Accessibility Statement for the Virtual Visit Application

Application accessibility statement in line with Public Sector Body (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018

This accessibility statement applies to the Virtual Visit application:

This application is run by the University of Edinburgh. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this application.

For example, that means you should be able to:

• zoom in up to 200% without the loss of content
• navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
• listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of Job Access with Speech (JAWS), NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) and VoiceOver)
• navigate most of the website using speech recognition software

We have also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

Customising the application

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability. This is an external site with suggestions to make your computer more accessible:

AbilityNet - My Computer My Way

With a few simple steps you can customise the appearance of our application using your browser settings to make it easier to read and navigate:

Additional information on how to customise our application appearance

If you are a member of University staff or a student, you can use the free SensusAccess accessible document conversion service:

Information on SensusAccess

How accessible this application is

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:

• users cannot customise the pages without loss of content
• not all links indicate whether they open as new pop-up or browser windows
• not all non-text content holds an alternative text description
• assistive technology functionality may not to work in all parts of the application
• users will encounter pop-ups throughout the application
• specific help information is not displayed

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this application in a different format, including accessible PDF, large print, audio recording or braille:

• or call the University switch board on +44 (0)131 650 1000.
• British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us via contactSCOTLAND-BSL, the on-line BSL interpreting service:

We will consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.

Reporting accessibility problems with this application

We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this application. If you find any problems not listed on this page, or think we are not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact:

• or call the University switch board on +44 (0)131 650 1000.
• British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us via contactSCOTLAND-BSL, the on-line BSL interpreting service:

We will consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.

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 please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) directly:

Contact details for the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS)

The government has produced information on how to report accessibility issues:

Reporting an accessibility problem on a public sector website

Contacting us by phone using British Sign Language

British Sign Language service

contactSCOTLAND-BSL runs a service for British Sign Language users and all of Scotland’s public bodies using video relay.

This enables sign language users to contact public bodies and vice versa. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Technical information about this application’s accessibility

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

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

The full guidelines are available at:

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standard

Non accessible content

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

Noncompliance with the accessibility regulations

The following items to not comply with the WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria:

• Tooltips are not present for all icons and images

1.4.13 - Content on Hover or Focus

• With regards the visual presentation, an image of text can not always be visually customised to specific user requirements

1.4.5 - Images of text

• Screen readers are not able to identify some parts of the page

4.1.2 - Name, Role, Value

Unless specified otherwise, a complete solution, or significant improvement, will be in place for those items within our control by December 2024.

Disproportionate burden

We are not currently claiming that any accessibility problems would be a disproportionate burden to fix.

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

Online Maps and Mapping Services

The application uses maps when interacting with the visualisation technology. These maps are not fully accessible. However, maps are currently not within the scope of the regulations, as long as information needed for navigation is provided in an alternative format. An example includes: 

Information about Support and Wellbeing

There is a lot of additional information available in different formats including  information in the AccessAble - UoE app available for iOS and Android:

AccessAble

What we are doing to improve accessibility

We plan to constantly review and, where possible, improve accessibility on this application. We will continue to address the accessibility issues highlighted, working to deliver a solution or suitable workaround. Unless specified otherwise, a complete solution or significant improvement will be in place for those items within our control by December 2024.

As noted above, due to the complex nature of the information displayed and the content type, specifically mapping, it may not be possible to resolve all accessibility issues. However, while we are in the process of resolving these accessibility issues, or where we are unable, we will ensure reasonable adjustments are in place to make sure no user is disadvantaged.

As changes are made, we will continue to review accessibility and retest the accessibility of this website.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 14^th October 2020. It was last reviewed on 2nd May 2023.

This website was last tested by the University of Edinburgh’s Disability Information Officer in October 2020.

The test was carried out primarily using the Google Chrome browser alongside Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer for comparative purposes, including screenreader compatibility.

Internet Explorer was chosen as it is the most commonly used browser by disabled people, notably due to its accessibility features and compatibility with assistive technology, as shown in a UK government survey:

Government Assistive Technology Browser Survey

Moreover, Chrome is considered by far the most popular browser when using a screenreader. Current world-wide usage levels for different screen readers and browsers can be found in the most recent WebAIM annual survey.

WebAIM annual survey

We tested:

• Spellcheck functionality
• Scaling using different resolutions and reflow
• Options to customise the interface (magnification, font, background colour et. cetera)
• Keyboard navigation and keyboard traps
• Data validation
• Warning of links opening in a new tab or window
• Information conveyed in colour or sound only
• Flashing, moving or scrolling text
• Operability if JavaScript is disabled
• Use with screen reading software (eg. JAWS)
• Assistive Software (TextHelp Read and Write, ZoomText)
• Tooltips and text alternatives for any non-text content
• Time limits

Change Log

• We have added alt text to all images addressing error WCAG 2.1 A:

1.1.1 Non Text Content

• We now have an accessibility statement linked to from each page so help is available on all pages addressing error WCAG 2.1 AAA:

3.3.5 Help