The University’s website accessibility statement is part of a formal policy that addresses disability in the broadest sense. The University of Edinburgh is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all.Our commitment to accessibilityWe aim to create an environment that enables anyone to participate fully in the mainstream of university life.We have a formal policy that addresses disability, as defined by the Equality Act 2010, and includes:mobility and sensory impairmentsmental health issuesspecific learning differences (SpLD), including the autistic spectrum and Asperger's Syndromemedical conditions which may have an impact on day-to-day activitiesDisability policy documentsThe University has several policy documents concerning disability.The Equality and Diversity Strategy and Action PlanThere is a single equality strategy, for staff and students, to ensure that equality and diversity are guiding principles in our pursuit of academic excellence.Strategy and Action PlanThe University of Edinburgh Digital Accessibility PolicyThe University has a formal policy on digital accessibility. The policy states that the University of Edinburgh is committed to ensuring that its websites and applications are accessible to the widest possible audience, including disabled users.The University of Edinburgh Digital Accessibility PolicyWebsite standards complianceOur website is built using Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), according to World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards.It is designed to comply with our own accessibility standards, in line with recognised best practice.For example, our website follows the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and is working towards following the requirements and recommendations of the UK implementation of the International Standard - 'Information technology — Development of user interface accessibility'.Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) OverviewInternational Standard - Development of user interface accessibilityUK legislationPublic Sector Bodies Accessibility RegulationsAn EU directive on the accessibility of websites and web applications of public sector bodies came into force in September 2018. This was passed into UK law entitled as the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. This law reinforces the need to follow the standards above and in particular those defined in WCAG 2.1 AA standards.Making public sector websites and web applications accessiblePublic Sector Bodies Accessibility RegulationsEquality Act 2010The University of Edinburgh must also meet the Equality Act 2010:Equality Act 2010More guidance on the Equality Act can be found on the Equality and Human Rights Commission webpages:Equality Act 2010 guidanceAs part of the Equality Act the University as a Scottish public body must meet the (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012. Please note amendments were made to these in 2015 and 2016.Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012For more guidance see the Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance on the Scottish Specific DutiesEquality and Human Rights Commission guidance This article was published on 2024-11-12
