This accessibility statement applies to Lancaster University’s Moodle virtual learning environment.
The statement covers:
- VLE platform developed by Moodle
- User generated content created by staff and students which may require the use of third party tools
Note that the statement does not include the content hosted on module pages, but rather the functionality of Moodle itself.
This web service is run by Lancaster University. We want as many people as possible to be able to use Moodle. That means you should be able to:
- change colours and contrast levels using the accessibility menu
- access advice on making text larger from the accessibility menu
- zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
- navigate most of the virtual learning environment using just a keyboard
- navigate most of the virtual learning environment using speech recognition software
- listen to most of the virtual learning environment using a screen reader
We also try to make the content as simple as possible to understand.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
How accessible Moodle is
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:
- Live video streams and most recorded videos may have poor quality or missing captions.
- There are documents stored on Moodle (such as PDFs, spreadsheets, word documents or presentations) that may not be fully accessible, for example, to screen reader software or keyboard-only access.
- Some courses may be hard to navigate.
- You cannot modify the line height or spacing of text.
- In places the contrast between colours may not be accessible.
- Tool tips will not be read out by screen reader software.
- In some parts of Moodle, ARIA labels and headings are missing.
- The PDF created in the feedback download is not fully accessible to screen reader software.
Feedback and contact information
If you need course content in a different format such as an accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille first try downloading an alternative format using Ally. Look for the ‘A’ icon next to Moodle contents. If you still need help, you should contact your lecturer for the module. Please speak to your teaching team if you need your coursework feedback to be customised in a specific way.
Reporting accessibility issues with Moodle
We are always looking to improve the accessibility of Moodle. If you find any problems which aren’t listed on this page or think we are not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations, please contact us.
If your problem is:
- A technical/system problem with Moodle, an accessibility related query or feedback, contact us via our online help centre (current students and staff only) or by phone.
- A problem relating to content in Moodle, please contact your lecturer in the first instance.
We’ll consider your request and get back to you as soon as possible.
Internal complaints procedure
If you have contacted us about an accessibility problem (e.g. because you needed information in a different format, or you think we're not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations) but you feel that this has not been dealt with satisfactorily we want to know.
The first stage would be to raise your concern informally. The aim of this stage is to achieve a quick and easy solution for you. It would be appropriate to take the concern through the relevant contact listed above for reporting an accessibility problem.
But if we do not deal with your concern satisfactorily you can take it through to a formal complaint.
Students
There is a student complaints procedure. To make a formal complaint you will need to complete the complaint application form. This form and further information on making a complaint is available on the University's students complaints procedure web page.
Staff
You should first discuss your complaint with your line manager. Your manager will be able to identify who might be able to address the issues, for example a member of ISS, or how to escalate the complaint as necessary. As a final step, it may be appropriate to use the University’s grievance procedure.
Member of public (including applicants to the University)
Members of the public should first try and resolve any issues informally through the arrangements for raising a concern detailed above. If your concern is serious, or raises a matter of public interest, it is appropriate to follow the Raising Serious Concerns and Disclosing Public Interest Matters (Whistle blowing).
What to do if your problem isn't dealt with satisfactorily
If you have contacted us about an accessibility problem (e.g. because you needed information in a different format, or you think we're not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations) but you feel that this has not been dealt with satisfactorily we want to know.
The first stage would be to raise your concern informally. The aim of this stage is to achieve a quick and easy solution for you. It would be appropriate to take the concern through the relevant contact listed above for reporting an accessibility problem.
If you feel your concern has not been dealt with satisfactory you can file a formal complaint. See our concerns, complaints and enforcement information.
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 are still unsatisifed with how the University has responded to your complaint, please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).
Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person
Unfortunately, at the present time we do not provide a text relay service for people who are D/deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment.
Some of our facilities have audio induction loops, or if you contact us before your visit we can arrange a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.
You can phone the switchboard on 01524 65201 or write to us at Lancaster University, Lancaster UK LA1 4YW.
Technical information about Moodle’s accessibility
Lancaster 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 partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
Text
Certain ARIA labels are not valid. This doesn’t meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.6.
