This accessibility statement applies to www.gcu.ac.uk.
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 without the text spilling off the screen
- Navigate the website using just a keyboard
- Navigate the website using speech recognition software
- Listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)
- We’re continually working to make 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:
- Most older PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software
- Live video streams do not have captions.
What we're doing to improve accessibility
GCU is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible website. The University has invested in a new website, which is designed specifically to meet the WCAG 2.1 AA requirements.
Our accessibility roadmap shows how and when we plan to improve accessibility on this website. Please contact us for a copy of our accessibility roadmap at accessibility@gcu.ac.uk.
Glasgow Caledonian University 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 and exemptions listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
Issues with PDFs and documents
Some of our PDFs and Word documents are essential to providing our services. For example, we have PDFs with information about course specifications (PSPs) and our fees and refund policy.
As part of a University-wide accessibility project, we have been providing all staff with training about creating accessible documents and PDFs. Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards, with legacy documents made accessible by June 2024.
Interactive tools and transactions
Our third party floating chat window is only partially accessible to screen readers. We are working with them to improve accessibility within their product.
Third party embeds
We use a third party application for student recruitment, Unibuddy, that is only partially accessible to screen readers. We are working with them to improve accessibility within their product.
We use third party embed code for social platform embedding of Facebook and Twitter to show latest posts. The inaccessibility of this content is off-set by links to the relevant user account published within the same component.
We use third party YouTube embed codes throughout the website for video hosting. As part of ongoing content processes, we are working with providers to create transcripts for all new videos that are embedded.
Disproportionate burden
As part of our ongoing assessment of accessibility, we are assessing the cost of fixing issues with navigation and accessing information, and with interactive tools and transactions in relation to disproportionate burden.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
PDFs and other documents
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.
Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards. We will continue to fix or replace our essential PDF and Word documents with accessible HTML pages (see above section: non-compliance with the accessibility regulations Issues with PDFs and documents for more information).
Video
We do not plan to add captions to live video streams because live video is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.
Some video published before 23 September, 2020 does not have captions and we do not plan to add captions, because it is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.
Reproductions of some items from the University archive and from heritage collections may not be fully accessible; these are exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 15 May, 2022. It was last reviewed on 16 October, 2023.
The University’s Department of Marketing uses two methods of testing for accessibility.
Automated testing
The University has invested in a website quality improvement platform, SiteImprove, which performs a detailed check of content and functionality for WCAG 2.1 AA compliance. This tool is implemented across both gcu.ac.uk and gculondon.ac.uk domains and provides weekly report of ongoing and new issues.
Manual testing
This website was last manually tested May 2022. The test was carried out on approximately 100% of gcu.ac.uk webpages which included a selection of pages with a variety of templates, page layouts and components.
If you would like to provide general feedback about this website, not requiring a response, please email brand@gcu.ac.uk.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website:
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact:
- Email: accessibility@gcu.ac.uk
- Tel: +44 141 273 1234
- Address: Directorate of Communications and Digital Engagement, Accessibility, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA
We’ll consider your request and get back to you within five working days.
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:
The University's contact details are available on our website.
British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us via contactSCOTLAND-BSL, Scotland's national BSL interpreting video relay service.
If you are visiting us in person, our campus map provides an overview of our campus buildings. If you cannot view the map on our ‘contact us’ page, please call, email or write to us for directions. More detailed access guides for our campus buildings can be found on our AccessAble website.
GCU is committed to providing an inclusive student experience, which offers all students the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Our Disability Team provides advice, information and services to disabled students and applicants.
Please contact our student support team if you have any queries relating to your own needs, or if you wish to know more about GCU’s approach to supporting disabled students.