Accessibility statement for Essex ACL VLE (Moodle)
This accessibility statement applies to Essex ACL’s VLE (Moodle) https://vle.essexacl.ac.uk/
This website is run by Essex County Council ACL. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:
· change colours, contrast levels and fonts
· zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
· navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
· navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
· listen to most of the website using a screen reader
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
On a laptop/PC browser, you can magnify text either by increasing the font size in your browser settings (or with browser plugins) or using the inbuilt browser zoom function - CTRL + (Windows) or CMD + (Mac). On a mobile device get magnification and reflow by changing the browser default font size and default display size in the accessibility settings menu.
How accessible this website is
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:
· most older PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software
· live video streams do not have captions
· older videos do not contain captions
· Some interactive elements cannot be voice controlled
· When zooming in to 400% some of the content moves to a different location or overflows
· Content which is not accessible does not always have appropriate alternatives
· Headings are not always used correctly making it difficult to identify the purpose of the page section
· Some error messages for forms are not helpful
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:
email: lifelong.learning@essex.gov.uk
call: 03456037635
We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 20 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 please contact: lifelong.learning@essex.gov.uk
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
Our centres have audio induction loops, or if you contact us before your course we can arrange a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. Please see our Learning Support Policy for further information.
To contact us: lifelong.learning@essex.gov.uk
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
Essex County Council ACL 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 partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
Some links don't make sense when read on their own (for example, ‘click here’ or 'read more'); this fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.4 (link purpose (in context))
We plan to make all items operable with a keyboard by 31st September 2024
Some visible labels are not included in the accessible name meaning users of assistive technologies might not be able to interact with them. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.5.3 (Label in name)
We are working with Moodle to investigate the best way to fix these and plan to do so by April 2024.
When zooming in to 400% not all functionality is available. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.10 (Reflow).
We are working with Moodle to investigate the best way to fix these and plan to do so by April 2024.
Some content has low contrast making it difficult for users with visual impairments to see. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3 (Contrast (Minimum))
We plan to ensure all content has good contrast by April 2024.
Some non-text content does not have suitable alternatives. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text content).
We aim to ensure that all non-text content has suitable alternatives by September 2024.
Some landmarks are duplicated without being differentiated by unique labels making it confusing for users of assistive technologies to understand what section of the page they are on. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.6 (Headings and labels)
We are working with Moodle to investigate the best way to fix these and plan to do so by April 2024.
Some headings are not used correctly meaning users may be confused what section of the page they are on. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.6 (Headings and labels)
We are working with Moodle to investigate the best way to fix these and plan to do so by April 2024.
Some error messages are not helpful. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 3.3.3 (Error suggestion)
We are working with Moodle to investigate the best way to fix these and plan to do so by April 2024.
Issues with third-party applications
Third-party content
Our website contains third-party content. We do not have control over and are not responsible for the accessibility of this content, but we make best endeavours to work with the third party to improve its accessibility.
To help accessibility compliance across the sector, we support 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.
BKSB
Padlet
My Concern
Pro-Observe
My Maths
SmartScreen
Disproportionate burden
Navigation and accessing information
It’s not always possible to change the device orientation from horizontal to vertical without making it more difficult to view the content including documents.
It’s not possible for users to change text size without some of the content (documents) overlapping.
Interactive tools and transactions
Some of our interactive forms are difficult to navigate using a keyboard. For example, because some form controls are missing a ‘label’ tag.
These are built in features of Moodle which to change would require core coding to be changed. This would require constant changes every time Moodle release an upgrade which is impractical to maintain.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
PDFs and other documents
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.
Any new PDFs or Word documents 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.
Pre-recorded videos
Pre-recorded time-based media published before 23 September 2020 are exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
We are working with our 3rd party suppliers to ensure they produce suitable accessibility statements for resources we pay for.
Older documents which are out of scope are being made accessible as required/ identified.
We have training for all staff to complete and checklists to support the uploading of resources.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 29th August 2020 most recently updated 4th August 2023
This website was last tested on 29th August 2020. The test was carried out by Essex County Council employees using automated and manual testing methods and a range of accessibility tools.
We tested all of the main home pages and a sample of every course material was tested.