Accessibility statement for the Libguides system

This statement applies to content published on the https://libguides.st-andrews.ac.uk domain, run by the University of St Andrews. It does not apply to content on any other university domain or subdomain.

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’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

You can also explore some of our recommendations for tools that can make your online experience better.

How accessible this website is

Libguides should be accessible. There are some areas of content that are not fully-compliant within individual guides/pages. 

Some areas of inaccessibility include:

  • Some tables may not be fully accessible to screen reader software.
  • Most older PDF documents aren’t fully accessible to screen reader software
  • Some images do not have good alternative text.
  • HTML has been used for structual purposes within the site (for example tables for layout).

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:

We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that aren’t listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact IT Service Desk:

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

We have induction loops in main lecture venues, and we have portable loops that may be set up if requested in advance. We also have a Roger pen to assist visitors who use hearing aids.

We can provide a text relay service for people who are deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment who are contacting us by phone.

British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us via the online BSL Video Relay Interpreting service from Contact Scotland BSL. We will also try to arrange a BSL interpreter for visitors who need that support, but this should be requested in advance as availability is limited.

Find out how to contact the University. 

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

The University of St Andrews 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 (WCAG) version 2.1 AA standard due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content

Images

Some images added to Libguides do not have alternative text, so the information in them isn’t available to people using a screen reader. This doesn’t meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (non-text content).

We will improve text alternatives over time as we review each page.

Pre-recorded video and audio

Most of the videos embedded with Libguides are hosted on YouTube. Some of these may be incorrectly captioned and may not include audio description. This doesn’t meet WCAG 2.1 success criterions 1.2.2 Captions (Pre-recorded) and 1.2.5 Audio Description (Pre-recorded).

We do not plan to add captions or transcripts to all pre-recorded audio and video media as this is exempt if published before 23 September 2020, but we will add these to selected media when possible. Any media published after this date will include captions.

PDFs and other attached documents

Many of our PDFs and other documents don’t meet accessibility standards. For example, they may not be accessible to screen reader software.

Some of our PDFs and other attached documents are essential to providing our services. We will review and replace PDFs and documents with HTML pages where possible.

Links without meaningful text

Some link text doesn’t make sense when read on its own (for example, ‘click here’), and there are instances where text is difficult to read (Success criterion 2.4.4 Link Purpose - In Context).

We will correct link text over time as we review each page. When we publish new content, we’ll make sure link text meets accessibility standards and follows plain English guidelines. 

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

PDFs and other attached documents

The accessibility regulations don’t require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services.

Pre-recorded audio and video published before 23 September 2020

We do not plan to add captions or transcripts to all pre-recorded audio and video media as this is exempt if published before 23 September 2020.

Live video

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

Maps

Online maps are included in a number of web pages. Where there is a map with one single point of interest, the information being displayed is provided in an alternative format on the same web page. Where there is more than one point of interest on the map, we are working towards an accessible solution.

What we're doing to improve accessibility

Some content on Libguides is not fully accessible, but the University is committed to improving this. The University will work to update all content intended for internal audiences to resolve many of the accessibility issues.   

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 18 September 2020. It was last reviewed on 3 September 2024.

Libguides is tested on a regular basis, using an accessibility tool provided by Siteimprove. This tool tests a sample of web pages and provides a report on accessibility issues. 

Issues are prioritised according to the severity of the impact it may cause, the number of people who may be impacted and the time involved in resolving the issue.