Accessibility Statement

Accessibility Statement for LJMU Learning Platforms 

This accessibility statement applies to the ltech.ljmu.ac.uk website and the following learning platforms: 

  • Canvas 
  • Panopto 
  • Turnitin 
  • Vevox 
  • Buddycheck 

These learning platforms are run by the LJMU Teaching and Learning Academy. For other websites, tools and systems please see this LJMU general accessibility statement. 

We want as many people as possible to be able to use these learning platforms. For example, that means you should be able to: 

  • change colours, contrast levels and fonts 
  • zoom in up to 300% on most of the content without the text spilling off the screen 
  • navigate most of these using just a keyboard 
  • navigate most of these using speech recognition software 
  • listen to most of the content of these using most screen readers 

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

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

How accessible are these platforms and websites? 

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of our learning platforms. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please email TLAcademy@ljmu.ac.uk. 

We know that these systems are accessible, however you may find that some user generated content is not fully accessible: 

LTECH.ljmu.ac.uk 

  • A small number of external videos do not contain audio descriptions 
  • We link to a small number of external documents which may not be accessible 
  • Captions are available on all our videos however; you may find that these are not 100% accurate 

Canvas  

  • Some courses documents in PDF and Microsoft formats have not been designed for accessibility 
  • A small number of videos may not contain closed captions 
  • Some content embedded in your course may not reflow on a mobile device 
  • Courses content may contain images without Alt Text 
  • Some content in your course may not have text alternatives. 
  • Courses may contain content without appropriate use of headings 
  • Colour content may be used to convey information 
  • Course content may be difficult to navigate by keyboard 
  • Courses content may use complex language 
  • Course content may have low colour ratios. 
  • Some tables may not contain headers to allow assistive technology to programmatically determine the relationships between the information presented. 
  • Some courses may contain duplicate links on the same page, hyperlinks containing long URL’s or provide link text that does not identify the purpose of the link. 

Panopto 

  • Audio Descriptions are not available  
  • Closed captions are not 100% accurate 
  • Some videos have content that is presented visually which is not available elsewhere. 

BuddyCheck 

You may encounter one of the following issues: 

  • You cannot change colours and fonts  
  • Navigation with just a keyboard still needs to be improved  
  • Navigation with screen reader still needs to be improved  

Turnitin 

  • Supports Most text in Cloud Viewer reflows without requiring scrolling in two dimensions.  
  • With the application’s Screen Reader Mode ON, the expand/collapse buttons within the paper view are visually hidden and therefore, do not have a visual focus indicator.  

Feedback and contact information 

If you need information on this website or systems in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille please email TLAcademy@ljmu.ac.uk or write to: 

The Teaching and Learning Academy
2nd floor
Exchange Station
Tithebarn Street
L22QP 

We’ll consider your request and get back to you in three days. 

Reporting accessibility problems with our learning platforms 

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of these learning platforms. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, the contact details are as follows:  

Canvas course resources 

If you encounter any issues in your Canvas course, in the first instance, contact your Module Leader to determine whether resources can be provided to you in an alternative format. If you need any further support accessing any particular elements of our learning platform please raise a ticket via the LJMU helpdesk so it can be addressed as quickly as possible. 

LTECH.ljmu.ac.uk, Panopto, Turnitin, Buddycheck and Vevox  

If you need information on this website or any of these systems in a different format such as an accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please email TLAcademy@ljmu.ac.uk 

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 these learning platform’s accessibility 

LJMU is committed to making its platforms accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. 

Compliance status 

The compliance of these learning platforms are as follows: 

LTECH.ljmu.ac.uk 

This learning technology website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed in the next section - 'non-accessible content’. 

Canvas 

This learning platform is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed in the next section - 'non-accessible content’. 

Panopto 

This learning platform is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed in the next section - 'non-accessible content’. 

Vevox 

This learning platform is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed in the next section - 'non-accessible content’. 

Turnitin 

This learning platform is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed in the next section - 'non-accessible content’. 

BuddyCheck 

This learning platform is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed in the next section - 'non-accessible content’. 

Non-accessible content 

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

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations 

Canvas  

Each course is different, and tutors are responsible for adding content. A recent audit reveals that you may encounter the following problems: 

