Library Services Accessibility Statement: 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 website https://www.open.ac.uk/library.

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.
Resize text up to 200% without impact on the functionality of the website.
Zoom in up to 400% without loss of information or functionality.
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. JAWs, 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, Kindle eBook).
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.

When using this website, you may navigate into Library Search. This is a third-party platform, owned by Ex Libris. For more information about the compliance of this platform, please see the Library Search accessibility statement.

Non-accessible content

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

These issues relate to Library Search, which users can navigate to from the Library Website.

Reflow issues at 200% zoom

When users zoom in to 200%, a horizontal scroll bar appears, and the main menu button is obscured (this is particularly evident in Edge). This is in breach of WCAG 2.2 criterion 1.4.10 (level AA) and will be resolved in November 2024.

Disproportionate burden

Third-party licenced resources

Open University Library Services provides access to over 580,000 ebook titles, 500 databases and 250,000 journal titles which are licensed by the Library but provided by third-party publishers. These are spread over more than 400 external websites and we can’t test all those sites and create accessibility statements for them.

Having undertaken an assessment, we have prepared a document outlining that we cannot reasonably assure the accessibility of all of these resources. This is because of the volumes of third-party resources that we have available and the very limited impact that we have to make changes and publish accessibility statements on websites outside of our control. The document we have prepared is in line with the regulations for accessibility requirements for Public Sector bodies.

We audit many third-party resources and undertake supporting work to make improvements for our users. We also provide students with alternative methods of accessing content that is not available in the appropriate formats from our digital platforms. For more information on the support we can offer, please visit our help and support page.

If you would like to view the document on third party resources, please use the form below to request access to it.

The content is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

Pre-recorded audio and video published before 23 September 2020

Not all pre-recorded audio and video published before 23 September 2020 has captions and transcripts because these files are exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

Any new pre-recorded video or audio 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.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 29 May 2024.

The statement was last reviewed on 23 September 2024.

The website was last tested on 18 June 2024.

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 prominence from the Library website homepage.

The following methods and tools were used:

Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE)
Colour contrast analyser
Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA)
Deque Axe
Manual zoom check
Manual keyboard navigation check

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).

Name

Email address

OUCU/OU Personal Identifier

Please give the webpage address (URL) (e.g. www.open.ac.uk/library/news/) of the page that you have accessibility problems with. (Note: by default this will be populated with the URL of the last page you were on).

Please describe what it is you’d like us to help with or the accessibility issue you wish to report.

We will respond to your feedback within five working days. If you have an urgent library enquiry please contact the library helpdesk separately.

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.