Accessibility statement for The Open University in Scotland

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

This accessibility statement applies to The Open University in Scotland website. 

We want as many people as possible to be able to use our websites and mobile apps, and accessibility is an essential part of our mission. On our Accessibility hub, you'll find everything you need to answer any questions you have about accessibility, whether you're a student or a member of staff.

To adapt the content to your needs or preferences you should be able to:

• Change colours, contrasts levels and fonts.
• Resize text up to 200% without impact on the functionality of the website.
• Zoom in up to 400% without loss of information or functionality. 
• Navigate the website using just a keyboard.
  • tab to ‘Skip to content’ links at the top of the page to jump over repetitive information to the main content
  • tab through the content; the current location will be indicated by a clear visual change
  • control the embedded media player to play audio and video materials.
• Use a screen reader (e.g. JAWs, NVDA) to:
  • listen to the content of web pages and use any functionality on the page.
  • list the headings and subheadings in the page and then jump to their location on the page.
  • bring up a list of meaningful links on the page.
• Use transcripts or closed captions with most audio and video materials.
• Download learning materials in alternative formats (e.g. Word document, PDF, ePub, Kindle eBook).
• If you have a print disability we provide SensusAccess to students, which is an automated service that converts files from one format to another, for example, PDF to text, audio, Word or Braille.
• AbilityNet also provides advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and the exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reason(s):

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Colour contrast:
Some link text does not have enough contrast with the surrounding text. There needs to be enough contrast between text and background colour so that it’s readable by people with low vision, with colour vision deficiencies (colour blindness) or in rare cases those individuals who see no colour at all. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.4.3: Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA) and will be resolved by the end of March 2025.

Link text: 
Some links which open PDF documents do not include file size information within the link text. Links always need clear and descriptive text so that everyone can understand where the link will take them.  This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 2.4.4: Link Purpose (In Context) (Level A) and will be resolved by the end of March 2025.

Skip links: 
Some skip links cannot be activated by keyboard. Skip navigation links (skip links) allow people using keyboards to quickly access the main content of a website. Skip links are depended on by screen reader users or people who use keyboard-only navigation. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 2.1.1 Keyboard and will be resolved by the end of March 2025. 

The content is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

Video: 
Wherever possible we provide captions, audio descriptions and transcripts for video. Sometimes these alternatives are not available. Pre-recorded time-based media published before 23 September 2020 is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 19 August 2024. 

This Open University in Scotland website was last tested on 14 August 2024.

The tests were carried out by the Marketing and Communications Team at The Open University in Scotland, on a sample of pages. The pages were chosen to be representative of different types of content and platform. Each sample page was tested against all of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA criteria, using a combination of manual and automated test methods. Test methods included:

• Axe DevTools browser extension for Chrome for testing: colour contrast, form labels and link text. 
• The W3C tool for testing: alternative text, content structure, language of page, keyboard navigation and skip links. 
• Browsersize online tool for testing: content resize. 
• Keyboard-only testing.

Feedback and contact information

If you find that a certain section of our website is not accessible and you can’t get access to the information that you need please use the Open University Accessibility Feedback Form to request support and we will ensure that you are provided with the information you require. You will need to provide your contact details and Personal Identifier if you are a student so we can get back to you. You should expect to hear back from us within 5 working days. 

The OU is very experienced in meeting accessibility needs for our students. In many cases we are able to provide module and other study support materials in alternative formats for students who indicate a need for this when completing a Disability Support Form.

In addition, some module materials are available in different formats and can be downloaded from module websites. Students can contact their Student Support Team for advice.

If you are a student, or someone who has had contact with the University before, and have a complaint about the accessibility of our websites, you should raise a complaint via the complaints and appeals process. 

Enforcement 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 are based in the UK, and you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).