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At St George’s, University of London our aim is to ensure that all our websites and mobile applications in use are accessible to as many people as possible, including our students and staff, potential applicants, and other users.  

This page provides details of our progress in making our websites and mobile applications compliant with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 No.952.

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Accessibility statement for www.sgul.ac.uk

The following accessibility statement applies to the website www.sgul.ac.uk. 

This website is run by St George’s, University of London. We want to make sure that our website can be used by as many people as possible. 

 For example, that means you should be able to: 

  • change colours, contrast levels and fonts 
  • zoom in to up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen 
  • navigate most of the website using just your keyboard 
  • navigate most of the website using speech recognition software 
  • listen to most of the website using a screen reader. 

We have also tried to make the text on our website 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, such as: 

  • most older PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software 
  • some images do not have alternative text 
  • some video embeds do not have captions 
  • some elements on embedded items cannot be tabbed through using your keyboard 
  • elements on our online forms are difficult to use using only your keyboard 
  • a small number of elements are cut off when zoomed in to at 200% 
  • results in our site search may be skipped over or unrecognisable by assistive technologies.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different format such as accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please get in touch by emailing webdevelopment@sgul.ac.uk. 

We will consider your request and respond in 10 working days.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we are not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact our Digital Team by emailing webdevelopment@sgul.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). 

Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person 

We provide a text relay service for people who are D/deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment.  

Our offices have audio induction loops, or if you contact us before your visit, we can arrange a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.  

Find out how to contact us.  

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

St George’s, University of London 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 listed below. 

Non-accessible content

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

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations 

Some of our images do not have a useful alternative text, so people using a screen reader cannot access the information. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1. We are working through existing content to update this which we plan to have completed by December 2022. We are also training local editors to make sure new content meets accessibility standards.  

Many of our PDFs and Word documents do not meet accessibility standards (e.g. they may not be structured to be accessible for a screen reader). This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2 (name, role, value). We are working to replace as many essential historic documents as HTML pages or accessible files by December 2022 and will train local editors to implement accessible versions of new documents that are created. 

When zoomed at 200% or more our card slider card element is cut off, meaning it cannot be fully viewed. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.4 (resize text). However, arrow keys to scroll through these items are still available and can be used to view all items in the slider. We are working with our developers to generate a solution to this issue and hope to have something in place by October 2022. 

Multiple static elements have the same ID attribute: live-search-listing meaning assistive technologies may skip over or fail to recognise the difference between elements causing misinterpretations of content or functionality for users. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.1 (parsing). This issue relates to a custom search control which our developers are investigating to find a resolution which meets accessibility standards. We hope to have this in place by October 2022.

Content that is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations 

PDFs and other documents 

Many of our older PDFs and Word documents do not meet accessibility standard, for example they may not be structured in a way that is accessible to a screen reader. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2. The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services. 

We will aim to replace as many essential historic PDFs and Word documents as HTML pages or accessible files by December 2022 and will train local editors to implement accessible versions of new documents that are created.  

Audio and video content 

Prerecorded audio and video content is unlikely to be accompanied with alternative text, captions, audio description or sign language interpretation.  

This fails the following success criteria:  

  • 1.1.1 (non-text content)
  • 1.2.1 (audio-only and video-only - prerecorded) 
  • 1.2.2 (captions – prerecorded) 
  • 1.2.3 (audio description or media alternative - prerecorded) 
  • 1.2.5 (audio description - prerecorded) 
  • 1.2.6 (sign language - prerecorded) 
  • 1.2.7 (extended audio description - prerecorded) 
  • 1.2.8 (media alternative - prerecorded). 

We are working to ensure that all videos on our website are embedded from YouTube and therefore provide captions for users who need them. We do have some videos embedded on our site via other methods, but we are working to phase these out, so all videos are embedded from YouTube by the end of July 2022. 

What we’re doing to improve accessibility 

We are compiling changes to functionality that we can feasibly make to our site that will improve accessibility.  

We ensure that all local editors that are trained understand the importance of accessibility and are given guidance on this when becoming editors on the site. As well as this we are also engaging with owners of any St George’s-owned microsites to ensure that they are aware of and consider accessibility as part of their own content and functionality, especially at the conception of a new project. 

We also plan to introduce regular accessibility testing to monitor for non-compliance with WCAG 2.1 guidelines. 

How we test accessibility

Our Digital Team regularly check and test pages for accessibility purposes and to check that our site is accessibile for the people who need to use it based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.

We use the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool to test the pages on our site. This online tool identifies accessibility and WCAG errors.

Preparation of this statement 

This statement was prepared on 26 September 2019. It was last reviewed and updated on 1 June 2022. 

