Accessibility Statement for systems and websites managed by Libraries and Learning Innovation (LLI) at Leeds Beckett University
LLI uses a number of systems and websites to deliver its service to students and staff of the University. We want as many people as possible to use these and we work with platform owners and content creators to ensure this.
The table below:
| Name and provider of system / site | Link to Accessibility Statement / information on accessibility | Additional information |
|---|---|---|
| Library Website and associated functions (FAQs / Room Bookings / Tutorials / Chat) (Springshare) | Sprinshare Accessibility Statement |
Chat window used overnight will be retired during 2019 and replaced with alternative system (Sept 2019). This is progressing. planned for Spring 2020 (Feb 2020). We have manually audited a sample of our Library website pages and identified a number of areas of non-compliance which we are beginning to address (Feb 2020). We have created guidelines for providing ALT-Text for images and this is currently being used to ensure new FAQs are accessible (Feb 2020). An Accessibility Statement has now been produced for the Library website and associated functions (June 2020). |
| MyBeckett (Blackboard) | Accessibility in Blackboard Learn |
We have created a guide for academic colleagues on designing accessible content for students using MyBeckett (Feb 2020). We are planning to offer training for academic colleagues on producing accessible content during summer 2020 (June 2020).
|
| Skills for Learning (In-house) | Skills for Learning Accessibility Statement |
Website being rebuilt during 2019/20 (Sept 2019). The new website uses the Springshare platform used by the Library website so should have the same accessibility features. An audit will be carried out before its launch in September 2020 and a Statement produced (June 2020). Guidance documents and training are being provided to our Academic Support Team to ensure the content they produce for this platform is accessible (June 2020). |
| Reading Lists (Talis) | Talis Web Accessibility Statement |
Liaising with supplier re linking to this from within the system (Sept 2019). Each reading list now has a link to the Statement from within the system toolbar (Feb 2020). We have created alternative format reading lists (Sept 2019). 61 students were registered and 154 reading lists shared in semesters one (Feb 2020). |
| Discover (Ebsco) | Ebsco Accessibility Information | |
| Catalogue (Sirsi Dynix) | Library Catalogue Accessibility Statement |
The US based supplier states that the next upgrade to this system (the Enterprise version) will provide increased accessibility (Sept 2019). We are currently updating the email messages we send from our existing system and are checking these with a screen reader to ensure they are accessible (Feb 2020). We have created an Accessibility Statement for this system as we have been unable to obtain one from the supplier (June 2020). LLI is currently undertaking a tendering process for a new Library Management System and Catalogue which includes adherence to WCAG. A new supplier will be selected during summer 2020 for implementation in 2021 (June 2020). |
| PebblePad (PebblePad) | PebblePad Accessibility Overview | Portfolio system with content mainly uploaded by students (Sept 2019). |
| Turnitin (Turnitn) | Turnitin Commitment to Accessibility |
We have identified an issue with the Turnitin Feedback Studio for students who use screen readers or voice over to have web content read aloud. We are liaising with our the supplier who does provide some information on their website and updating our guidance with practical solutions (Feb 2020). Information about accessing a text-only version of Turnitin Similarity Reports and some of the current known limitations have been added to our student FAQS (June 2020). |
| Repository (Eprints) | Eprints Accessibility Statement | We are liaising with the supplier about an Accessibility Statement to replace this in-house information (June 2020). |
| Research Information System (Symplectic) |
We use the most recent version of this software which states that it has added new accessibility features but does not elaborate (Sept 2019). We are liaising with the supplier about an Accessibility Statement (June 2020). |
|
| Ebook Collections - various suppliers | eBook Collections - links to Accessibility information |
LLI was a lead partner on the ebook accessibility project and continues to work closely with suppliers (Sept 2019). We are beginning work to add publisher Accessibility Statements to the information on our Ebook Collections web page (Feb 2020). Each eBook platform has its accessibility FAQ containing a link to the platform Accessibility Statement. These are linked to from the eBook Collections and the Database A-Z page (June 2020). |
| Ejournal Collections - various suppliers |
LLI uses preferred licensing guidelines when purchasing electronic resources which includes key accessibility measures (Sept 2019). We feed back to suppliers where their platform or content isn't accessible (Sept 2019). We are liaising with JISC Collections who are contacting key publishers on behalf of individual institutions to obtain Accessibility Statements. We are also working with other institutions in the Northern Collaboration group to coordinate contacting other publishers for the same information. Once Statements are available we will provide access to them from within our Database and Journal A-Z list (Feb 2020). Work continues in this area (June 2020). |
|
| Digitised readings created under the CLA licence | CLA Accessibility Policy |
Policy doesn't cover content uploaded - will be queried with CLA (Sept 2019). The CLA intend to provide guidelines for customers in providing accessible documents (Feb 2020). We enquired about progress on this in May 2020 and were advised that guidelines and an Accessibility Statement should be available by September 2020 (June 2020). We have supplied examples of our requirements to scanner suppliers to test the results in terms of accessibility as part of our procurement process for a new scanner (Feb 2020). |
| E-theses |
Electronic formats of PhD theses supplied by third party (students). Retrospective will not have considered accessibility; guidance will be provided for new submissions (Sept 2019). Information is now included in our E-theses and copyright guide (Feb 2020). |
|
| Teach learn staff web pages (Sitecore) | Sitecore Accessibility Information | Content on main university website (Sept 2019).
