Blackboard Ultra Learn Accessibility Statement

Accessibility statement for Blackboard Learn Ultra (https://learn.canterbury.ac.uk/ and https://learn.kmms.ac.uk/)

For the purposes of this statement Blackboard Learn (https://learn.canterbury.ac.uk/ and https://learn.kmms.ac.uk/) including Anthology Ally and the Blackboard Mobile App, will be referred to collectively as Blackboard Learn.

This accessibility statement applies to Blackboard Learn. Blackboard Learn is a centrally supported virtual Learning Environment that is a commercial product designed and developed by Blackboard in accordance with internationally recognised Web Content Accessibility guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA as well as US section 508 standards.

The site is run by Anthology Blackboard Inc. on behalf of Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU). It is currently used by CCCU and the Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS). KMMS is a collaboration between Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Kent. We want as many people as possible to use this site so within the ‘native’ Blackboard Learn interface* you should be able to:

  • Change colours, contrast levels and fonts
  • Zoom in up to 200% without text spilling off the screen
  • Navigate most of the site using just a keyboard
  • Navigate most of the site using speech recognition software
  • Listen to most of the site using a screen reader (such as the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)

*Please note that content uploaded to Blackboard Learn is created by a variety of users and technologies, and as such cannot be guaranteed to meet all these requirements.

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

How accessible Blackboard Learn is

We know some parts of Blackboard Learn are not fully accessible

  • Some older PDF documents are not fully accessible.
  • Some content that should be hidden from screen readers is announced (e.g. a radial chart legend is visible while the radial chart itself is hidden).
  • Some content (e.g. Tooltips) is not accessible via Keyboard.
  • Some headings and other non-actionable elements receive keyboard focus.

Feedback and contact information

If you need content on Blackboard Learn provided in an alternative format, that is not already available, please contact:

  • CCCU – Digital Learning and Learning Design by email TELaccessibility@canterbury.ac.uk

    The CCCU Student Disability services are available to offer support with issues related to accessibility.

    For any other accessibility issues you may have with Blackboard Learn, please contact the Digital Learning and Learning Design team by e-mail TELaccessibility@canterbury.ac.uk . We will consider your request and get back to you within 10 working days.

    The CCCU Digital Learning and Learning Design team who support and maintain CCCU Learn (hosted on Blackboard Learn is based in the Anselm Building, Canterbury Campus, Canterbury Christ Church University.
  • KMMS - Digital Education team by e-mail digitaleducation@kmms.ac.uk

    The University of Kent’s Disability Team is available to offer support with issues related to accessibility. Information on their service can be found on the Disability Support web page.

    For any other accessibility issues you may have with Blackboard Learn , please contact the KMMS Digital Education team by e-mail digitaleducation@kmms.ac.uk . We will consider your request and get back to you within 10 working days.

    The KMMS Digital Education team who support and maintain KMMS Learn (hosted on Blackboard Learn) is based in the Pears Building, University of Kent.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that aren’t listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact:

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

Canterbury Christ Church University is committed to making its web services accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

Blackboard Learn is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

The Blackboard Learn VPAT lists non compliances as of Aug 2024.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons:

Non-compliance with accessibility regulations

The Blackboard Learn platform is a proprietary Virtual Learning Environment. Anthology Blackboard have an accessibility commitment and have provided a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) report for the platform. Further information on accessibility options for the platform can be found on the Blackboard Learn help pages.

We have highlighted below some known accessibility issues within Blackboard Learn and content within the platform.

Platform issues (identified by VPAT)

Level A

WCAG 1.3.1 Headings, data table and lists within incorrect semantics

Some headings have not been identified, some data tables are not structured correctly, and some lists do not use HTML list markup.

WCAG 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence

Some content that should be hidden from screen readers is announced.

In the instructor workflow, the tooltip that appears hovering over a toggle to “Allow the students to add content at the end of assessment” is not announced by screen readers.

