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IT Service Desk Accessibility Statement

IT Servicedesk System Is Partially Accessible

The University of Cumbria take accessibility very seriously and want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. We are actively working to make the website more accessible to all people and compliant with World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) WAI’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1.

View our accessibility tools page to find accessibility tools and plugins to help improve your online experience.

You should be able to:

  • understand the website text
  • change colours and contrast levels using a browser extension Colour Contrast
  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
  • be able to understand hyperlink destinations from the text description
  • use text to speech tools to access content

How accessible is the IT Servicedesk Reporting System

  • The text does not reflow when magnified in the table
  • Some text colours and contrast fail the required standard
  • Keyboard only tabbing is unavailable on the Menu options
  • Page titles are generic throughout
  • you cannot skip to the main content
  • Alternative text is not available on all images
  • Poor tab Focus

What to do if you can’t access parts of this website

Self-help options

Alternative Formats

The University subscribes to an alternative formats service Sensus Access. This service will transfer most files into a chosen format e.g. an inaccessible PDF can be transferred to an accessible PDF, or a Word document can be transferred to sound. This service can be used directly by Students using their University email address. Alternative Formats

Assistive Technologies

You can access specialist assistive software on PCs and laptops throughout the university and also download free web-based tools to enable you to fully interact with content. To find out more visit the assistive software page or download the AT Bar for free. 

University of Cumbria Support

If you are unable to access content or interact with the interface and would like an alternative accessible format, please contact us to discuss the most suitable options, please contact:

We will review your request and communicate with you in 7 days.

Reporting Accessibility Problems with this Website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. You can help us by reporting any barriers you encounter and contribute to our Accessibility Improvement plan. however, if you find any problems that aren’t listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact itservicedesk@cumbria.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 this web-based system’s accessibility levels

The University of Cumbria is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non accessible content

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

1. Non-compliance with accessibility regulations

  • Colour and Contrast fail the WCAG Guidelines 1 – 1.4.1, 1.4.3, 1.4.11. This affects the main content text with the grey background and Menu items with the grey background. This may prevent users who have a sight impairment or colour blind to fully access the page. The Colour, Contrast browser extensions does work with the pages to improve accessibility in the short term. We have added this issue the system accessibility Action Plan and are in contact with the 3rd party system owner to rectify the issue. The action plan will monitor the changes needed and be updated annually.
  • Tab functions for Keyboard only users is unavailable on the Menu options making it an inaccessible system for none mouse users. There is a telephone helpline or email address to provide support for these users. This contravenes WCAG2.1 – 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.4.3 and needs to be corrected.  We have added this issue the system accessibility Action Plan and are in contact with the 3rd party system owner to rectify the issue. The action plan will monitor the changes needed and be updated annually.
  • Tab Focus is difficult to see at all making you think there is no tabbing available. This makes it difficult for the user to know where the tab focus is on the screen, making it really difficult to interact with the page. The Tab Focus Indicator works with the page and mitigates the issue in the short term. This affects none mouse users and contravenes WCAG2.1 - 2.4.7. The browser Focus Indicator Extension works well to mitigate the issue. This issue has been added to the Accessibility Improvement Action Plan and are communicating with the web designer to alter the design layout. The action plan is monitored and updated annually.
  • Page titles are generic throughout this means that screen reader users will struggle to navigate the site in an efficient way. This affects the user experience and also any alternative formats created from the content. This contravenes the WCAG2.1 – 2.4.2  We will add this issue to the Accessibility Action Plan for monitoring and resolution. We are currently communicating with the 3rd Party System and will update the statement annually or after the issue has been resolved. 
  • You cannot Skip to the Main Content, this means that repeated tab strokes are needed to access the main page content. This affects non-keyboard users and affects the user experience, This contravenes WCAG2.1 -  2.4.1 We will add this issue to the Accessibility Action Plan for monitoring and resolution. We are currently communicating with the 3rd Party System and will update the statement annually or after the issue has been resolved.
  • Alternative text is not available on all images this impacts on those using screen reader who will not be able to fully access the page. This doesn’t meet the WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (non-text content). We plan to add text alternatives for all images and have added the action to the accessibility action plans. The statement is updated annually or when improvements are made. Also when we publish new content we’ll make sure our use of images meets accessibility standards.

2. Disproportionate Burden

The changes needed to achieve AA WCAG Guidelines and meet the Web Accessibility Regulations will be achieved through a planned accessibility improvement action plan to be reviewed and updated a minimum of 12 monthly.

3. Content that’s not within the Scope of the Accessibility Regulations

The text does not reflow when magnified in the table, this is not included in the scope of the regulations. This is, however, included in the Accessibility Action Plan for improvement.  

How we tested this Website

We tested the most visited pages both manually and with the use of accessibility testing software such as Wave, a web accessibility evaluation tool WAVE and Accessibility Insights. This system was last tested on August 2020 by University of Cumbria.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

We are continuously working to improve the accessibility levels of Richmond. A Basic Accessibility Check is carried out each year followed by a more detailed accessibility check, both assessments highlight the areas needing improvement. The identified issues are added to the system improvement action plan with a timescale for improvement or 3rd party communications on improvement.

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