Accessibility statement for Postgraduate Application Portal

This accessibility statement applies to the Lancaster University Postgraduate Application Portal – a website for use by applicants to apply for Postgraduate study and to manage their application.

It is located at the following URLs:

• https://www.e-res.lancaster.ac.uk/postgraduate-applications
• https://lancasteracuk.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/

This website is part of a third-party system purchased, implemented and administered by Lancaster University. We want as many people as possible applying for postgraduate study to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

• zoom in up to 200% 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

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

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

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

• Some screen readers are unable to read the section headings.
• Font size and spacing when viewing a saved application do not meet the minimum requirements
• In the applicant portal when screen width is greater than 900px the hamburger menu contains an empty list.

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: pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

call: PG Admissions on +44 (0)1524 592032

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: PG Admissions on +44 (0)1524 592032 or the Information Systems Services helpdesk on +44 (0)1524 510987.

What to do if your problem isn’t dealt with satisfactory

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. 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’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

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

These website(s) are partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reason(s):

(a) non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

In the applicant portal when screen width is greater than 900px the hamburger menu contains an empty list. While this is semantically incorrect in terms of list structure this does not affect navigation.

The forms used to collect applicant data in the portal are broken into six individual sections. The headings for each section are presented as a navigable list and make use of the <input> element which is semantically incorrect.

The result of this is that some screen readers are unable to read the section headings.

Testing with Silk Tide’s screen reader the headings were not picked up. ChromeVox had more success and was able to read all items.

While we are working with our vendor to address these issues, we recommend using the ChromeVox plugin if any screen reader issues are encountered.

When viewing a saved application, the menu bar contains links to print or withdraw an application. While these items are labelled correctly and can be navigated and read by adaptive technologies, they do not meet the minimum font size or leave sufficient space. In automated tests the specific error was [touch targets must be 24px or leave sufficient space]. We have raised this issue with our vendor and hope to have a resolution as soon as possible. We will update this statement in due course.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 16/07/24.

This statement has been prepared based on a self-assessment using a mixture of manual and automated tests.

Manual checks included using each page without a mouse and viewing the pages at different zoom levels.

Automated tests were conducted using the latest version of Axe to WCAG2.2AA standard.

Screen reader tests were conducted using Silk Tide and ChromeVox.

The statement was last reviewed on 16/07/2024.