WCAG 2.11 Keyboard

In the instructor workflow, when instructors toggle the automated feedback switch, it activates another component creating a point of confusion.

On the "Time is Up!" modal for student tests, the Tab key does not move the focus indicator to the buttons to either "Submit Now" or "OK". The user can hit Shift + Tab to get the focus indicator to move the buttons.

WCAG 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value

Some components use aria-label attributes without a valid role attribute. This can prevent assistive technology from properly interpreting elements of the page.

Some menus and buttons the repeat multiple times on a page do not have unique labels.

Level AA

WCAG 1.4.4 Resize Text

The main content area on some panels is very small when the browser is zoomed to 200%, making it difficult to read and use. For example, the “Overall Feedback” panel for instructors becomes very narrow and difficult to navigate at 200% zoom. For students, assignment and test panels may be difficult to use at 200% zoom because the footer takes up most of the screen.

1.4.10 Reflow

There are several instances across the application where content is hidden, obscured or truncated when viewed on some mobile devices.

1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus

Tooltips on some “i” icons are not hoverable or dismissible.

Non-accessible content

Content in Blackboard Learn is uploaded by a wide range of users. It is not possible to confirm that all content is fully accessible. We are undertaking a programme of staff development to ensure staff make their materials compliant. Users can make use of Anthology Ally which enables content to be provided in different formats. The following issues have been identified with content uploaded to Blackboard Learn

Contrast

Some uploaded documents may contain text with low contrast between text and background which will make the documents inaccessible for those with visual impairments.

Images

Some uploaded images may not have a description or alternative text which means they are inaccessible for users with screen readers.

Heading structures/styles

Some documents do not contain any marked-up headings which provide structure to documents.

Tables

Some documents contain tables that do not make use of header structure which means they are inaccessible for screen reader users

Untagged PDFs

Some PDF documents are not tagged which makes the document difficult to navigate for screen readers.

Captions in videos

Some uploaded videos may not contain subtitles which means they are inaccessible to audio impaired users. Staff are encouraged to upload all pre-recorded content into either ReCap (Yuja) or KentPlayer (Panopto) to ensure that automatic captions are available.

Disproportionate burden

Content provided on Blackboard Learn sites for modules which are no longer being used for active teaching, such as those modules taught during academic year 2019/20 or earlier, are considered disproportionate burden, as there is a substantial amount of content which would be accessed by a very small group of users.

Our implementation of Blackboard Ally will, however, still provide alternative versions of these files for students who require them.

Furthermore we have identified in the majority of cases we are not able to provide separate audio descriptions or media alternatives due to resource restrictions, however staff will explain any visual graphics, tables or non-perceivable content during any time-based media.

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

The accessibility regulations don’t require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services e.g. content on Blackboards pre-23 September 2018.

We don’t plan to add captions to live video streams because live video is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

The University continues to work closely with Blackboard to monitor accessibility and make improvements as required.

Content publishers are being required to undertake training to show them how to create accessible content. This should address issues with future inaccessible content being created and help them to understand what changes need to be made to existing content to make it more accessible.

Content authors are also encouraged to use the Microsoft Accessibility Checker when creating content using Office tools.

Anthology Ally is installed and activated on Blackboard Learn and content creators receive training on how to use it to improve accessibility. Furthermore, users are encouraged to take advantage of the alternative format download options.

KMMS only - In addition, much, but not all, of the uploaded content undergoes an accessibility check by members of the KMMS Review Team. Issues are flagged to content creators for amendment when required.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

We asked Blackboard to provide information on how they test their product for accessibility compliance.

The Blackboard VPAT is based on the accessibility audit conducted by Anthology Blackboard, August 2024.

As a result of this response CCCU has not undertaken any extensive testing of the site ourselves.

This document will be updated as plans for addressing accessibility issues in Blackboard Learn are implemented.

Initially prepared: 14 January 2022

Last updated: 10 October 2025

Next review: Semester 1, Academic Year 2026/27

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