4Viewers

Channel 4 iOS App Accessibility Statement

Channel 4 committed to providing a video on demand service that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of ability, capability or technology.

At Channel 4 we routinely check our apps - when amendments are made to existing screens and when new elements and features are released - to ensure that they meet our accessibility requirements, and we do respond positively to feedback regarding the accessibility of any of our screens or services. We aim to conform to the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C's) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, to AA level, wherever possible.

How accessible is this app?

We aim to provide the most accessible experience possible for our visitors and have implemented the following accessibility features:

Navigation

  • Logical and consistent navigation is provided for users
  • Bluetooth keyboard compatible in most areas of the app
  • Clickable elements can be understood out of context for screen reader users
  • Search facilities have been implemented to find programmes quickly

Screen reader navigation using VoiceOver

If you are using a screen reader, you will be able to navigate through the app using Voiceover.

Changing the colour and font of the display

Channel 4 does not currently offer alternate colour schemes. However, you can invert colours within the iOS device settings area.

Access Services

Subtitles
Subtitles are enabled on our iOS app. Content can be watched with Subtitles where an 'S' icon is displayed.

Audio Description
Audio Description is enabled on our iOS app. Content can be watched with Audio Description where an 'AD' icon is displayed.

BSL Signed
BSL Signed content is currently limited on the Channel 4 streaming service. However where signed content is available this will be clearly signposted within the app. We are looking to increase the level of Signed content on Channel 4 streaming, and aim to make improvements in this area as soon as possible.

Accessibility Limitations

We know some parts of the app are not fully accessible:

  • We are aware that the app cannot be turned into landscape mode other than during playback.
  • Some limitations have been identified for users of a Bluetooth keyboard within the app.
  • We are aware that when enabling larger text sizes via iOS settings, there are some issues that we have been unable to avoid at this time:
    • Some instances of text may be cut short due to limitations with cell height. However, whenever information is critical to the user (e.g. when prompted to accept a particular setting in the app), we have avoided this by making these components scrollable.
    • Some instances of text may be cut short, due to limitations with height of the text. However, whenever information is critical to the user (e.g. when prompted to accept a particular setting in the app), we have avoided this by making these components scrollable
    • On certain small screen devices (iPhone 5S, iPhone SE 1st Gen), the Continue Watching title and 'Edit' labels are quite close together. This has no impact on functionality.
    • When a user opens the ‘Watch More’ feature in the player, the episode title is hidden until the user minimises controls.
    • There are areas in the app where text components are returned by third parties, and we are unable to resize the text of these components currently.
    • There may be some overlapping issues.

We are making every effort to overcome these limitations by improving their accessibility. If you experience any accessibility problems with our app, please contact us.

Assistive Technologies

The following assistive technologies have found to be compatible with the app except for areas that have accessibility limitations.

  • VoiceOver
  • Bluetooth keyboard

Further formation can be found in our accessibility help pages.

Accessibility Guidelines

This app has been reviewed against level AA of the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) and conforms wherever possible. These guidelines are the internationally recognised benchmark for building accessible web sites and apps. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines explain how to make websites and apps more accessible for people with disabilities. Conformity to these guidelines also makes websites and apps more user-friendly for all people.

Accessibility Accreditation

Such is our commitment to accessibility, we have requested a review of this app by the Digital Accessibility Centre. The app is constantly being improved in order to attain Digital Accessibility Centre accreditation.

For more information about Digital Accessibility Centre accessibility auditing, please visit the Digital Accessibility Centre website (opens in new window).

Contact Us

We are always looking for ways to help people get the best experience from this app.

If there is information you think that should be included on this page, or if you experience any problem accessing the app then please feel free to contact us.

You can call us on 0345 076 0191 or, for deaf viewers, we have a minicom text phone 0345 073 0059 and you can also contact us via a BSL interpreter.  Details can be found via this link.

 You can also write to us at Channel 4 Enquiries, PO Box 1058, Belfast BT1 9DU.