LibGuides is the platform that we use to host the E-resources Guide, Practical Guides, Subject Guides and Skills Guides at the University of York. You are likely to use LibGuides to access bibliographic databases, information about library resources for your subject and online skills training. LibGuides is supplied by Springshare and the platform meets Web Content Accessibility 2.0 (further information about the accessibility of LibGuides can be found in their VPAT). This document explains how accessible our website currently is and how we plan to improve it.

We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

• zoom in to at least 200% without the text spilling off the screen
• resize to a single column with no horizontal scrolling
• navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
• listen to most of the website using a screen reader
• find content using multiple methods (e.g. navigation menu and search feature)
• you can 'skip to main content' by using tab on your keyboard

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

The IT Services accessibility page provides information on assistive software which may help in using our systems and websites.

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.

How accessible is our website?

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

• a limited number of documents are in PDF format
• image galleries and carousels can’t be operated using a keyboard alone
• some live video streams do not have captions
• some images don’t display alt-text for images
• some links don’t have discernible text (icons)
• a small number of interactive items may not be accessible using keyboard navigation
• in a small number of instances text may have insufficient contrast against the background colour

We are currently addressing these issues by adding in appropriate alt-text into images, captioning video content and updating older content (eg interactive tutorials, pdfs) to make it accessible.

Alternative formats

You can use the self-service facility, Sensus Access, which is provided by the Library to allow you to create alternative formats. If you need specific academic support and adjustments, do seek advice from our disabilities advisers.

Learn how to make better use of alternative formats: Managing your reading Skills Guide; Accessibility Skills Guide.

Reporting accessibility problems

If you find any problems not listed on this page, or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, you can 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, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

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.

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

Issues with text

• Some pages have incorrect heading structures.
• Some links do not make sense when read out of context, using text such as ‘click here’.
• Some pages contain multiple links which use the same link text but point to different destinations.
• Some pages contain text which is not as simple as possible to understand.

Issues with images

• Some images which need a description do not have any alternative (alt) text.
• Some decorative images have alt text which should be blank.
• Some images have inappropriate alt text, such as copyright information for the image.

Issues with PDFs and other documents

• Some information is only available in formats such as PDF or Microsoft Word.
• Not all PDFs have been designed for accessibility.

Issues with tables

• Some pages contain tables which do not have headers.
• Some pages use tables for layout purposes.

Issues with audio and video

• Some videos do not have captions.
• Some videos use automatically generated captions, which may be inaccurate.

Issues with keyboard navigation

• Image galleries and carousels may not be navigable with a keyboard.
• Some elements which reveal hidden content - such as tabbed content - may be difficult to use, particularly when used with a screen reader.

Issues with interactive tools

Some of our pages contain content from systems provided by an external supplier. We are aware of accessibility issues with some of these tools. We will be reporting such issues to suppliers and working with them to improve the accessibility of their tools.

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.
• An e-accessibility working group has been formed, with representation from services from around the University. 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.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 19 February 2020. It was last reviewed on 7th February 2024.

This website was last tested on 7th February 2024. The test was carried out manually, and using the WAVE Accessibility Evaluation Tool.