigital.github.io/accessibility-checklist/  

These were tested on a selection of devices and operating systems which are fully supported by the Met Office. 

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