Accessibility Statement For Library Website


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

This accessibility statement applies to the Library Services website.

We want as many people as possible to be able to use our websites and mobile apps, and accessibility is an essential part of our mission. On our Accessibility hub, you'll find everything you need to answer any questions you have about accessibility, whether you're a student or a member of staff.

To adapt the content to your needs or preferences you should be able to:

  • Change colours, contrasts levels and fonts.
  • Navigate the website using just a keyboard.
    • tab to ‘Skip to content’ links at the top of the page to jump over repetitive information to the main content.
    • tab through the content; the current location will be indicated by a clear visual change.
    • control the embedded media player to play audio and video materials.
  • Use a screen reader (e.g. NVDA) to:
    • listen to the content of web pages and use any functionality on the page.
    • list the headings and subheadings in the page and then jump to their location on the page.
    • bring up a list of meaningful links on the page.
  • Use transcripts or closed captions with most audio and video materials.
  • Download learning materials in alternative formats (e.g. Word document, PDF, ePub).
  • If you have a print disability we provide SensusAccess to students, which is an automated service that converts files from one format to another, for example, PDF to text, audio, Word or Braille.
  • AbilityNet also provides advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliance and the exemption listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reason(s):

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Chatbot

When you zoom in, the chatbot crops at 125% and disappears entirely at 300% or more. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.4.4  Resize Text (Level AA) and WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.4.10: Reflow (Level AA) and will be resolved by the end of January 2026.

The content is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

  • PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018.
  • Third party content, for example, social media ‘like’ buttons.
  • Content on intranets or extranets published before 23 September 2019.
  • Pre-recorded audio and video published before 23 September 2020
  • Live video streams do not have captions because live video is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 29 May 2024. 

This statement was last reviewed on 19 November 2025.

This website was last tested on 3 June 2025.

A full audit was undertaken by the Library’s Digital Services team, focusing on the following sample pages:

  • Library homepage
  • Contacting the helpdesk
  • Training and Events
  • Introduction to Library Services (Event page)
  • Finding resources for your assignment (Help and Support page)
  • Selected resources for your study > Environment (Resources page)
  • Ebook collections 

These pages were chosen based on their usage and their importance to our Library service provision.

This website was tested using the Accessibility Compliance Toolkit (ACT) which is an internal toolkit used to identify and check web pages for accessibility by conducting basic accessibility testing. This basic testing covers essential aspects of accessibility, but it doesn’t include all the WCAG 2.2 Level AA Success Criteria. Using the ACT combines manual checks with automated tests across a sample of pages identified as being representative of most or all of the components used on the website. The accessibility testing conducted on this website includes evaluating alternative text, colour contrast, content resizing, content structure, form labels, language of page, link text, keyboard navigation, captions and skip links. The following methods and tools were used:

  • Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE)
  • Colour contrast analyser
  • Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA)
  • Manual zoom check
  • Manual keyboard navigation check
  • axe DevTools automated checker (colour contrast, form labels, link text)

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 the form below 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 Personal Identifier 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 OU 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.

In addition, some module materials are available in different formats and can be downloaded from module websites. Students can contact their Student Support Team for advice.

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, you should raise a complaint via the complaints and appeals process. 

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 are based in the UK, and you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).


We appreciate that you have provided us with personal information, we will never sell on your data to anyone else and data is for the use of The Open University only. If you would like to find out more, please visit our privacy policy using the following link : www.open.ac.uk/privacy.