Accessibility statements for other St George’s websites
Third-party accessibility statements

St George’s uses a number of third-party systems and websites to deliver its service to students and staff of the University. We want as many people as possible to use these and we work with platform owners and content creators to ensure this. Below is a list of these systems and websites with links to individual accessibility statements or notes on accessibility compliance.

  • AAAS Science Journals

  • Acland's Video Atlas of Human Anatomy: We are liaising with the supplier (Wolters Kluwer) about an accessibility statement. We have been provided with a VPAT detailing compliance with WCAG2.0 Level A and AA dated 25th January 2019. We continue to liaise with the supplier on compliance with WCAG2.1 Level AA. (Last update: 23 June 2021)
  • All4Maternity - Practising Midwife: We continue to liaise with the supplier (All4Maternity) on compliance with WCAG2.1 Level AA. (Last update: 23 June 2021)
  • American Association of Immunologists - Journal of Immunology: We continue to liaise with the supplier (American Association of Immunologists) on their accessibility statement and compliance with WCAG2.1 Level AA. (Last update: 23 June 2021)
  • American Psychiatric Association Publishing - American Journal of Psychiatry
  • Annual Reviews - Annual Review Journals: We continue to liaise with the supplier (Annual Reviews) on compliance with WCAG2.1 Level AA. (Last update: 23 June 2021)

  • APA

  • ProQuest – ASSIA, British Nursing Index/Database

  • Better impact: Statement from Better impact software regarding accessibility “The volunteer, donor, and member facing portal of the software is in line with the WCAG2.1 guidelines. Additionally we have a consultant, who relies on a screen reader, assist us when we do major changes to this portal to help us not only meet the guidelines, but also make it as good an experience as possible."

  • BigBlueButton

  • BMJ and BMJ Journals collection: We are liaising with the supplier (BMJ) on compliance with the WCAG2.1 Level AA standard (currently WCAG2.1 Level A), there is a review currently underway including VPAT update. (Last update: 23 June 2021)
  • BMJ Best Practice : We are liaising with the supplier (BMJ) on compliance with the WCAG2.1 Level AA standard (the accessibility statement currently states WCAG2.1 Level A). BMJ have stated that ‘BMJ Best Practice ensures equality of access to users by endeavouring to be both Section 508 and WCAG2.1 compliant and duty bound to continuously review and make the necessary changes to remain compliant with WCAG2.1 Level AA’. (Last update: 23 June 2021)
  • BMJ Learning
  • British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery - Bone & Joint Journal : We continue to liaise with the supplier (British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery) on their accessibility statement and compliance with WCAG2.1 Level AA. (Last update: 23 June 2021)

  • Cambridge Core Journals Platform

  • Capsule - We are liaising with the supplier (Ocasta) , who have confirmed that an accessibility statement will be published on their site in summer 2021 to coincide with the release of new version of the web and mobile apps. These versions will be WCAG 2.1 AA compliant (Last update: 14 May 2021). Although we are responsible for ensuring the content we supply meets accessibility requirements, we are not responsible for the accessibility of the platform itself.

  • Cite Them Right Online
  • Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press - CSHL Journals : We continue to liaise with the supplier (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press) on their accessibility statement and compliance with WCAG2.1 Level AA. (Last update: 23 June 2021)
  • Complete Anatomy: Complete Anatomy was recently acquired by Elsevier and are currently working to adhere to the Elsevier Policy. A new User Interface (UI) system is under development, which is due for completion in the second half of 2021. Once completed the current audit will be refreshed and a VPAT created with Elsevier’s accessibility compliance department. (Last update: 23 June 2021)

  • Ebook Central (Proquest)

  • EBSCO : AMED, Cinahl Plus, Medline and EBSCO Educational Databases (British Education Index (BEI), Education Resource Information Center (ERIC), Educational Administration Abstracts, Education Abstracts, and Child Development and Adolescent Studies).

  • Elsevier

  • Elsevier/ScienceDirect

  • SORA (Eprints)

  • European Respiratory Society - European Respiratory Journal

  • EvaSys (SOLTS) - We are liaising with the supplier (EvaSys) about an Accessibility Statement. Although we are responsible for ensuring the content we supply meets accessibility requirements, we are not responsible for the accessibility of the platform itself. (Last Update: 23 June 2021)

  • FutureLearn

  • JAMA journals : We are liaising with the supplier (American Medical Association) on compliance with WCAG2.1 Level AA (current statement refers to WCAG2.0 standards). (Last update: 23 June 2021)

