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Accessibility statement for ARU Library Website

This accessibility statement applies to library.aru.ac.uk. The content on this website is designed for everyone to find, read, and understand.

How accessible this website is

You should be able to:
  • Change the text size using your web browser settings
  • Zoom in up to 200% without the text spilling off the screen
  • Navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
  • Print out most webpages in a readable format
  • Listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)

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

We've ensured the default font is legible and easy to read.

The body text is 14px, secondary headings 18px and main headings 30px. The navigation is consistent throughout pages.

Most images which convey information have ALT text tags to describe them.

Additional ARIA labels have been added where appropriate.

The University Library provides support to users with disabilities in several ways. AbilityNet also has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille please contact us and we will work with you to find a suitable alternative means to share the information, or contact your subject librarian for specific questions.
We'll consider your request and get back to you within 5 working days.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We're always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we're not meeting accessibility requirements, contact us.

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, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about this website's accessibility

ARU 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

The website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Keyboard tabbing

Users may be unable to book an appointment using the keyboard only (WCAG 2.4.7). We are looking to improve this function. If you have difficulty then you can contact your subject librarian directly.

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

This section covers issues that we do not need to fix right now. The law calls these exemptions.

PDFs and documents

Some of our PDFs that are not essential to providing our services were published before 23rd September 2018. Any new PDFs or documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

If you experience difficulty accessing these documents please contact us.

Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

Existing Video content

We have pre-existing video on this website. The regulations do not require us to fix issues with video content published before September 23rd 2020. This video contains captions but does not have audio descriptions or a suitable alternative. If you require this content in a different format please contact us.

Third Party Content

The library subscribes to many publishers, databases, and e-book suppliers for paid content via their websites, which means that some aspects of its accessibility are outside of our immediate control.

Digital Interlibrary loans documents are currently supplied to us via the British Library with Digital Rights Management, at the request of publishers. Because of this, we are unable to make these documents accessible without prior request. However we are working to obtain these documents from a different source which would allow us to meet the standards.

We have collated a list of links to 3rd party WCAG Accessibility Statements or VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates).

Where a 3rd party supplier is listed as not being Accessible, we are actively working with them to achieve compliance, or seeking alternative providers who are WCAG Accessible.

To help accessibility compliance across the sector, the ARU Library supports searchBOX, a centralised, independent directory of third-party accessibility information.

searchBOX catalogues the contact information and accessibility statements of third-party suppliers, enables the sharing of community-generated accessibility statements, and allows users to map their supplier ecosystem.

Users can access third-party accessibility statements using the free searchBOX Finder service.

The ARU Library encourages all our partners and suppliers to support this effort by ensuring that their accessibility information is included in the searchBOX directory.

What we're doing to improve accessibility

We will ensure that procurement of any new 3rd party resources will be subject to WCAG compliance, or that product roadmaps show compliance in the near future.

We will continue to collaborate with existing 3rd parties who are not currently compliant to become compliant.

We're also committed to improve accessibility through our Collection Development & Management Policy (.pdf).

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 16th September 2020. It was last reviewed on 21st September 2020.
This website was last tested on 4th September 2020. The test was carried out by ARU Library using wave.webaim.org.
All pages within the website library.aru.ac.uk were tested.
Page Last Reviewed: 22nd September 2020 by Andrew Boulden.