Key outputs

Key outputs

View the progress of the e-accessibility working group in 2024.

We aim to provide guidance and training across the University on meeting the 2018 regulations on digital accessibility. See the Training listed on the Digital Accessibility page.

The Digital Accessibility Tutorial is available to staff through the HR LMS (Learning Management System). Everyone is encouraged to complete this once a year to ensure you stay updated on the current regulations and ways to improve digital accessibility for everyone.

We run several projects to embed digital accessibility good practice in departments through working with staff and with student interns. We conduct user research workshops and other user experience research to inform our activities.

Outputs like the Captioning Policy adopted by the University remind academics that it is a requirement to provide accurate closed captions on pre-recordings.

Accessibility statements

Accessibility statements

The 2018 regulations require us to have accessibility statements on our websites that tell people:

• how accessible the sites are,
• what areas are not yet accessible and
• what we are doing to fix them.

The statements also provide information on how to get in touch to request alternative formats of resources or to report a problem. The 2018 regulations are monitored by the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) and Government Digital Service (GDS) and enforced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Complainants can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) directly.

We should aim to link to the accessibility statements of any third-party suppliers and actively choose suppliers who meet the accessibility regulations. See our guidance for help on accessible procurement and creating accessibility statements.

Some of our accessibility statements

• University of York website accessibility statement
• VLE (Blackboard) Accessibility Statement
• Online Study (Canvas) Accessibility Statement
• MyUoY App accessibility statement

Tools

Tools and practices for accessibility

One of the aims of the e-accessibility working group is to review, manage and recommend appropriate software requirements and licences to support e-accessibility across the University. Since the group started work in November 2018, we have acquired or installed the following:

• Siteimprove - Carries out automatic testing on the University website. (Note that user testing was also conducted.)
• Blackboard Ally - An accessibility checker for instructors using Blackboard. This also generates alternative formats for students and an accessibility report at an institution level.
• Mathtype - Mathtype licences allow instructors and students to type accessible maths in Microsoft Office.

We have also created a website for creating accessible equations:

• Accessible equations guide

Find out more about accessible tools and practices in our Digital Accessibility Skills Guide or our DigAcc A-Z.

Training

Training on digital accessibility

The group coordinates and plans training for all staff to ensure key accessibility principles are adopted when using digital systems. Training events are advertised on the e-accessibility calendar and include both internal and external events.

Awareness

A good starting point for anyone is to complete the online digital accessibility tutorial (available via HR LMS). This short interactive introduction to digital accessibility covers:

• the 2018 regulations,
• how to produce digital content that is universally accessible and
• how to make improvements that can help everyone.

Next, arrange a briefing for your team so that everyone is aware of how they can make improvements in relation to their areas of responsibility. 

Workshop

You should also attend the training workshop, Creating Accessible Documents, or complete the self-access version with the slides on the page. You can make arrangements for your team to receive a bespoke version of the workshop. Contact it-support@york.ac.uk.

Change your practice

Finally, talk to people in your team and those around you about digital accessibility:

• Do research into what helps those around you. You can read about how the DET and Library ran their user research workshop and follow their guide on how to run digital accessibility user research.
• Make a plan to improve your digital skills further with the staff digital skills framework
• Promote greater attendance at the digital skills training sessions for staff and students.

Making the internet a fairer place requires all of us to get involved! See Leading accessible practice in your department, inclusive teaching and learning and Empowering learners.

Assistive technology

Assistive technology

The E-accessibility working group is undertaking an audit of the assistive technology and equipment available for disabled staff and students.

Part of this work includes promoting good practice with the tools we already have (Microsoft Office Accessibility checker, Grackle, Blackboard Ally, Texthelp Read&Write, Texthelp EquatIO etc.). Another aspect is to evaluate and champion for the most effective tools for the users who need them (see the Tools tab). Finally, we need to ensure our staff and learners know how to maximise the technology at their disposal to cater for their needs.

Links for this tab: 

• Accessibility - IT services
• Digital Accessibility Practical Guide
• Blackboard Ally - Use documents your way

Champions

Department and Team Champions

A champion in your team or department can help to:

1. Ensure all staff are aware of the accessibility regulations 
• Promote the Digital Accessibility Tutorial and Creating Accessible Documents workshops
• Promote the regular monthly meetup where people can help each other to resolve sticky issues
2. Promote assistive technologies for use by staff and students in the department eg Blackboard Ally, Texthelp etc
3. Provide a sense of where people are at in becoming more accessibility savvy and organise any further training that the department may require

We hope that Departments will promote digital accessibility to their students too.

Contact Lilian Joy with your department or team champion.