This website is managed by the University of Sunderland. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:
- change colours, contrast levels and fonts.
- zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen.
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard.
- navigate most of the website using speech recognition software.
- listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver).
We have also tried to make the website text as simple to understand as possible.
You can find useful advice on making your device more easy to use by visiting AbilityNet, which provides step-by-step guides to making individual adjustments to your laptop, tablet or smart phone.
Where we have identified issues with the website’s accessibility or compatibility with assistive technologies they are listed in this statement.
How accessible this website is
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:
- some parts may not be fully compatible with screen readers.
- the text will not reflow in a single column when you change the size of the browser window.
- you cannot modify the line height or spacing of text.
- most older and some recent PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software.
- not all media will have a transcript or be subtitled.
- some images do not have good alternative text.
- colour contrast is not sufficient in some areas.
- some webpages may have non-consecutive headings.
- the purpose of some links may not be clear.
Feedback and contact information
If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:
Web: IT Portal
Email: webteam@sunderland.ac.uk
Call: +44 191 515 2424
We will consider your request and get back to you in five working days.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact: webteam@sunderland.ac.uk.
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’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).
Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person
Find out how to contact us.
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
The University of Sunderland is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Compliance status
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
Navigation and accessing information
- Some headings on webpages are not organised to appear in order. We will correct heading order as we review each page. (2.4.10 - Section Headings).
- It is not possible to use a keyboard to access all the content. We will ensure content can be navigated by keyboard as we review each page. (2.1 - Keyboard accessible).
- Some information is conveyed as an image of text rather than as text itself so that it's not compatible with screen readers and other assistive technology. We will ensure content conveyed as an image is replaced by HTML when we review each page. (1.4.5 - Images of text).
- Most tooltips disappear as soon as the cursor moves. Also, tooltips are not always present for all icons and images. We will reconsider tooltip usage when we review each page. (1.4.13 - Content on Hover or Focus).
- Some links are not labelled clearly, for example, they may not make sense when taken out of context. We will correct link text over time as we review each page. (2.4.4 – Link Purpose (In Context)).
Contrast
- There may not be sufficient colour contrast between font and background colours, especially where the text size is very small. We will change colours to ensure sufficient contrast when we review each page. (1.4.3 - Contrast (Minimum).
- White text such as 'We are the life changing/University of Sunderland' fails against the light colours of some of the background videos. This has been referred to our design agency to deliver an alternative design for our homepage which will address this. 1.4.3 - Contrast (Minimum).
- Visual information to identify user interface components, such as keyboard focus, do not always have a sufficient contrast ratio. We will correct contrast as we review each page. (1.4.11 - Non-text contrast).
Media
- Not all pre-recorded audio-only or video-only media will have alternative media that presents equivalent information e.g. audio track with description of the action in a video with no sound. We are working through all media, including that published prior to September 2018, to add these manually to ensure accuracy. (1.2.1 - Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)).
- Not all video will have subtitles or subtitles that identify all speakers as well as noting other significant sounds e.g. laughter. We are working through all media to add these manually to ensure accuracy. (1.2.2 - Captions (Prerecorded)).
PDFs and other documents
- Not all our PDFs and Word documents meet accessibility standards. From July 2020 onwards we are running a series of workshops and campaigns to highlight this issue and train users in how to audit and then improve the accessibility of these documents. (1.1.1 - Non-text Content; 2.4.5 - Multiple Ways; 1.3.2 - Meaningful Sequence; 1.4.5 - Images of Text).
Forms
- It might not be possible for all form fields to be programmatically determined. This means that when using auto-fill functionality for forms not all fields will identify the meaning for input data accurately. (1.3.5 - Identify Input Purpose).
- Google reCAPTCHA causes an accessibility error due to a missing label. We have researched and explored ways to fix this but have unfortunately not found a solution. We have tested with a screen reader and different browsers and it is still possible to interact with and solve the reCAPTCHA. Also using the audio test to solve additional verification works with a screen reader. It worked especially well using the Chrome browser.
- Some labels may not indicate the purpose of the fields they relate to. (2.4.6 – Headings and labels).
- OneTrust Cookie Notice. We do not have control over form elements that are missing labels in the OneTrust cookie notice. This has been notified to OneTrust.
Other
- While we have a 'Skip to content' link on every page when new users access the website they will receive our cookie consent banner at the bottom of the page. This cannot be skipped over as it is important to get consent for cookies to comply with the General Data Protection Regulations.
- Some iframes are missing the ‘Title’ tag (YouTube videos, Twitter feeds). (4.1.2 - Name, Role, Value).
- On some pages, the ID used for an element is not unique. (4.1.1 – Parsing).
We improve our website accessibility on a regular and continuous basis. See the section below ('What we are doing to improve accessibility') on how we are improving our site accessibility.
Disproportionate burden
We are not currently claiming that any accessibility problems would be a disproportionate burden to fix.
Interactive tools and transactions
Our site includes some content displayed via third-party tools or plug-ins, for example, interactive timelines. Depending on our relationship with the third party, we cannot always guarantee its accessibility. We plan to phase out use of these where they are inaccessible or provide the same content in an accessible format.
Content that is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
PDFs and other documents
Some of our PDFs and Word documents are essential to providing our services. For example, we have PDFs with information on how users can access our services, and forms published as Word documents. We plan to either fix these or replace them with accessible HTML pages as we review each page. We will also try to ensure any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards and where we find any that are not accessible, we will rectify this as soon as possible.
The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services. For example, we do not plan to fix archive material such as scholarship guidance notes published before 2018.
Regulations for PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018.
Maps
Our website uses online maps. Where there is a map, the information being displayed is provided in an alternative format on the same page.
Third-party content
Our website contains third-party content. We do not have control over and are not responsible for the accessibility of this content, but we make best endeavours to work with the third party to improve its accessibility. The problems that may occur include:
- Colour contrast issues
- Keyboard navigation not functional
- Videos closed captions missing
- Missing ALT tags
- Links to non-University of Sunderland websites
- Some headings are not tagged appropriately
What we are doing to improve accessibility
- A regular weekly central website audit using an automated service, followed by manual prioritisation of issues with key user journeys.
- Monthly meetings between web developer and web editor colleagues to identify and review accessibility issues, and outline a plan for their resolution.
- We use a design framework which is stable and has been tested for accessibility issues. This cuts down, but doesn't totally remove, the risk of web editors adding design elements that are not accessible.
- A full University web estate audit to assess issues with site accessibility, security and data protection.
- Support, guidance and training process in place for University staff to increase awareness of accessibility and what our responsibilities are.
- From July 2020 onwards we are running a series of workshops and campaigns to highlight the importance of accessibility and train users in how to audit and then improve the accessibility of published content and services.
- Accessibility improvements, bug fixes and development work to fix issues will be recorded to keep a record of work completed.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 22 September 2020. It was last reviewed on 15 July 2022.
This website was last tested in July 2022. The test was carried out by the University of Sunderland Web Team.
Our website is tested on a regular basis, with a new scan scheduled every seven days using an automated accessibility tool provided by LittleForest. This tool tests all web pages and provides a report on accessibility issues. Manual checks are also performed on a sample of pages on www.sunderland.ac.uk.
Issues are prioritised according to the severity of the impact it may cause, the number of people that may be impacted and the time involved in resolving the issue.