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Library Archives and Learning Services - systems accessibility statements

Yorsearch

The University of York Library, Archives & Learning Services - Systems accessibility statements

YorSearch Web Accessibility Statement

This page explains how accessible our website currently is and how we plan to improve it

YorSearch is a web-based discovery system from Ex Libris (Primo) used to search the University of York Library’s collections.

Primo is continually designed and developed to meet Level AA of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) and Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act for features and functions.

The University is committed to providing equality of access to services and facilities This page provides information about accessibility features and limitations of YorSearch. It also provides tips and tools for improving your experience using YorSearch.

On most pages on our website you should be able to:

  • change colours, contrast levels and fonts
  • zoom in up to 500% without the text spilling off the screen
  • navigate using just a keyboard
  • navigate using speech recognition software
  • listen to content using a screen reader.

AbilityNet’s My Computer My Way pages have advice on adjustments you can make to your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone to make it easier to use.

We use Siteimprove to monitor the accessibility of our website. We currently score 81 out of 100 for accessibility, based on the automated tests it carries out.

We conduct regular user research with students using assistive software.

Parts of this website that are not fully accessible

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

  • In a small number of areas, keyboard-only navigation is difficult or not possible.
  • Some interface elements and status messages cannot be fully determined programmatically
  • There are some areas where text and icons fail to meet minimum colour contrast standards.
  • Some areas do not reflow properly when the browser is zoomed or spacing is adjusted.
  • Two elements have missing or incorrect text alternatives.
  • In two instances, content appears on hover.

Reporting accessibility problems

If you find any problems not listed on this page, or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please report an accessibility issue.

If you are not happy with our response

University of York students and applicants can follow our complaints 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, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

The University of York is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Detailed information about this website's accessibility

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, because of the issues below:

Keyboard Access

Most of Primo can be navigated with a keyboard alone, but there are a small number of areas that are currently inaccessible or hard to use:

  • The pagination links that are displayed on the bottom left corner of the screen are not accessible via keyboard.
  • In the More from the same course, More from the same collection, and Virtual Browse sections, the keyboard focus is not visible.
  • The Related Reading suggestions are not keyboard navigable. 

Screen Reader Access

Primo is designed to be used with screen readers. User interface components are given accessible names, roles and values that can be determined and read by assistive technologies. However, there are some features which are currently inaccessible or hard to use:

  • In the My Library Card > Loans section, checkboxes have the state “half checked” when they are actually “checked.”
  • Email functionality: When no email address is entered in the “To” field, an error appears visually but is not announced.
  • Some page titles are not sufficiently descriptive and read-only “Discovery.” These pages include Journal Search, User Overview, User Loans, User Personal Details, My Favourites > Search history, and Citation Trail.
  • Thumbnail images of search results may not have alternative text.

Responsive Design

Primo is built to be responsive, meaning you should be able to use all of Primo’s features regardless of the device you are using, the zoom level in your browser or the orientation (vertical or horizontal) of the device. There are a few areas that may cause difficulty when text is zoomed beyond 200%. Text is clipped in:

  • The Overview, Blocks + Messages, and Personal details tabs
  • The My Favourites and Search History” sections
  • The Permalink, Email, and Show all options buttons
  • The Citation Trail feature

In addition, the pagination controls are not displayed when the browser is zoomed to 400%. Part of content (for example, resource title) might be not visible due to "BACK TO RESULTS LIST" overriding its view.

Colour Contrast

While most text throughout Primo meets minimum colour contrast standards, there are cases where text and icons do not have enough contrast with the background colour.

If colour contrast is a concern for you, we recommend utilizing one of the free browser plugins that can increase text/background colour contrast, such as the High Contrast extension for Google Chrome.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

  • We are reviewing and updating our website content to ensure that it is accessible.
  • We are adding accessibility guidance to our training and documentation for staff who edit the website, including checklists to follow. Training on creating accessible documents is also available to staff.
  • There is an e-accessibility working group, with representation from services from around the University, which meets regularly. The group is leading on several initiatives to make digital content easier for everyone to use.
  • External suppliers of our online systems have been asked about the standards that their systems meet, and when they plan to meet the required standards if they do not already do so. All new system procurements will ask suppliers to provide information about accessibility standards.
  • We are ensuring that our development processes include accessibility considerations and testing as standard.

How we tested this website

Primo code is checked for accessibility using a range of automated and manual checks including but not limited to:

Primo is tested on the latest versions of Firefox, Safari, Chrome and Edge, and on devices including Mac and Windows computers, and Android and iOS devices.

  • Colour Contrast Analyzer provided by WebAIM
  • Deque aXe accessibility testing tool
  • High Contrast Chrome extension
  • Keyboard-access manual testing and assessment
  • WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation tool) provided by WebAIM
  • AWS with Windows

Review date

This statement was prepared on 6th January 2022. It was last reviewed on 20th September 2023.

This website was last tested on 20th September 2023. The test was carried out manually, and using the axe DevTools v4.23.0.