Website Accessibility Statement

Accessibility statement for www.canterbury.ac.uk

Introduction

At Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can access information, services, and resources equally. Digital accessibility is essential to ensure that all members of our community - students, staff, and visitors, including those with disabilities - can fully engage with our online content and digital platforms.

Our commitment to accessibility

Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) is dedicated to improving the accessibility of our digital estate, including our website, virtual learning environments, and digital resources. We aim to meet the accessibility standards outlined in the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018, which require that digital services comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.2 AA standard.

To achieve this, we are committed to:

  • Designing and developing digital content that meets or exceeds WCAG 2.2 AA requirements wherever possible
  • Conducting regular accessibility audits and user testing
  • Providing training and guidance for staff to create accessible materials
  • Offering accessible alternatives or reasonable adjustments where content is not fully accessible
  • Responding promptly to any feedback or requests for support.

Adapting content to suit users’ needs

To ensure that the CCCU website is accessible to all users, content can be adapted in the following ways:

  • Resize text up to 200% without impact on functionality
  • Zoom in up to 400% without loss of information or functionality
  • Pause video and animation
  • Navigate the website using a keyboard only
  • Use a screen reader to:
  • Listen to content and use functionality
  • List headings and subheadings and jump to relevant page location
  • List contextually embedded links on each page.

Accessibility software for CCCU students

CCCU students have free access to a range of accessibility software to ensure they can fully access digital content. These include:

  • ClaroRead Plus
  • JAWS
  • Dolphin Supernova
  • My Computer My Way
  • Portable Apps.

For more information for what students can get free access to, visit the Free software page on our website.

Testing processes

Accessibility checking tools

We primarily use Insytful, an accessibility checking tool that is linked to our Content Management System (CMS). This tool runs automated audits against WCAG 2.1 AA. We use it on a weekly basis, tracking accessibility, fixing flagged issues, and fixing failed audits.

Manual testing

We are working with teams around the University to ensure that our digital assets on the CCCU website are navigationally sound and accessible. Teams include the Disabled Staff Network, the Disabled Students Society, and the Equity and Inclusion team. This collaboration ensures that user testing is appropriately completed, with input from our primary users.

We also encourage our CMS users to manually check a page for the following whenever they go into the backend of the site:

  1. Ensure links are contextually embedded.
  2. Ensure PDFs are only used when necessary.
  3. Check internal linking structure for clear website navigation.
  4. Check for content clarity.

We maintain a Microsoft Teams chat for all CMS users where the Content team shares accessibility tips and updates. This is a thriving online community where users can query anything related to the CMS and where best practice is shared. Accessibility training is also offered to CMS users when they first join or when they need more support.

Compliance with WCAG 2.2

The CCCU website is currently partially compliant with WCAG 2.2. We have currently passed 42 automated accessibility audits on the Insytful platform. We are currently in compliance with WCAG 2.2 in the following areas:

  • Correct implementation of ARIA roles to custom elements and ensure all interactive elements have accessible names
  • Accessible names for buttons, links, and menu-item elements
  • Adding accessible names to interactive icons and logos
  • Ensuring correct use of language (lang) attributes
  • Configuring tables with proper headers and structure
  • Ensuring role="text" attributes do not interfere with focus or accessibility.
  • Implementing focusable skip links to aid keyboard navigation.
  • Including captions, alt-text and transcripts for video and audio, and images content where possible
  • Breadcrumb structure implementation for better orientation and navigation.

Non-compliance with WCAG 2.2

We are aware that some parts of our digital content are not yet fully accessible. We are actively working to address these issues as part of our continuous improvement programme.

This website is partially compliant with the WCAG 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and the exemptions listed below.