  • Kortext

  • LabCup : We are liaising with the supplier (LabCup) about accessibility compliance. Although we are responsible for ensuring the content we supply meets accessibility requirements, we are not responsible for the accessibility of the platform itself. (Last Update: 23 June 2021)
  • LWW Health Library : We are liaising with the supplier (Wolters Kluwer) about an accessibility statement. We have been provided with a VPAT detailing compliance with WCAG2.0 Level A and AA dated 28th January 2019. We continue to liaise with the supplier on compliance with WCAG2.1 Level AA. (Last update: 23 June 2021)
  • MA Healthcare/Mark Allen Group - MAH Complete (journal collection)
  • McGraw Hill Education

  • Mentimeter

  • Microbiology Society - Microbiology Society Journals package : We continue to liaise with the supplier (Microbiology Society) on their accessibility statement and compliance with WCAG2.1 Level AA. (Last update: 23 June 2021)

  • Microsoft Office – See Canvas statements above for how we ensure compliance with contents produced in MS Office environment.

  • Moodle – St George’s use of Moodle is now read only, as a result of our move to Canvas in 2017. Queries relating to Moodle should be directed to the Learning Technology Services team at LTS@sgul.ac.uk

  • National Academy of Sciences - PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) : We continue to liaise with the supplier (National Academy of Sciences) on their accessibility statement and compliance with WCAG2.1 Level AA. (Last update: 23 June 2021)

  • Nature Portfolio Journals

  • NDP.serve3 : We are liaising with the supplier (h) about accessibility compliance. Although we are responsible for ensuring the content we supply meets accessibility requirements, we are not responsible for the accessibility of the platform itself. (Last Update: 23 June 2021)
  • NEJM - New England Journal of Medicine : We are liaising with the supplier (NEJM) on compliance with WCAG2.1 Level AA (current statement and VPAT refers to WCAG2.0 Level A and AA). (Last update: 23 June 2021)
  • OvidSP – Books@Ovid, Embase, Global Health, Journals@Ovid, Maternity and Infant Care Database, Medline, PsycInfo: We are liaising with the supplier (Wolters Kluwer) about an accessibility statement. We have been provided with a VPAT detailing compliance with WCAG2.0 Level A and AA dated 18th July 2018. We continue to liaise with the supplier on compliance with WCAG2.1 Level AA. (Last update: 23 June 2021)

  • Oxford Academic Journals Platform

  • Oxford University Press - Oxford Medicine Online
  • Oxford University Press - Oxford Clinical Psychology

  • PhysioPlus - We are liaising with the supplier (PhysioPlus) about an Accessibility Statement (Sept 2020). Although we are responsible for ensuring the content we supply meets accessibility requirements, we are not responsible for the accessibility of the platform itself. (Last Update: 23 June 2021)

  • Physiotec: We are liaising with the supplier (Physiotec) about an Accessibility Statement (Sept 2020). Although we are responsible for ensuring the content we supply meets accessibility requirements, we are not responsible for the accessibility of the platform itself. (Last Update: 23 June 2021)

  • Physitrack: We are liaising with the supplier (Physitrack) about an Accessibility Statement (Sept 2020). Although we are responsible for ensuring the content we supply meets accessibility requirements, we are not responsible for the accessibility of the platform itself. (Last Update: 23 June 2021)

  • Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) interface: We are liaising with the supplier (PSA) about an Accessibility Statement (Sept 2020). Although we are responsible for ensuring the content we supply meets accessibility requirements, we are not responsible for the accessibility of the platform itself. (Last Update: 23 June 2021)

  • Primo (aka Hunter) (Exlibris)

  • ProQuest – RefWorks
  • ProQuest – ASSIA, British Nursing Index/Database

  • RCNi Journals

  • Rockefeller University Press - Journal package

  • SAGE Journals
  • Society for Neuroscience - Journal of Neuroscience : We continue to liaise with the supplier (Society for Neuroscience) on their accessibility statement and compliance with WCAG2.1 Level AA. (Last update: 23 June 2021)
  • SpeakingClinically: The supplier provides a short accessibility statement on their website at https://speakingclinically.co.uk/about/ . Although we are responsible for ensuring the content we supply meets accessibility requirements, we are not responsible for the accessibility of the platform itself. (Last Update: 11 June 2021)

  • Springer

  • Stratocore PPMS: Stratocore PPMS WCAG 2.1 Compliance report is available here (PDF).

  • Taylor & Francis online

  • Turnitin

  • University of Toronto Press - Physiotherapy Canada (Journal)
  • VleBooks

  • Wakelet : We are liaising with the supplier (Wakelet) about accessibility compliance (Sept 2020). Although we are responsible for ensuring the content we supply meets accessibility requirements, we are not responsible for the accessibility of the platform itself. (Last Update: 23rd June 2021)

  • Web of Science

  • Wiley Online Library

 

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