This accessibility statement covers OCA websites. This website is run by OCA, and hosted by Splitpixel. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website; for example this means that you should be able to:
- change colours, contrast levels, and fonts
- zoom in up to 300% without loss of information and functionality
- navigate the website using only a keyboard
- use a screen reader to
- listen to the content of web pages and use any functionality on the page
- list the headings and subheadings in a page and navigate to them
- bring up a list of useful links on the page
- Use transcripts or closed captions with most audio or video materials
- Download learning materials in alternative formats (PDF, ePub, electronic braille)
- AbilityNet also provides 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 forms are missing labels
- Some forms have multiple labels attached
- Some form labels are missing content
- Some links are inaccessible with with no associated text
- There is low contrast in some areas between the website theme and the text font
- Some PDF documents uploaded to the website are inaccessible
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 webupdates@oca.ac.uk
- call 01226 978330
We will consider your request and get back to you within 10 working days. If you are a student and need support, please remember to include your student ID number and contact details so we can get back to you.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you discover a problem, not already listed above, or you think we’re not meeting the requirements of the current accessibility regulations (Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018), please contact us using the details listed above.
We will ask you for the web address (URL) of the page and a description of the problem. We will also ask for your name and email address so that we can contact you about your feedback. You should expect to hear back from us within 10 working days.
Enforcement Procedure
If you are a student, or someone who has had contact with OCA before, and have a complaint about the accessibility of our websites, you should raise a complaint via the Student Complaints Policy.
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 not happy with our response and all our procedures have been exhausted, please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS). If you are based in Northern Ireland you can contact the Equalities Commission for Northern Ireland Equalities Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI).
If you are neither a student, nor someone who has had contact with OCA before and have a complaint about the accessibility of our website, you should go directly to the EASS.
Contacting us
If you wish to contact us about anything not covered above, please visit our Contact Us page.
Technical information about this website's accessibility
The Open College of the Arts is committed to making its websites accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
The Open College of the Arts’ websites are partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.
Non accessible content
The majority of content elements in our website are accessible and do not contain the problems below. This has been confirmed by testing and auditing.
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non compliance with the accessibility regulations
Some forms have missing form labels. This fails WCAG 2,1 success criterion 1.1.1 Non-text Content, 1.3.1 Info and Relationships, 2.4.6 Headings and Labels.
Some forms have more than one label associated. This fails WCAG 2,1 success criterion 1.1.1 Non-text Content, 1.3.1 Info and Relationships, 2.4.6 Headings and Labels, 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions.
Some forms have labels but do not contain any content. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 Non-text Content, 1.3.1 Info and Relationships, 2.4.6 Headings and Labels, 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions.
Some links are inaccessible and do not contain text or descriptive information in anchor text. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context).
There is low contrast in some areas between the OCA website theme and font colour. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum).
Some PDF documents uploaded to the website are not accessible due to the lack of structure within the document. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (non-text content).
We plan to address all these elements by December 2023. When we publish new content we’ll make sure our use of images meets accessibility standards.
Disproportionate Burden
We are not claiming Disproportionate Burden at this domain level. If there are any claims they will be declared within the specific statement for that subdomain.
Content that's not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
The following types of content may not always be accessible, and they are not included within the scope of the accessibility regulation.
Video and audio
Wherever possible we provide transcripts for audio, and 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 23rd September 2018 are exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations. We are working to ensure that any new PDFs or other documents that we publish will meet accessibility standards.
Maps
Online maps and mapping services are exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.
Third party content not within OCA control
Third party content that is not funded, developed by, or under the control of OCA is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.
What we're doing to improve accessibility
We have conducted a thorough review of the accessibility website and have established a clear plan to address the remedial items by December 2023. We are establishing additional requirements to ensure that images and other media uploaded and used within OCA websites meet accessibility criteria prior to inclusion.
OCA aims to make studying as accessible as possible and a range of adjustments and support are available. Our Learner Support and Technology Enhanced Learning teams provide guidance for students and arranges for students to have support when accessing digital content online or alternatively, access to a variety of formats. A wealth of resources for information and guidance in enabling students to study as effectively as possible in the digital environment is accessible through our virtual learning environment, OCA Learn.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 26 May 2023. It was last reviewed in April 2023.
The OCA websites were tested in April 2023. The tests were carried out by The Open University staff on a sample of pages from highly visited sites.