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Accessibility Statement for Queen's DigiHub

Introduction

Queen’s DigiHub, managed by Queen’s University Belfast, is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards to guarantee we provide equal access to all users. 

Compliance Status

In compliance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018, Queen’s DigiHub strives to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 level AA. 

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below. (Full guidelines are available at: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1) 

Non accessible content

The following items to not comply with the WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria: 

  • It is not possible to use a keyboard to access all the content 
  • Not all prerecorded 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 
  • Not all video will have subtitles or subtitles that identify all speakers as well as noting other significant sounds e.g. laughter 
  • Not all PDF’s and Word documents meet accessibility standards 

For those issues we have control over, a solution or significant improvement will be in place by September 2024. 

For any issues associated with the WordPress platform or any of the themes/plugins we use, we will report the issues to the developers as soon as we are made aware of them. 

Enhanced Accessibility Features

Queen’s DigiHub incorporates the UserWay.org accessibility plugin, which provides a suite of advanced accessibility features. This tool allows users to customise their accessibility preferences with various accessibility profiles, including options for vision-impaired users, keyboard navigation for motor-impaired individuals, and more.  

UserWay is designed to enhance website accessibility for users with specific needs. This widget offers a variety of accessibility profiles that can be easily activated to improve your browsing experience on Queen’s DigiHub. Below, you’ll find information on how to activate these features and descriptions of each profile. 

How to Activate the UserWay Widget:

  1. Locate the Widget: Upon visiting Queen’s DigiHub, look for the UserWay icon, typically found at the bottom left corner of every screen. 
  2. Open the Widget: Click on the UserWay icon to open the accessibility menu. 
  3. Choose a Profile or Feature: Select from various accessibility profiles or customise individual features to meet your needs. 

Accessibility Profiles Overview:

  1. Motor Impaired (Keyboard Navigation Profile): Enables comprehensive keyboard navigation capabilities. Users can navigate through the website using keyboard shortcuts, making it accessible for individuals with motor impairments who cannot use a mouse. 
  2. Blind Profile: Specifically tailored for users who are blind, this profile enhances the website’s compatibility with screen readers, ensuring all content is accessible via auditory means. It focuses on delivering a seamless navigation experience through voice commands and audio descriptions, allowing blind users to interact with the website effectively. 
  3. Colour Blind Profile: Designed for users with color vision deficiencies, this profile adjusts the website’s colors, ensuring that all information is conveyed without reliance on color. It enhances contrast and employs patterns or symbols in place of color-coded information, making the site usable and understandable for people with color blindness. 
  4. Dyslexia Profile: Aims to assist users with dyslexia by modifying text appearance to improve readability. This profile might use dyslexia-friendly fonts, adjust spacing, background color, and contrast, and provide tools to highlight or read text aloud, reducing visual stress and enhancing the reading experience. 
  5. Visually-Impaired Profile: Enhances the website’s visual aspects to support users with vision impairments. This profile adjusts the font size, contrast, and color settings to improve readability. 
  6. Cognitive & Learning Disability Profile: Simplifies the website’s layout and functions for users with cognitive disabilities. This profile aims to provide a more focused and less distracting online environment. 
  7. Seizure & Epileptic: Intended to protect users prone to seizures, particularly those caused by flashing lights or fast-moving patterns. This profile eliminates animations, blinking/flashing elements, and reduces visual patterns that may trigger seizures, ensuring a safer browsing experience. 
  8. ADHD Friendly Profile: Minimises animations and flashy transitions to reduce distractions and make the website easier to navigate for users with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. 

Customisable Features:

  • Text to Speech: Converts text content into spoken words, aiding users with reading difficulties or vision impairments. 
  • Contrast Adjustments: Offers several contrast modes (e.g., High Contrast, Dark Mode) to improve visibility and reduce eye strain. 
  • Font Adjustments: Allows users to adjust text sizes, spacing, and font styles to enhance readability. 
  • Navigation Aids: Includes features like link highlighting and a keyboard navigation tool, making it easier to navigate the website without a mouse. 

We value your feedback on the accessibility features provided by UserWay plugin. If you encounter any difficulties or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us at ced@qub.ac.uk  Your input helps us enhance the accessibility and user experience on Queen’s DigiHub. 

The UserWay accessibility widget offers a range of features designed to improve the browsing experience for all users, especially those with specific accessibility needs. By understanding and utilising these features, you can tailor your experience on Queen’s DigiHub to better suit your individual requirements. 

Technical Specifications

This site is hosted on the centrally supported WordPress Blog service (https://blogs.qub.ac.uk ) for Queen’s University Belfast. Accessibility of Queen’s DigiHub relies on the following technologies to work with the particular combination of web browser and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer: 

  • HTML 
  • WAI-ARIA 
  • CSS 
  • JavaScript 

These technologies are necessary for the proper functioning of the site and its accessibility features 

Feedback, Limitations and Alternatives

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of Queen’s DigiHub. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers on the site by: 

  • Email: ced@qub.ac.uk 
  • Phone: +44 28 9024 5133 

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please get in touch.   

Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility of Queen’s DigiHub, there may be some limitations. Please contact us if you observe an issue. 

We aim to respond within 5 business days. 

Enforcement Procedure

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018. If you’re not happy with a response to a complaint, you can contact the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland to lodge a complaint. 

Assessment Approach & Review Date

Queen’s University Belfast carried out a self-evaluation of the accessibility of Queen’s DigiHub in April 2024. This statement was first published on 18 April 2024.  It will be reviewed on an annual basis.