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Accessibility Statement for BrowZine mobile applications for Android and iOS

Accessibility Statement for BrowZine mobile applications for Android and iOS

This accessibility statement applies to the Android version via https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.browzine&hl=en_AU and iOS version of this app via https://apps.apple.com/us/app/browzine/id463787411.

BrowZine is a third-party app, developed by Third Iron, LLC.

We want as many people as possible to be able to use our websites and apps, and accessibility is an essential part of our mission. To adapt the content to your needs or preferences you should be able to:

  • Change screen orientation.
  • Use zoom to magnify the screen
  • Use a screen reader (VoiceOver for iOS and TalkBack for Android) to:
    • navigate content by headings, meaningful links, or descriptive buttons.
    • listen to the content of web pages and use any functionality on the page.
    • complete and submit forms using descriptive labels.

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

How accessible this app is

We strive to exceed current accessibility standards. However, we know some elements of The Open University apps are not fully accessible:

  • Some third-party apps and content not created by The Open University (e.g. PDFs).
  • Sites linked from Open University apps but not run by The Open University.

Feedback and contact information

If you find that a certain section of our website is not accessible and you can’t get access to the information that you need please use this form to request support and we will ensure that you are provided with the information you require. You will need to provide your contact details and PI if you are a student so we can get back to you. You should expect to hear back from us within 5 working days.

The Open University is very experienced in meeting accessibility needs for our students. In many cases we are able to provide module and other study support materials in alternative formats for students who indicate a need for this when completing a Disability Support Form.

Students can contact their Student Support Team for ongoing advice and guidance.

Reporting accessibility problems with this app

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of our websites. If you find a problem that isn’t already listed on this page, or you think we’re not meeting the requirements of the current accessibility regulations (Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018), please use this accessible Feedback Form which is monitored daily.

We will ask you for the Mobile App name, details of the screen and a description of the problem. We will also ask for your name and email address so that we can contact you about your feedback. You should expect to hear back from us within 5 working days.

Enforcement procedure

If you are a student, or someone who has had contact with the University before, and have a complaint about the accessibility of our websites and apps, you should raise a complaint via the complaints and appeals process

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 are not happy with our response and all our procedures have been exhausted, please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS). If you are based in Northern Ireland you can contact the Equalities Commission for Northern Ireland Equalities Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI).

If you are neither a student, nor someone who has had contact with the University before and have a complaint about the accessibility of our website, you should go directly to the EASS.

Contacting us

If you wish to contact us about anything not covered above, please visit our Contact Page where we have a comprehensive list of services to suit your specific enquiry and requirements.

Technical information about this app’s accessibility

The Open University is committed to making its websites and apps accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance Status

This app is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances’ listed below.

Non accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Colour contrast 

Colour contrasts do not meet AA standards. This fails WCAG 2.1 Success criteria sections 1.4.3 (Contrast (Minimum)).

Resize text

When font size is set to Large, the text goes off screen. This fails WCAG 2.1 Success criteria sections 1.4.4 (Resize text).

Meaningful links

Some buttons do not have a label, dose not describe the destination of the link. This fails WCAG 2.1 Success criteria sections 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context).

Status messages 

On loading screens there is no audible warning to let the user know that an element or section is in a loading state or if it loaded. This fails WCAG 2.1 Success criteria sections 4.1.3 (Status Messages).

Labels or instructions

Some icons and objects do not have labels, which fails to provide the user with instructions when input is required. This fails WCAG 2.1 Success criteria sections 3.3.2 (Labels or Instructions).

Third Iron, LLC plan to make sure these meet accessibility standards by April 2022.

The OU are working with Third Iron, LLC to resolve all of the above issues. We carry out regular site audits to identify and feedback accessibility problems to be fixed.

Disproportionate burden

Identified issues with the PDFs include:

  • Tables not accessible
  • Headings not available
  • Footnotes not processed by VoiceOver and Talkback
  • Lack of figure descriptions
  • Table of Contents cannot be read in correct order by screen readers

Having undertaken an assessment, we have concluded making all PDFs accessible via the Browzine app will take too long and one of the reasons for this is because we will have to work with third party suppliers. We have assessed the time it would take to fix these issues. We believe that doing so now would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations.

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

We do not have anything out of scope in this app.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

Third Iron, LLC are working towards full accessibility on access-controlled parts of this site. A major revision of this area is a key development focus for January 2022. For further details, please email support@thirdiron.com.

As we build new websites and apps, we strive to ensure that they are accessible and comply with the current legislation. We also review and audit older sites and apps to identify what changes we need to make to improve accessibility.

The Open University website and apps development process has stages that test the usability and accessibility of new and updated platforms, activities and services against WCAG 2.1. As well as working with external consultants, an internal Accessibility and Usability Evaluation team helps to offer guidance in this area and to ensure that accessibility and usability are embedded in the design and development process for developers and content creators.

These activities ensure that we are meeting and responding to the changing digital requirements of our students and users as well as developing and delivering systems, apps and websites which are as accessible and usable as possible.

The Open University is committed to accessibility and demonstrates this in a number of different ways:

The Securing Greater Accessibility team (SeGA) was set up in 2010 as a university-wide initiative to promote accessibility and inclusive practice and support students and staff. SeGA offers training and guidance in accessibility in teaching and learning and oversees forums and activities for a wider community of practice and research. SeGA also runs a network of over 50 accessibility champions and coordinators, who work as points of contact on accessibility queries within their respective academic areas.

Staff at The Open University are offered on-demand accessibility training in a variety of topics to support them to carry out their roles. This will be complemented in the future by the introduction of bespoke, mandatory training in accessibility for all staff to complete in order to further embed accessibility good practice.

The Open University Library provides wide-ranging support to students with disabilities and specific requirements. As well as working with students directly to offer guidance in accessible resources, the Open University Library staff work with publishers to help improve the accessibility of their products.

The Open University aims to make studying as accessible as possible and a range of adjustments and support are available. A well-established disability support team provides guidance for students and arranges for students to have support when accessing digital content online or alternatively, access to a variety of formats. A wealth of resources for information and guidance in enabling students to study as effectively as possible in the digital environment are available via the help centre.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 25th May 2021. It was last reviewed on 22nd June 2021.

This app was last tested in April 2021. The test was carried out by Library Services. The following versions of BrowZine were tested: Android app version 2.5.2 (10109) and iOS 2.3.7 (3).

The operating systems (OS) used to audit were Android version 10 and iOS version 14.6.

We used this approach to decide on a sample of screens to test:

  • All level screens, including the home screen underwent a full WCAG2.1 AA audit
  • All screens were reviewed for possible accessibility issues, any screens with potential issues were added to the list of Quick Checks for further investigation

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