The University of Edinburgh Archives Online
Accessibility Statement
Website accessibility statement in line with Public Sector Body (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018
This accessibility statement applies to the University of Edinburgh Archives Online: https://www.archives.lib.ed.ac.uk/
This website is hosted by the University of Edinburgh Library on behalf of the University of Edinburgh. It provides links to various archives-related resources and finding aids within the university. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this application. For example, that means you should be able to:
• using your browser settings, customise the website via change colours, contrast levels and fonts;
• magnify text to 200% without loss of text
• navigate most of the website using just a keyboard;
• listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of Job Access with Speech (JAWS);
• Navigate to most of the site using voice recognition software e.g., Dragon
• no information will be conveyed by colour or sound;
• experience no time limits when using the website or encounter flashing, scrolling or moving text.
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. This is an external website with suggestions to make your computer more accessible:
AbilityNet - My Computer My Way
With a few simple steps you can customise the appearance of our website using your browser settings to make it easier to read and navigate:
Additional information on how to customise our website appearance
If you are a member of University staff or a student, you can use the free SensusAccess accessible document conversion service:
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:
• Not all links contain correctly formatted hypertext;
• Not all non-text content has appropriate alternative text;
• A 'skip to main content' option is not present throughout the website;
• The website is not fully compatible with mobile accessibility functionality (Android, iOS);
• Not all links have warnings when content opens in a new window or tab
• There is no help section and the link for contact details does not work
• Some portable document format (PDF) files are not fully accessible;
• Reflow is not possible up to 400% on all pages
If you need information on this website in a different format, including accessible PDF, large print, audio recording or braille please contact us:
• By using the IS Helpline online contact form:
• Or phoning:
+44 (0)131 651 5151
• Or email:
British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us via Contact Scotland BSL, the on-line BSL interpreting service:
We'll consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.
We are 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, please contact us:
• By using the IS Helpline online contact form:
• Or phoning:
+44 (0)131 651 5151
• Or email:
We will consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.
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 please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) directly:
Contact details for the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS)
The government has produced information on how to report accessibility issues:
Reporting an accessibility problem on a public sector website
Contact Scotland BSL runs a service for British Sign Language users and all of Scotland's public bodies using video relay. This enables sign language users to contact public bodies and vice versa. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Contact Scotland BSL service details
The University of Edinburgh is committed to making its websites and applications 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 (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
The full guidelines are available at:
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard
Non accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Noncompliance with the accessibility regulations
The following items do not comply with the WCAG 2.2 AA success criteria:
• Some non-text content does not have text alternatives
• Reflow does not work at 400% for all web pages
• It may not be possible to bypass information which is repeated on multiple pages
• Some of our page titles do not fully describe the page content
• The default language of each page may not be identified.
• Not all hyperlinks use meaningful text
2.4.4 Link Purpose (in context)
• Some links open in a new window without warning the user
• Voice Recognition software is not fully compatible with the system
• Not all PDF documents are fully accessible
Unless specified otherwise, a complete solution, or significant improvement, will be in place by December 2024. At this time, we believe all items are within our control.
At this time, we are not claiming any disproportionate burden.
At this time, we do not believe that any content is outside the scope of the accessibility regulations.
We will continue to address and make adequate improvements to the accessibility issues highlighted. Unless specified otherwise, a complete solution or significant improvement will be in place by December 2024.
While we are in the process of resolving these accessibility issues we will ensure reasonable adjustments are in place to make sure no user is disadvantaged. As changes are made, we will continue to review accessibility and retest the accessibility of this website.
This statement was first prepared on 4th October 2021. It was last reviewed on 08 January 2024.
This website was first tested on 10th September 2020 and last tested on 30 August 2023. The testing in 2020 was carried out by The University of Edinburgh Library and University Collections Digital Library Development team using the automated WAVE WebAIM and Little Forest testing tools.
This website was last manually tested by the Anna Richards, Library and University Collections, University of Edinburgh in August 2023. This was primarily using the Google Chrome (119.0.6045.160), Mozilla Firefox (115.6.0esr), and Microsoft Edge (119.0.2151.72) browsers for comparative purposes.
Recent world-wide usage levels survey for different screen readers and browsers shows that Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge are increasing in popularity and Google Chrome is now the favoured browser for screen readers:
WebAIM: Screen Reader User Survey
The aforementioned three browsers have been used in certain questions for reasons of breadth and variety.
We ran automated testing using WAVE WebAIM and Little Forest then manual testing that included:
• Spell check functionality;
• Scaling using different resolutions and reflow;
• Options to customise the interface (magnification, font, background colour, etc);
• Keyboard navigation and keyboard traps;
• Data validation;
• Warning of links opening in new tab or window;
• Information conveyed in the colour or sound only;
• Flashing, moving or scrolling text;
• Any dragging functionality;
• Any cognitive tests.;
• Any forms that require a user to re-enter data they have already provided
• Use with screen reading software (for example JAWS);
• Assistive software (TextHelp Read and Write, Windows Magnifier, ZoomText, Dragon Naturally Speaking, TalkBack and VoiceOver);
• Tooltips and text alternatives for any non-text content;
• Time limits;
• Compatibility with mobile accessibility functionality (Android and iOS).
Since our first evaluation and statement, which was based on automated testing, we have undertaken extensive manual testing. This includes utilising a range of assistive technology to ensure we have a clear picture of the accessibility issues and how best to resolve them.