  • A small number of videos may not contain closed captions. This fails WCAG 2.2 criteria Success Criterion 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded).  
  • Some content embedded in your course may not work effectively if re-orientated or reflow on a mobile device. This fails WCAG 2.2 criteria 1.3.4 Orientation. 
  • Some content in your course may not have text alternatives. This fails the WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.5 Images of Text. 
  • Course content may contain images without Alt Text. This fails the WCAG 2.2 Criterion 1.1.1 Non-text Content. 
  • Courses may contain content without appropriate use of headings. This fails WCAG criteria 2.1 2.4.6 Headings and Labels.  
  • Some courses may use colour to convey information. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.4.1 Use of Color. 
  • Course content may be difficult to navigate by keyboard. This fails WCAG 2.2 criterion 1.4.8 Visual Presentation and 2.1.1 Keyboard. 
  • Course content may use complex language. This fails WCAG 2.2 criterion 3.1.3: Unusual Words 
  • Course content may have low colour ratios. This fails WCAG 2.2 criteria 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) and 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast. 
  • Some tables may not contain headers to allow assistive technology to programmatically determine the relationships between the information presented. This fails WCAG 2.2 criteria 1.3.1: Info and Relationships. 
  • Some courses may contain duplicate links on the same page, hyperlinks containing long URL’s or provide link text that does not identify the purpose of the link. This fails WCAG 2.2 criteria 2.4.4: Link Purpose (In Context). 
  • Some documents may have line spacing lower than 1.5 times the font size. This fails WCAG 2.2 criteria 1.4.12 Text Spacing 

By 31 Aug 2025, we plan to either fix these or provide accessible alternatives in line with WCAG 2.2 techniques. 

Canvas Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) | Instructure 

Vevox  

  • All default imagery that appears in the app uses text alternatives. Custom images uploaded by users may not contain alternative text. This fails the WCAG 2.2 Criterion 1.1.1 Non-text Content. 
  • Vevox relies on real-time interaction and updating.  For example, the Q&A board feature will automatically update.  A moderated Q&A board can be used to update at specific times rather than automatically. This fails the WCAG 2.2 Criterion 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide (Level A) 
  • The default colour schemes support contrast requirements.  The presenter can adjust the colour scheme for greater (or worse) contrast. This fails the WCAG 2.2 Criterion 1.4.1 Use of Color (Level A) 
  • There are no pre-set time limits, however content such as live polls and surveys are only available for certain periods of time which is driven by the presenter of the session.  Adding a timer to polls is available and is at the presenter’s discretion as to whether to use it and to determine the length of time. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable. 

By 31 Aug 2025, we plan to either fix these or provide accessible alternatives in line with WCAG 2.2 techniques. 

Vevox Accessibility Statement 

Vevox VPAT 2023 

Turnitin 

  • Supports Most text in Cloud Viewer reflows without requiring scrolling in two dimensions.  The paper view content does not resize properly and requires horizontal scrolling. This fails the WCAG success criterion 1.4.10 Reflow.  
  • With the application’s Screen Reader Mode ON, the expand/collapse buttons within the paper view are visually hidden and therefore do not have a visual focus indicator. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus 

By 31 Aug 2025, we plan to either fix these or provide accessible alternatives in line with WCAG 2.2 techniques. 

Turnitin Accessibility Web Page 

Turnitin Similarity Report Interface VPAT [PDF] 

Turnitin Originality Report Interface VPAT [PDF] (April 2020)  

BuddyCheck 

Buddy check Accessibility Statement. You may encounter one of the following issues: 

  • You cannot resize text, to increase the size of text you will need to zoom into the page. Text can also be increased using the default font-size from within your browser settings. This fails WCAG 2.2 criterion 1.4.4 Resize text (Level AA)  
  • Navigation with just a keyboard still needs to be improved. This fails WCAG 2.2 criterion 2.1.1 Keyboard. 

By 31 Aug 2025, we plan to either fix these or provide accessible alternatives in line with WCAG 2.2 techniques. 

Disproportionate burden 

An assessment was carried out by the University in accordance with the Regulations. The report assessed the WCAG criteria listed in this section. It established that the University is currently unable to meet these requirements: 

Canvas and Panopto 

  • Some videos have content that is presented visually which is not available elsewhere. Many of the videos do not have an audio description. This fails the WCAG success criteria: 
    • 1.1.1 Non-text Content - (Level A) 
    • 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) 
    • 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) 
    • 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) - (Level AA) 
  • Closed captions are not 100% accurate. This affects the following Success Criteria: 
    • Success Criterion 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) - (Level A) 
    • 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) 

What we’re doing to improve accessibility 

Our accessibility roadmap shows how and when we plan to improve accessibility on this website. We also have a dedicated page for Learning Technology Accessibility Guidance. 

Preparation of this accessibility statement 

This statement was prepared on 13/07/2023. It was last reviewed on 19/11/2024. These systems were last tested on [19/11/24] against the WCAG [2.2] AA standard.

We used this approach to testing: 

LTECH.ljmu.ac.uk 

The LTECH website was last tested on 22/11/2024. The test was carried out by the Teaching and Learning Academy.  

We tested every page on the website to ensure that accessibility standards were met. 

Canvas 

We sampled approximately 10% of published courses on Canvas. 

Panopto 

We did not sample individual videos on Panopto, but we know that there are certain accessibility issues inherent in the system. 

Vevox 

We did not sample individual polls, but we know that there are certain accessibility issues inherent in the system. 

Buddycheck 

We did not sample individual assignments on Panopto, but we know that there are certain accessibility issues inherent in the system. 

Publication dates 

Date of publication: 29 February 2024 

Date of last update: 20 November 2024 

 

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