RGU Library

Accessibility Statement

Robert Gordon University Library is committed to providing content that is accessible to all.

Accessibility Statement for RGU Library

This Accessibility Statement applies to the Robert Gordon University Library website. This website is run by Robert Gordon University Library. We want as many people as possible to be able to use the Library website. For example, that means you should be able to:

  • Change colours, contrast levels and fonts using in-browser tools
  • Navigate most of the Library website using just a keyboard
  • Listen to most of the Library website using a screen reader
  • Magnify the page up to 200% without the text spilling off the page

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

Using the Library website with accessibility features

With a few simple steps, you can customise your browser to make the Library website easier to read and navigate. AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

The University also provides the following assistive software on all computers used by students on campus:

  • MindManager
  • Read and Write Gold

How accessible this website is

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

  • Some guide pages have video tutorials which only have captions, and do not have text descriptions/screenshots or transcripts
  • Some older PDF and Word documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software
  • We link to some older YouTube videos which are not fully accessible
  • Two specific guides - 'APA Referencing Guide' and ‘RGU Vancouver Referencing Guide’ are not currently fully accessible
  • When the browser size is reduced significantly, some tables become difficult to read

What should you do if you can’t access or are having difficulty using the Library website?

If you need information from the Library in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please contact the Inclusion Centre.

If you are a student with existing arrangements or reasonable adjustments, please contact the Inclusion Centre.

Reporting accessibility problems with the Library website

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

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

Accessible contact

BSL users can contact staff at the University via contactSCOTLAND-BSL, the online British Sign Language interpreting video relay service. Find out more on the contactSCOTLAND website. If you contact us before your visit, we can arrange a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. Our Library has audio induction loops.

Find out how to contact us.

University student services

The Service has an Enabling Technology Adviser, who provides training in the use of enabling technologies, such as digital recording equipment and TextHELP Read and Write Gold software. If you require specific software to support your studies, please contact the Enabling Technology Adviser on +44 (0) 1224 262103 or email the Inclusion Centre.

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Robert Gordon University Library 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 version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content

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

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

  • Some guide pages have video tutorials which only have captions, and do not have text descriptions/screenshots or transcripts. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.2.3 (Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)). We plan to add text alternatives for all video tutorials as we review each one. When we publish new content, we’ll make sure our use of videos meets accessibility standards
  • Some PDFs and Word documents are essential to providing our services. Some of these are not fully accessible to screen reader software, which fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels). We plan to either fix these or replace them with accessible HTML pages as pages and documents are reviewed
  • Two specific guides - 'APA Referencing Guide' and 'RGU Vancouver Referencing Guide' are not currently fully accessible to screen reader software. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels). We plan to fix these as the guides are reviewed during 2023-2024
  • When the browser size is reduced significantly, some tables become difficult to read. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.1.1 (Keyboard). We plan to fix these as the pages are reviewed during 2023-2024

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

Third party content

We may also link to other resources or websites where we do not have a contractual relationship with the supplier e.g. news websites, online repositories, social media platforms, streaming videos, official and academic information sources. We are not responsible for the accessibility of these or any other websites which we do not manage or have a contractual relationship with the supplier.

Reproductions of heritage items

Reproductions of heritage items refers to content or items that could include archaeological items, archives, estate records, manuscripts or paintings for example. These items, when reproduced on the Library website, could fail multiple WCAG 2.1 success criterion.

We do not plan to create accessible reproductions of heritage items where there is no automated and cost-efficient solution, or it is not possible to safely or authentically reproduce the item because reproductions of heritage items are exempt from the regulations.

Other Library websites and online resources

The online Library is an extremely rich and modular environment of different online platforms that includes third party content, functionalities and tools. As a result, you may be directed to a related service, a partner we work with, content or supporting documentation we do not publish or author. We are not responsible for the accessibility of third-party content where there is no contractual relationship. Depending on our relationship with the third party, we cannot always guarantee its accessibility. However, if we have paid for content to be created, or have a contractual relationship with the commissioner, we will seek to ensure accessibility guidelines are met as part of our business processes.

Other Library websites

The Library provides access to several other web platforms as part of its services:

Third Party subscribed content

The Library subscribes to a wide range of resources across multiple different third-party platforms, providing access to e.g. journal articles, electronic books and other academic information sources. The Library does not manage these platforms, but where we have a contractual relationship with the supplier, we will seek to ensure accessibility guidelines are met as part of our business processes. Most of our subscribed content platforms have a published accessibility statement which can be found at textboxdigital searchBOX. We will make every reasonable effort to work with third parties in meeting accessibility requirements. The Robert Gordon University Library encourages all our partners and suppliers to support this effort by ensuring that their accessibility information is included in the searchBOX directory.

Your feedback and voice count and it will help us to manage our relationship with third parties. Please tell us if you have any problems, or if you find anything particularly useful by emailing us.

What we are doing to improve accessibility

We are dedicated to improving the accessibility of Library online content for all users. To do so we will:

  • Assess and redevelop where it is possible, practicable and cost-efficient
  • Assess proposed new features, integrations, interfaces and developments
  • Continue working on providing alternative formats for library guides, such as captioned video tutorials and downloadable documents in alternative formats
  • Continue to make the website text as simple as possible to understand when reviewing content
  • Conduct annual audits of the website to ensure new content is fully compliant
  • Review the current statement annually

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 23rd September 2020. It was last reviewed on 16th May 2023.

How we tested this website

We tested a representative sample of pages and content from the website against a variety of browser accessibility extensions such as WAVE, High Contrast checkers, Reading Mode, also specialist software e.g. NVDA.

Our automated testing process included, and has not been limited to:

  • Listening to the pages using screen readers (e.g. NVDA), ensuring content and navigation is identified successfully
  • Using browser extensions (e.g. Firefox Reading Mode and WAVE) to:
    • Increase line spacing and character spacing
    • Manipulate font size
    • Read pages in sepia, dark and light mode
    • Convert pages to high contrast, gray scale, and inverted colours
    • Mitigate low contrast errors
    • Ensure page structure includes appropriate headings

We also do manual checking, including:

  • Using a keyboard to navigate the website
  • Checking navigation between pages is clear
  • Ensuring images have suitable captions

We also test all new content with these tools on publication.