Sample pages are currently being audited for accessibility and accessibility of all University website content held in Sitecore will be a key part of the website 2020 project, for which the University has a content strategy (Feb 2020). An Accessibility Statement is currently being prepared for these pages (June 2020). |
| Library blog (Sitecore) | Sitecore Accessibility Information |
Content on main university website (Sept 2019). Accessibility of all University website content held in Sitecore will be a key part of the website 2020 project, for which the University has a content strategy (Feb 2020). |
| Social media applications (Various) |
Although we are aware that social media platforms are out of scope we try to upload accessible content where possible (Sept 2019). We have identified further improvements to ensure our content and posts are as accessible as possible and training is currently being planned (Feb 2020). Training is taking place during summer 2020 (June 2020). |
|
| Archive and Special Collections web pages |
These pages are created within the same content management system as our Library website but have a customised template. This is being updated for September 2020 and an Accessibility Statement will be provided at the same time (June 2020). |
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
The Library’s software page provides information on assistive software which may help in using our systems and websites.
We know some parts of the websites and systems we use are not fully accessible - details are provided in the individual Accessibility Statements.
If you need information on the content of our systems and websites in a different format (for example accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille) please Contact Us.
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of our systems and websites. If you find any problems or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact h.loughran@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
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).
The Library supports the use of The Next Generation Text Service. Alternatively you can contact us by email or online chat.
The Advice Points in the Library have audio induction loops. Please note the Library buildings are temporarily closed.
You can find out all the ways you can get in touch with us on the Library website Contact Us page.
Leeds Beckett University is committed to making its websites accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
The websites and systems used by LLI are partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
Please note these are a sample of non-compliances; individual Statements will provide more information.
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Some of the ways in which our websites and systems are not yet compliant with the Regulations are:
External content
We link to external pages and other Leeds Beckett University pages which may not be accessible.
We have created a roadmap to improve accessibility:
1. Assign member of staff responsible for undertaking audits of our systems and websites by September 2019.
A part-time member of staff has been identified and began work in October 2019. We are also exploring additional support for this work.(Feb 2020). A further part-time member of staff is now working to support this (June 2020).
2. Identify tools and methodology for audits by October 2019
Identified by January 2020. We are linking to supplier Accessibility Statements where possible (see the table above) and undertaking manual audits via sampling where these are not available (June 2020).
3. Audit systems and websites by March 2020
We are sampling web pages as part of the first system to be audited (the Library website). The outcomes of this work show that we will be unable to meet the original plan of March 2020 – we will work to identify more effectively the full resource needed to complete this work. (Feb 2020). The impact of Covid-19 has meant we have not been able to progress as far as we had hoped with this but an additional 0.5 resource is now supporting the work. The complexity of manually checking our websites and systems means the work is taking longer than initially estimated but this is accompanied by an in-depth understanding of best practice in improving accessibility which is concurrently being shared across the whole service.(June 2020).
4. Produce Accessibility Statements for each of our systems and websites by July 2020
We will produce Statements as quickly as we can and continue to work with providers to link to their Statements where that is appropriate. In the meantime we will use this overarching Statement to document our progress.
5. Identify actions to be undertaken by ourselves or in conjunction with our providers by July 2020.
As above it is unlikely that we will meet this deadline for all our systems and websites but we will identify a list of actions and begin work to address these as quickly as possible. We are currently working on a list of actions to ensure the Library website is compliant (Feb 2020). Separate Accessibility Statements now document actions towards compliance (June 2020).
6. Monitor progress towards full compliance by September 2020
This statement was prepared on 22 June 2020. It was last reviewed on 20 June 2020.
Note: This statement replaces the Statement prepared on 20 September 2019 which was in the previous version of the template published by Government Digital Services.
