Accessibility statement
This accessibility statement applies to LifeLab’s Moodle learning platform "lifelabonline.org", run by the University of Southampton. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this learning platform. 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)
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use
if you have a disability.
How accessible is this learning platform?
We know some parts of this learning platform are not fully accessible and we are taking steps to address these areas as we develop the site:
- Videos do not always have captions
- Audio and video do not always have transcripts provided
- Some images / graphics used on the site do not have alternative text and are therefore not fully accessible to screen reader software
- Some images / graphics that feature in our downloadable materials are not of sufficiently high resolution and appear pixilated
- Some teaching resources available for download are not clearly labelled / identifiable out of context
Get in contact or report accessibility problems
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this learning platform. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please email lifelab@soton.ac.uk
You can also contact us if you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille. We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 30 days.
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).
Technical information about this learning platform’s accessibility
The University of Southampton is committed to making its learning platforms accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Compliance status
This learning platform is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to these non-compliances and exemptions.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
The following issues and areas of content are not compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA standard.
Principle 1: Perceivable - to meet WCAG 2.1 Principle 1: Perceivable we need to make sure users can recognise and use our service with the senses that are available to them.
This means we need to do better at:
- providing text alternatives (‘alt text’) for non-text content - we plan to add correct text alternatives for images as we review and amend each page
- providing transcripts for audio and video - we plan to provide transcripts for audio and video as we develop new resources and programmes
- providing captions for video – we plan to provide captions for videos for future programmes and resources
- making sure our content is structured logically and can be navigated and read by a screen reader
- using plain English - we plan to review and update all content on the site to meet this requirement
- making sure features look consistent and behave in predictable ways – we plan to ensure that all downloadable resources are clearly labelled and identifiable
Disproportionate burden
There are currently no issues on lifelabonline.org that we consider to be a disproportionate burden to fix.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
The following content does not fall within the scope of these regulations, and as such may be inaccessible.
Interactive maps
The regulations do not require interactive maps to be accessible, providing an accessible alternative is provided.
Live video streams
The regulations do not require that live video streams have captions, but we will strive to provide these where possible.
Third-party content
Third party content that is not funded, developed by, or under the control of the University of Southampton is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.
What the University is doing to improve accessibility
The University is currently undergoing a multi-year digital transformation project, known as OneWeb. This project aims to transform the University’s digital estate with a key focus on creating inclusive platforms, products and services.
The OneWeb blog provides more information about what we're doing to improve usability and accessibility.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 14th October 2021. It was last reviewed on 1st March 2022.
We will continue to test our site at regular intervals moving forward and will look to prioritise the areas that have the highest impact for the most users. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to get in contact at lifelab@soton.ac.uk to help us target our priorities.