We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.
You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.
To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:
On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.
On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.
Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.
It is important to ensure that all the content you enter into RDS toolkits complies with legal accessibility requirements. The standard operating procedure on accessible content will help you to do this.
As per the guidance above, all images in your toolkit should be accompanied with image alt text. Guidance on how to write effective alt text can be found here.
The below video outlines how to add alt text to images on the RDS.
Tip
Alt text does not appear visibly on your toolkit. It is added as information associated with the image, so it will be picked up by visitors who use screen-reading software. If you would like text to appear with your image, you should insert this as a caption instead.
RDS Learning and support