Access for All

QA Higher Education is committed to providing a website that is accessible to all users. This commitment is in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No.2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. Content on our website is designed so that it is easy to find, read, understand and interact with.

This Accessibility Statement provides an overview of the accessibility features we have implemented on the website https://qa.ulster.ac.uk/

Due to the size and complexity of our web presence, this is an ongoing process.

If you have any questions regarding the accessibility of this site, please let us know by emailing qahe.marketing@qa.com

The Ulster University London and Birmingham branch campus website also contains links to third-party content. QA Higher Education is not responsible for the accessibility of this content and has no control over it. However, QA Higher Education is committed to working with partners to ensure material they are responsible for meets accessibility standards where possible and that they have their own accessibility statements. In addition, should you identify third-party content that you cannot access please let us know by emailing qahe.marketing@qa.com and we will endeavour to provide it in an alternative format or assist you in using it.

QA Higher Education also has responsibility for several other websites and platforms and each has their own Accessibility Statement.

Accessibility standards

QA Higher Education aims to make our web pages meet the required WCAG AA standard and adhere to level 1 and 2 guidelines set out in the International WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standard.

We endeavour to ensure that the website is responsive to different devices and enable browsers to accessibly change text sizes through the way the website has been designed and developed. Practical examples on how to use the website to maximise the user experience are set out below in the ‘Using the website’ section.

In addition, you could visit AbilityNet – an organisation supporting people with disability or impairment to use technology – who provide practical advice on making your device easier to use.

Website layout

The website uses Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to define presentation and layout. This provides an accessible platform for the use of screen reader access keys for navigating through the website.  We have also developed the layout to be adaptive to common devices e.g. Mobile and Tablet.

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

Some images do not have a text alternative, so people using a screen reader cannot access the information. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (non-text content).

We plan to add text alternatives for all images by the end of December 2020. When we publish new content we’ll make sure our use of images meets accessibility standards.

Content that’s 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. By September 2020, we plan to either fix these or replace them with accessible HTML pages.

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.

Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

Live video

We do not plan to add captions to live video streams because live video is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

Disproportionate burden

Should any issue be identified that cannot be fixed, as the cost of doing so would place a disproportionate burden on us, we will identify what those issues are, list them and explain why they cannot be fixed at that time. Any issues falling into this category will be reviewed.

Using the website

Below are a few helpful ways in which you can use the Ulster University London and Birmingham branch campus website more easily.

 

To enlarge text on the website and enhance readability on these browsers:

 

Chrome Using Microsoft Edge

 

Using Firefox

 

On the menu beside the navigation bar click the 3 dots

Increase the Zoom distance to suit your preference

On the menu beside the navigation bar click the 3 dots

Increase the Zoom distance to suit your preference

On the browser menu select ‘View’

Click ‘Text Size’

Choose to ‘increase’ size of text

To change text and/or colour on the site

 

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’).

Complaints Procedure

If you have contacted us to report a problem or issue with our website and are unhappy at the response you have received, you can complain to us at qahe.marketing@qa.com and we will investigate further.

Alternatively, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service. They advise and assist individuals on issues relating to equality and human rights, across England, Scotland and Wales.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

We have a rolling programme of updating content in accordance with the guidelines set out by the WCAG.

We will continue to review the accessibility of content across the Ulster University London and Birmingham branch campus website. The review process will:

  • Ensure this Accessibility Statement is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary;
  • Ensure that content is available in all possible, accessible formats and where this is not possible seek alternative formats as necessary;
  • Assign clear responsibilities in respect of accessibility and ensure ownership of it as appropriate;
  • Employ quality assurance methods to ensure the quality of accessible content.

Website development: Introducing Recite Me – Accessibility toolbar

To support our diverse range of customers, we are happy to announce that we now provide enhanced accessibility support online to enable access to information and services barrier-free. In September 2021, we introduced Recite Me’s assistive technology on our website which helps users to customise the web page in a way that works best for them.

To access the assistive toolbar on our website, click the “Accessibility” button at the top of our website. You can access the User Guide here.

Main features:

  • Screen reader to read content out loud
  • Customisable page styling options such as the ability to change the text size, font and colour and background colours
  • Reading tools such as a ruler to help read content line-by-line, a reading mask to eliminate distractions and a magnifier to zoom into sections
  • Fully integrated dictionary and thesaurus on site

We hope that users will find the toolbar helpful and are open to receiving feedback and suggestions for what further adjustments we might make.

For more information on Recite Me, check out their website here.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

QA Higher Education is committed to reviewing and improving the accessibility of our websites and platforms and welcome comment and feedback to support us to do this.

If you have difficulty in accessing the content of this site or have suggestions for improving the accessibility of content, please email qahe.marketing@qa.com and we will aim to provide the information in an alternative format and consider your suggestions.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 8 October 2020. It was last updated on 6 Sep 2021.