This accessibility statement applies to Niche Academy. There’s a separate accessibility statement for the main H&F website.
Niche Academy is run by H&F Libraries through our third-party supplier Digital Content Associates.
Using this website
We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website.
For example, that means you should be able to:
- change colours, contrast levels and fonts
- zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
- listen to the service using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)
We’ve also made the 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 this website is
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:
- the focus order does not follow a logical sequence
- not all elements receive focus or are keyboard accessible
- there is no way to skip repeated links
- error messages only display for a short amount of time and the information is clipped
- some form fields do not have visible labels
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 us at libraries@lbhf.gov.uk
You can also contact your local library.
Reporting accessibility problems with this service
We're always looking to improve the accessibility of Niche Academy.
If you find any problems that aren't listed on this page or think we're not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations, please use our report form to let us know.
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
We provide a text relay service for people who are Deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment. Please call 18001 followed by 020 8748 3020.
Alternatively, you can use Relay UK service. Relay UK (previously Next Generation Text) - helps people with hearing and speech difficulties communicate with anyone over the phone, using the national relay service.
All of our libraries are wheelchair accessible.
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
H&F Libraries is committed to making Niche Academy 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 listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
Colour contrast
Error messages do not provide enough contrast between the text and background colours. This is not compliant with WCAG 2.1 guideline 1.4.3 (contrast - minimum).
Form fields do not meet minimum colour contrast requirements and are not compliant with WCAG 2.1 guideline 1.4.11 (non-text contrast).
Images, video and audio content
The H&F logo is missing an alt text attribute and alternative text. This is not compliant with WCAG 2.1 guideline 1.1.1 (non-text content).
All the course images on the homepage have the same alt text and aria-label descriptions when they should be descriptive of the image. This is not compliant with WCAG 2.1 guidelines 1.1.1 (non-text content) and 2.4.6 (headings and labels).
Interactive tools and transactions
The login and create an account form fields don’t have visible labels but do have aria-labels and placeholder text. Although placeholder text can be helpful it should not replace fixed labels as people can forget what information is required. This fails WCAG 2.1 guidelines 1.3.1 (info and relationships) and 3.3.2 (labels or instructions).
The aria-label for the first name field in the create an account form does not accurately describe the information required as it tells the username to enter their name not first name. Some users may be confused by this and enter their full name. This is not compliant with WCAG 2.1 guideline 2.4.6 (headings and labels).
Autocomplete attributes are not used on appropriate form fields. This is not compliant with WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.3.5 (identify input purpose).
The search field is initially announced as a link to screen reader users but then they are told to enter keywords to search. Similarly, when the create an account form fields receive focus, they are announced as being tables before the aria-labels are read out. This is not compliant with WCAG 2.1 guideline 1.3.1 (info and relationships).
Error messages identify issues and make suggestions on how errors can be resolved, but the messages can’t be fully read in the dialog box as the text is clipped. This fails WCAG 2.1 guidelines 1.4.10 (reflow) and 3.3.1 (error identification).
Error messages also disappear after 10 seconds and may not give users enough time to read the message. This fails WCAG 2.1 guideline 2.2.1 (time adjustable).
HTML code can appear in error messages. This is not compliant with WCAG 2.1 guideline 4.1.1 (parsing).
Instructions on how to create passwords are only presented in error messages. This fails WCAG 2.1 guideline 3.3.2 (labels and instructions).
Navigation and accessing information
There is no way to skip repeated links and move to the main content. This is not compliant with WCAG 2.1 guideline 2.4.1 (bypass blocks).
H1 headings have been hidden completely. This is not compliant with WCAG 2.1 guideline 1.3.1 (info and relationships).
On course pages, the H3 heading level has been skipped. This is not compliant with WCAG 2.1 guideline 1.3.1 (info and relationships).
Technology
The tab focus order does not follow a logical sequence with what’s presented visually on screen. For example, it is difficult for keyboard users to tab into the comment field of the help dialog box after selecting the help icon, as it comes at the end of the focus order and the help icon. This fails WCAG 2.1 guideline 2.4.3 (focus order).
It is difficult for users to know where on the page they are as many elements do not receive focus. Many of these elements are also not accessible by keyboard without the use of a screen reader.
This includes the:
- login icon
- categories link - only accessible with a mouse
- course panels on the homepage
- links to course videos - can be accessed by selecting the begin, next and previous buttons
- CAPTCHA.
This fails WCAG 2.1 guidelines 2.1.1 (keyboard) and 2.4.7 (focus visible).
When the website is viewed with CSS disabled, some links and elements do not appear or are deactivated. On course pages, content is hard to read as it overlaps each other. This fails WCAG 2.1 guidelines 1.3.2 (meaningful sequence).
Website code
The same ID is used for multiple elements across the website. This is not compliant with WCAG 2.1 guidelines 1.3.1 (info and relationships) and 4.1.1 (parsing).
The panels on the homepage displaying the courses, have an invalid aria role and is not compliant with WCAG 2.1 guideline 4.1.2 (name, role, value).
Disproportionate burden
Not applicable.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
Not applicable.
How we tested this service
This service was last tested on 10 September by Hammersmith & Fulham using:
- Accessibility for web
- Browser inspection tools
- Manual testing
- NVDA
- Siteimprove
- WAVE
- Web developer
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
We're working with the supplier, Digital Content Associates, to fix the issues in this statement and to make the system more usable for all users.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 15 September 2020. It was last reviewed on 9 April 2021.