Accessibility Statement

How accessible this website is

Throughout the design and development of this website Leeds Arts University have worked with Goss Consultancy Ltd’s team of pan-disability team experts by experience who have supported our work to develop a website that is accessible to as many users as possible.

In evaluating this website, the GCL team used a varied selection of browsers including Google Chrome (version 115), Firefox (version 115), Opera (verison100) and Microsoft Edge (most recent version). These were deployed on a variety of devices including laptops, PCs and running software on Microsoft Windows 11 operating platforms to mirror the experience of the majority of hardware and software that website users would utilise. Android devices (including One Plus 5) using Firefox version 115 as well as a Google Chrome browser were utilised.

We resolved most of the areas highlighted in the user reviews feedback including some issues encountered with links, headings, buttons and the carousel format used.

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible but are working on resolving these issues to resolve them as soon as is possible:

• A few links remain that don’t have explanatory link text. We are working to resolve these in the coming weeks.

• Some images across the site lack #AltText which contrast with many images that have exemplary #AltText based on screenreader user feedback. We are working to resolve these in the coming weeks

• Forthcoming design changes are likely to resolve an area highlighted by GCL reviewers in relation to information for international applicant students whose countries are not listed or who have multiple nationalities.

• The Open Day booking section relies on our 3rd party CRM and some visual representations are less accessible than we would like, including the privacy notice in this section which some users may find difficulty in identifying the link due to the poor colour contrast. (Criterion 1.4.3). This should be resolved when the CRM is replaced in the longer term. Some of the text relating to specific open day events may not meet the Readable Criteria (Criterion 3.1.5). This should be resolved in the coming months as feedback has been provided.

• The virtual tour is offered via a third party provider and may not be accessible to all users, some of whom would benefit from direction on keyboard navigation. We aim to resolve this in the medium term, provide feedback to the third party and explore an alternative option to provide a virtual experience in the meantime.

• The third party platform ‘unibuddy’ has several issues which LAU will feedback on and hope for resolution in the medium term.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different format like an accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, you can get in touch by emailing: accessibility@leeds-art.ac.uk

We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days to discuss your needs. Please be aware that we outsource some of our accessibility resources (e.g. requests for information in braille), so some items may not be available immediately.

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: accessibility@leeds-art.ac.uk. Please include any relevant information, such as the URL of the page(s) on which you experienced the problem, a description of the issue, and your contact information. We will aim to get back to you within 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, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person

Whilst we currently do not provide a text relay service for people for are D/deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment, please contact us at accessibility@leeds-art.ac.uk and we can discuss with you the options available.

We have audio induction loops available, or if you contact us before your visit we can arrange a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. Please be aware that we do not have an in-house interpreter, so this will be dependent on third-party availability.

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Leeds Arts University is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Website and Mobile Applications) (No.2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

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

PDFs published before September 2018

Most of the PDFs available on our website have been published since September 2018. Some non-essential PDF documents that were published before 23 September 2018 may not be fully accessible. The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services. We are working towards ensuring that all essential PDF documents published before 23 September 2018, and all PDF documents published since this date, comply with accessibility regulations.

Live video

If streaming live events via third party platforms that offer live captioning, these may not be 100% accurate. Whilst we are working towards ensuring that content that we produce is accessible, we do not have control over the accessibility of these platforms.

Third party content

Our site uses third party content which may not be fully accessible; we have made clear above particular third party platforms. This may also include links which navigate you away from our website, or content which we post on social media sites such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Tik Tok. Whilst we are working towards ensuring that content that we produce is accessible, we do not have control over the accessibility of these platforms.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepare on 12th September 2023. It was last reviewed on 12th September 2023.

This website was last tested in August 2023. The test was carried out by Goss Consultancy.