Create or manage web content
Websites you manage e.g. CMS, WordPress, other websites, and web content you create
Digital accessibility regulations
Digital accessibility regulations are in force for public sector websites and apps.
What do the regulations mean?
Lancaster University has to meet the requirements of the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations (PSBAR). This means that our websites and mobile apps need to be accessible. This includes information, applications, services and content.
We all have a responsibility to make sure the University meets them, and we may be breaking the law if our websites or apps don’t. If you use a computer as part of your role this will almost certainly have implications for the way you work.
IMORTANT: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are being updated in 2023 so we anticipate further changes to the way we create digital content.
About the accessibility regulations
What do you do?
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Teach online and use Moodle
Learning materials you create for Moodle, including captioning, and more about teaching online
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Use social media
e.g. YouTube, Twitter, Facebook - see guidance on Answers
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Create documents and other resources
Includes docs that you send by email, or surveys that you create - scroll down to find useful links
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Use online tools for teaching, research or admin
Third party tools not owned and managed by Lancaster University, eg Padlet
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Develop or design new IT systems
Includes systems that we design and build here, or purchase from third party suppliers
Quick links - how to create accessible content
All digital content should be me made accessible from the outset – even if you aren’t intending to upload it to the Web. Go to Creating accessible resources or use the quick links below:
Training and getting help
For a better understanding of your legal obligations for the production of accessible documents and resources, you should take our Creating Accessible Resources online course.
The course should take 1-2 hours to complete.
Tools to help you
There are a variety of tools that you can use to test accessibility:
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Ally for Moodle
Use Ally to check content on Moodle
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Microsoft accessibility checker
Easy-to-use tool for Microsoft Office apps
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University templates
Word and PowerPoint - coming soon!
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Colour contrast
Use Colour Contrast Analyser via AppsAnywhere
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Video captions and transcripts
Turn on for live events or when recording content
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Manual checks
Follow checklist advice to find issues that automated tools might overlook
