Accessibility Statement for Northumbria University’s Student Portal

Access for All

The Student Portal can be accessed by all staff and on-programme students at Northumbria University.

Northumbria University is committed to providing a website that is accessible to all users. This commitment is in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No.2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. Content on our website is designed so that it is easy to find, read, understand and interact with.

This Accessibility Statement provides an overview of the accessibility features we have implemented on the Student Portal platform https://myportal.northumbria.ac.uk/. If you have any questions regarding the accessibility of this site, please let us know by emailing Accessibility.Queries@northumbria.ac.uk

The Student Portal platform also contains links to third-party content. The University is not responsible for the accessibility of this content and has no control over it. However, Northumbria University is committed to working with partners to ensure material they are responsible for meets accessibility standards where possible and that they have their own accessibility statements. In addition, should you identify third-party content that you cannot access please let us know by emailing Accessibility.Queries@northumbria.ac.uk and we will endeavour to provide it in an alternative format or assist you in using it.

Northumbria University also has responsibility for several other websites and platforms and each has their own Accessibility Statement.

Accessibility standards

Northumbria University aim to make our web pages meet the required WCAG AA standard and adhere to level 1 and 2 guidelines set out in the the International WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standard.

We endeavour to ensure that the platform is responsive to different devices and enable browsers to accessibly change text sizes through the way the website has been designed and developed. Practical examples on how to use the website to maximise the user experience are set out below in the ‘Using the website’ section.

In addition, you could visit AbilityNet – an organisation supporting people with disability or impairment to use technology – who provide practical advice on making your device easier to use.

Supporting accessibility

We will continue to review the accessibility of content across the Student Portal platform. The review process will:

• Ensure this Accessibility Statement is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary
• Ensure that content is available in all possible, accessible formats and where this is not possible seek alternative formats as necessary
• Assign clear responsibilities in respect of accessibility and ensure ownership of it as appropriate
• Employ quality assurance methods to ensure the quality of accessible content

Platform layout

The website uses Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to define presentation and layout. This provides an accessible platform for the use of screen reader access keys for navigating through the website. 

How accessible is our website?

We will ensure content on the Student Portal is accessible and review it on a regular basis, but the website is only partially compliant with WCAG AA guidelines. For example, there are types of content that are yet to be developed to an accessible standard. Non-accessible content types include the following

1. Documents (PDF/DOC) – These will be reviewed, updated and replaced to ensure they are accessible
2. Film (Streaming video) – As above, these will be reviewed and updated, and subtitles added as necessary

If you would like us to provide any of this content in a different format, please email Accessibility.Queries@northumbria.ac.uk. We will aim to get back to you in 2 days.

Disproportionate burden

Should any issue be identified that cannot be fixed, as the cost of doing so would place a disproportionate burden on the University, we will identify what those issues are, list them and explain why they cannot be fixed at that time. Any issues falling into this category will be reviewed.

Using the platform

Below are a few helpful ways in which you can use the Student Portal more easily. 

To enlarge text on the website and enhance readability on these browsers:

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’).

Complaints Procedure

If you have contacted the University to report a problem or issue with our platform and are unhappy at the response you have received, you can complain to us at Accessibility.Complaints@northumbria.ac.uk and we will investigate further.

Alternatively, you can contact the Equality Advisory and SupportService.They advise and assist individuals on issues relating to equality and human rights, across England, Scotland and Wales.

Preparation of this statement

This statement was originally prepared and uploaded on Monday 24 August 2020. This Accessibility Statement will be reviewed.

Contact information and feedback

Northumbria University is committed to reviewing and improving accessibility of our websites and platforms and welcome comment and feedback to support us to do this.

If you have difficulty in accessing the content of this site, or have suggestions for improving the accessibility of content, please email Accessibility.Queries@northumbria.ac.uk and we will aim to provide the information in an alternative format and consider your suggestions.