Accessibility statement for the Library search

This statement applies to content published on the https://encore.st-andrews.ac.uk domain, run by the University of St Andrews. It does not apply to content on any other st-andrews.ac.uk domain or subdomains.

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 (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver).

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.

You can also explore some of our recommendations for tools that can make your online experience better.

How accessible this website is

The Library search is currently not fully compliant with accessibility legislation. Library search is being replaced with a new system which meets the relevant regulations and will go live on 6 January 2025. In the meantime, it is not possible to update the Encore system due a disproportionate burden.

Some areas of inaccessibility include:

  • Some pages have poor colour contrast.
  • Some of our online content is difficult to navigate using just a keyboard.
  • Some heading elements are not consistent.
  • Some images do not have good alternative text or are missing alternative text.
  • Some buttons are not correctly identified.
  • Some labels are incorrectly used.
  • Element IDs are repeated and non-unique.
  • HTML is used to format content.
  • The same link text is used for multiple destinations.
  • The site language is not set.

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:

We will get back to you as soon as possible.

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, contact IT Service Desk:

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

We have induction loops in main lecture venues, and we have portable loops that may be set up if requested in advance. We also have a Roger pen to assist visitors who use hearing aids.

We can provide a text relay service for people who are deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment who are contacting us by phone.

British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us via the online BSL Video Relay Interpreting service from Contact Scotland BSL. We will also try to arrange a BSL interpreter for visitors who need that support, but this should be requested in advance as availability is limited.

Find out how to contact the University. 

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

The University of St Andrews 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 (WCAG) version 2.1 AA standard due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content

Images

Some images don’t have a text alternative, so the information in them isn’t available to people using a screen reader. This doesn’t meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (non-text content).

We are working with the software supplier, Clarivate, to fix this issue.

Forms and interactive elements

There are forms and interactive elements such as carousels which do not meet multiple AA success criteria. We are working with the software supplier, Clarivate, to fix these issues, including, but not limited to:

Contrast issues

Some pages contain elements with low contrast between the element and its background. This can cause text to be difficult to read, especially for those with low vision, poor eyesight, or colour blindness (Success criterion 1.4.3 Contrast - minimum).

Where possible we will correct the contrast on these issues as we complete a review of these pages. For others we are working with the supplier, Clarivate, to fix this issue.

Issues with focus indicator

Some elements may not always display effective focus indication when interacting with elements (Success criterion 2.4.7 Focus visible).

Issues with keyboard access

There are some areas, such as the top navigation toggle, that cannot be accessed using the keyboard at 200% zoom or greater.

Issues with small screens or zoomed in pages

At greater than 200% zoom or on smaller screens there are several issues where contextual information is no longer visible or they are not available. This includes the ‘My cart’ and ‘Login’ options.

Incorrect or missing labels

There are some label and aria-labelled by tags that are not referencing the correct field. There are also some missing labels. This fails success criterium 1.1.1 Non-text Content.

Input field has no description

Input fields should always have a description that is explicitly associated with the field to make sure that users of assistive technologies will also know what the field is for. The Library Search site has multiple IDs with the same value, failing criterium 1.3.1 Info and Relationships.

HTML is used to format content

There are some table elements that have used attributes such as "border" and “align”. CSS should be used instead. This fails criterium 1.3.1 Info and Relationships.

WAI-ARIA groups are missing names

There are some WAI-ARIA groups that are missing names. 

Page language

The site is missing a definition of the natural language which helps screen readers function. 

ID elements are not unique

Unique IDs are required and helpful for screen readers. The success criterion is 1.3.1 Info and Relationships.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

We recognise that some content on Library Search is not fully accessible, but the University is committed to improving this through:

  • We are currently in a project to replace Library Search with a new library system. This will be going live on Monday 6 January 2025.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 29 August 2024. It was last reviewed on 17 September 2024.

Library search is tested on a regular basis, using an accessibility tool provided by Siteimprove. This tool tests a sample of web pages and provides a report on accessibility issues. 

Issues are prioritised according to the severity of the impact it may cause, the number of people who may be impacted and the time involved in resolving the issue.