This accessibility statement applies to library services platform Open Research Online (ORO) accessed via https://oro.open.ac.uk/.
The Open University’s web presence consists of several million individual pages across numerous websites. We want as many people as possible to be able to use our websites, and accessibility is an essential part of our mission. To adapt the content to your needs or preferences in most cases you should be able to:
- Change colours, contrasts levels and fonts.
- Resize text up to 200% without impact on the functionality of the website.
- Navigate the website using just a keyboard.
- tab through the content; the current location will be indicated by a clear visual change.
- 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.
For additional accessibility for websites associated with teaching and learning, students should read the Learning Accessibility Statement (you will be required to sign in using an Open University student or staff account to read this statement). If any module-specific accessibility-related guidance is needed beyond the Learning Systems statement, you will find this in the Accessibility Guide on your module website.
For additional accessibility information about Student Support sites (including StudentHome, the Help Centre, Student Policy and Regulations) and other sites designed to support students but excluding the websites covered within the Learning Systems statement, students should read the Student Support Accessibility Statement.
How accessible this website is
We strive to exceed current accessibility standards. However, we know some elements of Open University websites are not fully accessible:
- Older legacy and archived material.
- Some third-party content not created by The Open University.
- Sites linked from Open University pages but not run by the Open University.
- Some activities (for example some of those involving maps, charts, graphs, online-experiments, interactive activities and features).
- Some content created in tutorials.
- Older PDFS and Word documents may not be fully accessible to screen reader software.
- The colour contrast for some text and some interface components (for example search boxes, check boxes) does not provide enough contrast.
- Some online forms are not set up correctly to include helpful direction for screen reader users.
We aim to provide accessible alternative content or activities where we can. For more information please visit What Support is Available and for more guidance please visit Studying on a Screen
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 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.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
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 Accessibility support and feedback form which is monitored daily.
We will ask you for the web address (URL) of the page 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, 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 (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 use this Accessibility support and feedback form.
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
The Open University 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 fully compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard.
Disproportionate burden
We are not claiming Disproportionate Burden in relation to this website.
Content that’s 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.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
As we build new websites and digital services, we strive to ensure that they are accessible and comply with the current legislation. We also review and audit older sites to identify what changes we need to make to improve accessibility.
The Open University website 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 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 4 May 2022. It was last reviewed on 18 January 2023.
This website was last tested on 10 November 2022. The test was carried out by Library Services.
We tested a selection of pages that are a representative sample of the system as a whole, including the most essential pages:
- Homepage
- Search
- Browse
- User Area
- ORCID Connection
- Edit item