Specific known issues include:

  • Inaccessible PDF documents.
  • Some elements are not keyboard accessible.
  • Links are not always clearly described.
  • Some video and audio content may not have captions and transcriptions. However, all video content uploaded since 2020 contains captions.
  • Some video and audio content does not contain audio descriptions.
  • Moving content cannot be hidden. However, they can be paused.
  • Some images do not have meaningful alternative text.
  • Some elements do not receive focus visibility.
  • Some elements do not have accessible names.
  • Some headings are not in sequential order.

There are several customisation options for your browser and device that could help you use this website more effectively. AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

Content that is not within the scope of WCAG accessibility regulations

Video and audio

Wherever possible we provide transcripts for audio, captions, audio descriptions, and transcripts for video. Sometimes these alternatives are not available. Pre-recorded time-based media published before 23rd September 2020 is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

Live audio and video

Adding captions to all live video streams is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

PDFs and other documents

PDFs or other documents that are not essential to providing our services and were published before 23 September 2018 are exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

Maps

Online maps and mapping services are exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

Third party content not within CCCU's control

Third party content that is not funded, developed by, or under the control of Canterbury Christ Church University is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.

EU Accessibility Act (EAA) compliance

Although Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) is based in the United Kingdom, our digital services and website are accessed by students, applicants, partners, and other users in European Union countries. The European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) sets out requirements for the accessibility of a wide range of products and services, including websites and mobile applications, across EU member states.

From June 2025, organisations providing digital services in the EU are expected to meet the accessibility standards set out in the Directive.

Ensuring our services align with the EAA requirements supports our commitment to inclusion, removes barriers for disabled users, and demonstrates respect for the rights of our EU students and stakeholders.

We recognise the importance of these obligations. However, we are not yet fully compliant with all aspects of the EAA due to the scale of our digital estate and current resource limitations. We acknowledge that improvements are necessary, and we are working to prioritise updates and allocate resources to address areas of non-compliance over the coming year.

Our intention is to move towards full compliance as soon as reasonably practicable and to continue offering alternative formats or support where digital content may not yet meet the required standards.

Ongoing improvements

We review this live statement regularly and update our practices as technology, standards, and user needs evolve. Our goal is to ensure that all our digital services are accessible, inclusive, and supportive of the diverse needs of our University community. Ongoing improvements are woven into our daily tasks to ensure that accessibility is continuously improved upon.

PDFs and Word documents

We recognise that there are currently over 1000 inaccessible PDF documents on the CCCU website. We are currently auditing PDFs, training staff around the institution, and drafting PDF guidelines. Whilst we understand that best practice is to use HTML where possible, phasing out PDF usage around the institution is a long-term goal.

Some of our PDFs and Word documents are essential to providing our services. For example, we have PDFs with information on how users can access our services and forms published as Word documents. We are currently working on fixing these essential documents or replacing them with accessible HTML web pages.

Website migration

In 2020, we migrated our content onto a newer, user-friendly, and more accessible CMS, which has greatly improved our overall digital accessibility. However, there are sections of the old site that are still live. We are working to close this down as this negatively impacts our site’s accessibility, with all failed audits pertaining to the old site.

Third-party content

Our website includes content and resources provided by third parties. Whilst we do not have control over the accessibility of this external material, we are committed to making best efforts to work with third-party suppliers to encourage improvements to their accessibility. Where possible, we will provide accessible alternatives or support users in accessing this content.

Feedback and contact information

We welcome feedback on the accessibility of our digital services. If you encounter any problems, you can either use the anonymous feedback form at the bottom of every page. Whilst this feedback is taken and appropriately actioned, a response will not be given.

However, if you would like to contact or offer feedback with a response, then please email the Content Team: content@canterbury.ac.uk

We aim to respond to all enquiries within five working days.

Enforcement procedure

If you are not satisfied with our response or wish to escalate a complaint, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS), which provides independent advice:

Website: https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com
Phone: 0808 800 0082

You can also contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which is responsible for enforcing the accessibility regulations.

 

Date of statement: 9 July 2025

Next review date: 9 July 2026