This accessibility statement applies to the Library website and associated functions i.e. FAQs, online chat, appointment and room bookings, forms and online tutorials created using the LibWizard platform, at https://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/. Individual accessibility statements for other Library systems can be accessed via the Library Services Accessibility Statement page.
This website is run by Leeds Beckett University. It has been created using the LibGuides platform which is provided by Springshare. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:
We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.
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 this website are not fully accessible:
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 email libraryaltformats@leedsbeckett.ac.uk. We'll consider your request and get back to you within 5 working days.
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 d.morris@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 email us or contact us by online chat.
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 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 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
In Discover, at 400% zoom, the sticky page header covers most of the page, making content hard to read. Additionally, the chat icon partly covers the 'Sign In' link in the header. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.10 Reflow. We have raised this with the provider as a matter of urgency and they have advised that it will be fixed by December 2024. We will continue to press them for an earlier resolution date and have created an FAQ for users explaining the issue (under ‘Known issues’ on our Discover FAQs page).
In our LibWizard forms and tutorials such as Get Help, in Chrome mobile view (320x256) when the burger menu is expanded, the menu fills the whole page and although all links can be accessed, the burger menu link is then hidden so it doesn't appear to be possible to close the menu. Additionally, when zoomed to 400%, the burger menu sometimes cannot be accessed without horizontal scrolling. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.10 Reflow. We are working on these issues and aim to have them resolved by the end of August 2024. In the meantime we offer accessible alternative options.
On the Book a Study Space – Sheila Silver Library and Book a Study Space – Headingley Library pages, there is a link that receives keyboard focus which is not visible. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.7 (Focus Visible). This issue is inbuilt to our externally provided system. It was reported to the provider (Springshare) on 3 July 2024 and is being addressed by their LibCal Development team who aim to have it resolved by the end of September 2024.
We continue to work on resolving these issues and will update this statement when we receive further information.
External content
We link to external pages, documents and other Leeds Beckett University pages and information which may not be accessible.
Social media tools
The Library website has embedded content from various free social media tools. We aim for all content we publish via these to be accessible, however the accessibility of the platforms and any content we repost from other accounts is outside of our control.
We are currently investigating and working to fix the accessibility issues we have identified and detailed in the Non-accessible content section above. New content added to the website continues to be checked for accessibility.
WCAG 2.2 was published on 5 October 2023 and added six new criteria for compliance at level AA. We assessed the Library website and associated functions against the new criteria and updated this statement and our internal accessibility guidance accordingly. The provider of our website system is also planning upcoming changes to its appearance, likely to take place in 2025. Once these have happened we will look to carry out a full audit against all WCAG 2.2 criteria on a larger sample of pages.
This statement was prepared on 17 June 2020. It was last reviewed on 22 July 2024.
A sample of pages from this website was externally audited for accessibility in June 2024.
The pages audited were: Home; Contact; Chat; Deposit your Ethesis; Search Results; Accessibility Statement.
Some accessibility issues were identified which we have either resolved or listed in the Non-accessible content section above.
We also conducted an internal audit of the site. A sample of 23 pages was selected to cover the following categories: Home page; Contact page; Pages containing: Text-based content, Images, Video, Interactive tools and transactions, Forms, Documents, Accessibility information and Search boxes. The sample contained the following pages:
Welcome; Contact Us; Degree apprentices; Guest users; Choosing your device for University; Staff; Multi-factor authentication; Printing, scanning and copying; Reading Lists; Film & Television; eThesis policy; Study Support Software Finder; International students request a Library tour form; QuickScan: dyslexia screening questionnaire; Accessibility statements; Library Disability Support – Welcome and help; Library Disability Support - Software; Privacy statement; FAQ: How do I register for MFA?; FAQ: What does CC-BY mean/ What is a creative commons licence?; FAQ: How do I connect a Macbook or iOS device to RemoteApp?; FAQ: How do I access NVivo?; FAQ: How many people can look at an eBook at the same time?.
The testing was carried out by an individual member of Leeds Beckett University Library staff with advice and input from colleagues. Content was tested manually for conformance with WCAG 2.2 Level AA. The Gov.uk detailed checklist was used for testing, supported by guidance notes compiled from various sources including Understanding WCAG 2.2, and tools such as Colour Contrast Checker, Axe and WAVE Evaluation Tool. Testing was carried out using a Windows PC (Chrome or Edge browser) or a mobile device as appropriate.
Issues identified so far have been resolved or listed in the Non-accessible content section above.
We are continuing to carry out further accessibility checks across our website.
We also carry out regular ongoing sample checking of website content and FAQs to help us identify and resolve any accessibility issues.