Certain buttons include text without an accessible label, alternative text or ARIA label in the visible text. This doesn’t meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.5.3.
It is not possible for users to modify text spacing or line height. This doesn’t meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.12.
There is no text indicating the purpose of the accessibility menu, help, private files, or favourite star icons. This doesn’t meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1.
Coursework feedback
When a marker has provided annotated feedback to a student submission, the PDF that is automatically created and included in the feedback download will not be fully accessible to screen reader software. Please speak to your teaching team before you submit if you need your feedback to be customised in a specific way.
LaTeX
Some content containing scientific notataion created in LaTeX cannot be easily converted and so may not be accessible to screen readers. We are not aware of a straightforward solution at present but will ensure we endever to provide accessible math and scientific content. We are continually investigating technologies as they come available so we can update advice to our staff to ensure that other groups of users are able to access and use content.
Content that isn't within the scope of the accessibility regulations
PDFs and other documents
Individuals uploading content to Moodle are responsible for making documents accessible for the widest possible range of users.
Older PDFs, PowerPoint presentations and Word documents uploaded into the system are unlikely to meet accessibility standards. For example, they may not be marked up so they’re accessible to a screen reader, may lack headings, or other navigation aids. This doesn’t meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2.
We are working on methods to analyse the quality of content, where feasible. We are evaluating commercial systems that will assist content creators.
Our aim is to make PDFs, PowerPoint presentations and Word documents published after 23rd September 2019 meet WCAG 2.1 success criteria.
A complete and comprehensive list of all known accessibility issues in Moodle can be found on the Moodle software tracking web page.
We have assessed these issues and are working with the software community and Moodle developers to continue to make improvements. We plan to fix the issues with text for all new content added after 23rd September 2019.
Images, video and audio
Some of our recorded videos do not have captions. This does not meet WCAG 2.1. success criterion 1.2.4.
Most of our live video streams will not have captions. Where possible we will encourage presenters to use live captions and subtitles, but we don’t plan to enforce the addition of captions to all live video streams at this stage. Adding captions to live video is exempt from the accessibility regulations.
Third party services
Some services associated with Moodle such as Turnitin, Mahara, etc. are classed as third-party content and as such are not the responsibility of the university to make accessible. We have however tested some but not all third party services. Their accessibility statements can be found here.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
We have identified a series of improvements:
- To ARIA labels
- Colour contrast
- Consistent design across courses
We anticipate making these improvements to Moodle not later than August 2020 when a new version of Moodle will be launched.
Additionally:
- We are evaluating accessibility tools that integrate with Moodle and enable content creators to determine the accessibility of their content and providing alternate formats.
- At regular intervals the e-Learning team in ISS monitor improvements to Moodle core code, and plugins released by third party developers.
- Captions on recorded content will be available on all video from September 2020.
- We are reviewing ways to make Moodle more accessible.
- To date (March 2021) we have conducted 2 accessibility projects and are planning our third.
- We have recently upgraded Moodle to make some aspects more accessible and are planning further updates in summer 2021.
- We provide training and support to help colleagues create accessible content and continually review and update our materials and courses
- We have implemented Ally to assist staff identify and fix content, help track our progress and enable students to download alternative formats.
We are aware that some content uploaded by teaching teams will not meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. The University is working on methods to analyse and update content and provides online and taught training for academic staff in how to make their resources accessible.
We have assessed these issues and are working with the software community and Moodle developers to continue to make improvements. We plan to fix the issues with text for all new content added after 23rd September 2019.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 19th August 2019. It was last reviewed on 22nd June 2021. The test was carried out by Lancaster University.
This website was last tested in May 2019. The test was carried out using Assistive Technologies and auditing a sample of key Moodle pages using accessibility assessment tools including Wave and Google Lighthouse.
The e-Learning team in ISS reviewed known issues from the Moodle software development tracker and each page of a test site was tested with the automated WCAG 2.1 Chrome plugin AXE. We specifically tested:
- The main Moodle site
- Related external services through our site, including Turnitin, Lecture Capture, Zoom video conferencing tools and Planet eStream video streaming.