Accessibility statement
Web accessibility is essential for disabled people and useful for everyone in a variety of situations.
On this page I tēnei whārangi
This accessibility statement applies to the Business Connect services at:
Our commitment to accessibility
The Business Connect team at the Ministry for Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) is committed to ensuring our platform is accessible to the widest possible audience, including individuals with disabilities. We continually strive to meet evolving accessibility standards and make our platform usable for everyone.
You should be able to use our Business Connect platform to:
- change colours, contrast levels, and fonts
- zoom in up to 200% without text spilling off the screen
- navigate the platform using only a keyboard
- use speech recognition software to navigate and interact with the platform
- listen to the content using screen readers (latest versions of NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
- easily understand the written content, following the Plain Language Act 2022.
Compliance and accessibility standards
Our goal is to:
- meet the NZ Web Accessibility Standard 1.2 at Level AA as per the New Zealand Government Web Accessibility Standard
- ensure compatibility with major browsers, platforms, and assistive technologies.
While we have made progress, we acknowledge that not all parts of the platform are fully accessible yet, and we are working towards full compliance with NZ Web Accessibility Standard 1.2.
Web Accessibility Standard 1.2(external link) — Digital.govt.nz
Current accessibility barriers
We are committed to addressing the following accessibility issues:
- Screen reader mode switching: Screen readers were found to switch between form and browse modes unexpectedly, impacting navigation.
- Form element clarity: Inconsistent interaction patterns and form navigation were observed, especially for screen reader users. Form labels, headings, and radio buttons need clearer, consistent coding.
- Keyboard navigation: Some elements, like the "Select your account" panel, are not navigable using a keyboard only. Logical tab orders will be improved.
- Filter chips: Filter chips are not announced as filters to screen readers and do not provide feedback when selected.
Barriers in the backlog
- Dynamic IDs in Accessible Rich Internet Application (ARIA) elements: Dynamic IDs generated by the application engine are not unique, causing issues with assistive technologies.
Fixed as of December 2025
- headings hierarchy is more logical and consistent
- elements description is programmatically associated with element
- fixed accessibility issues for grouping elements (checkboxes and radio buttons)
- fixed multiple keyboard traps
- improved interaction for screen reader users.
Planned improvements
We will focus on the following improvements in 2026:
- addressing screen reader interaction issues, ensuring seamless navigation without forced mode changes
- fixes for accessibility issues with combo box (dropdown) elements
- the introduction of a more accessible date picker component.
Testing and browser support
The Business Connect platform undergoes regular accessibility testing, combining automated tools and manual testing with assistive technologies. Independent testing is conducted as needed to identify and resolve issues.
Testing tools used
- Axe Browser Plugin
- browser accessibility reports
- general HTML and visual inspection using developer tools.
Reporting an accessibility problem
We are always looking to improve the accessibility of our platform. If you encounter any problems or believe we are not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact us at:
We will review your request and respond within 10 working days.
FormBuilder Tool
Our FormBuilder tool is designed to help government agencies create accessible and user-friendly forms. This tool is designed for desktop devices, and we recommend using Google Chrome as the browser. This section focuses exclusively on the accessibility of the FormBuilder tool.
We aim to:
- meet the NZ Web Accessibility Standard 1.2 at Level AA, in line with the New Zealand Government Web Accessibility Standard
- ensure compatibility across major browsers, platforms, and assistive technologies, so that our tool is usable by everyone within government.
Web Accessibility Standard 1.2(external link) — Digital.govt.nz
Current progress and ongoing work
We acknowledge that not all areas of the FormBuilder tool are fully accessible yet. We are actively working towards full compliance with NZ Web Accessibility Standard 1.2.
Web Accessibility Standard 1.2(external link) — Digital.govt.nz
What has changed
Previously, FormBuilder relied on drag-and-drop functionality to add components. We have removed this feature because it created accessibility barriers, particularly for users relying on assistive technologies.
Instead, we have introduced an Add Component button. This allows you to insert components directly where you want them, making the process more accessible and easier to use.
What we are working on
In addition to this improvement, we are addressing other accessibility barriers in our backlog:
- keyboard focus elements, which ensure roles are programmatically determinable for users navigating via keyboard
- keyboard sequencing, to improve the logical flow of keyboard navigation
- semantic and interactive element naming, to provide accurate naming for main components that enhances clarity and usability.
Our commitment to accessibility is ongoing, and we continue to prioritise enhancements to make FormBuilder fully accessible. If you encounter any problems or believe we are not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact us at:
We will review your request and respond within 10 working days.
Statement prepared on: 08 December 2025
Last independent test: July 2024, completed by the Access Advisors.