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Accessibility statement for Podcast

The Open University is committed to making its websites and mobile applications accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

This accessibility statement applies to the Podcast website (https://podcast.open.ac.uk/).

We want as many people as possible to be able to use our websites and mobile apps, and accessibility is an essential part of our mission. On our Accessibility hub, you'll find everything you need to answer any questions you have about accessibility, whether you're a student or a member of staff.

To adapt the content to your needs or preferences you should be able to:

  • Change colours, contrasts levels and fonts.
  • Resize text up to 200% without impact on the functionality of the website.
  • Zoom in up to 400% without loss of information or functionality.
  • Navigate the website using just a keyboard.
    • tab to ‘Skip to content’ links at the top of the page to jump over repetitive information to the main content.
    • tab through the content; the current location will be indicated by a clear visual change.
    • control the embedded media player to play audio and video materials.
  • Use a screen reader (e.g. JAWs, NVDA) to:
    • listen to the content of web pages and use any functionality on the page.
    • list the headings and subheadings in the page and then jump to their location on the page.
    • bring up a list of meaningful links on the page.
  • Use transcripts or closed captions with most audio and video materials.
  • Download learning materials in alternative formats (e.g. Word document, PDF, ePub, Kindle eBook).
  • If you have a print disability we provide SensusAccess to students, which is an automated service that converts files from one format to another, for example, PDF to text, audio, Word or Braille.
  • AbilityNet also provides advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliance(s)and the exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reason(s):

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

We are working to improve the provision of closed captions and transcripts for audio visual material hosted on this website.

At present the website does not support audio descriptions or full text alternatives on video.

The Open University provides links to external websites that may not meet accessibility standards.

Current Accessibility issues:

Issues detected have been grouped in WCAG 2.2 conformance levels, A, AA and AAA, this section will be updated when a full accessibility audit has been undertaken by December 2025.

Level A
Tab list not defined correctly

A tab list has been define but elements within have not been correctly identified, this might causes issue when keyboard navigation using the Tab key is used.

This fails WCAG 2.2 A 1.3.1 Section 508 (2017) A 1.3.1.

HTML form control has no accessible name

The Search feature on the website uses a form which may not be functional using screen readers.

This fails WCAG 2.2 A F68 Section 508 (2017) A F68.

Alternative text for image:

Some images used for the interface do not have informative text alternative to adequately describe their purpose, or have features not suitably accessible.

This fails WCAG 2.2 A F30 Section 508 (2017) A F30

Tables used for layout:

Some tables are used for layout purposes and are not marked up such that screen readers may not identify them as such. In addition nested tables are used for layouts which often do not make sense to screen readers.

This fails WCAG 2.2 A F91 Section 508 (2017) A F91 and WCAG 2.2 A F49 Section 508 (2017) A F49.

Links using colour change do not work for colour-blind users:

This issue has been identified by automatic testing but appears to affect user interface element that do not usually display for end users.

This fails WCAG 2.2 A F73 Section 508 (2017) A F73, a full accessibility audit will reveal how best to resolve this issue.

Links appear to go to same destination due to page titles been identical:

Screen reader users and some users in general may find difficulty navigating the website as many pages share the same title.

This fails WCAG 2.2 A F63 Section 508 (2017) A F63.

Page titles are not unique:

Many website pages share the same title which can make it hard for screen reader users to navigate the site due to pages appearing to be the same.

This fails WCAG 2.2 A F25 Section 508 (2017) A F25.

Visual Labels missing:

Users that depend on speech control to select page elements may find difficulties regarding some elements of the website.

This fails WCAG 2.2 A F96 Section 508 (2017) A F96.

Skip link broken:

A skip link points to a non-existing destination on the page.

This fails WCAG 2.2 A 2.4.1 Section 508 (2017) A 2.4.1.

Language of the web page not identified

Not all web pages include a language code which can affect the pronunciation of words in screen readers.

This fails WCAG 2.2 A 3.1.1 Section 508 (2017) A 3.1.1.

Provision of Captions:

Closed Captions and transcripts not universally provided for all audio visual content hosted on the website.

This fails WCAG 2.2 A 1.2.2 Section 508 (2017) A 1.2.2.

Provision of audio descriptions or full text alternatives for video:

Audio descriptions are not currently supported, or a way to provide full text alternatives on video content hosted on the web site.

This fails WCAG 2.2 A 1.2.3 Section 508 (2017) A 1.2.3.

Level AA
Text and background colours lack enough contrast:

Small font sizes require a 4.5:1 contrast ratio to meet the standard, with larger text requiring 3:1 contrast ratio. The user may encounter visual difficulties in reading some text.

This fails WCAG 2.2 AA 1.4.3.

Focus outline style removed on some links:

This can cause users to have difficulties navigating the web page using keyboard controls since it may not be clear what they have currently selected.

This fails WCAG 2.2 AA F78 Section 508 (2017) AA F78.

Provision of audio descriptions for video:

Audio descriptions are not currently supported, or a way to provide full text alternatives on video content hosted on the web site.

This fails WCAG 2.2 AA 1.2.5 Section 508 (2017) A 1.2.5.

Level AAA
Text and background colours should have a high contrast:

Small font sizes require a high 7:1 contrast ratio to meet the standard, with larger text requiring 4.5:1 contrast ratio. The user may encounter visual difficulties in reading some text.

This fails WCAG 2.2 AAA 1.4.6.

Links with same link text go to different destinations:

Screen readers and users in general may not be able to readily identify the difference between different links, this largely affects subject area navigation on the website and Podcast track selection.

This fails WCAG 2.2 AAA 2.4.9.

Some of the content is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

  • Live audio and video
  • Pre-recorded audio and video published before 23 September 2020
  • PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018

Some event replays may have transcripts of the video or audio replays linked on them.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 22nd January 2025.

This statement was last reviewed on 22nd January 2025.

This website was last tested on 22nd January 2025. The testing approach taken involved Digital Development Services (STEM-TS) at the Open University running an accessibility evaluation tool against sample pages of the website.

There are three principle web page types used on the site:

  • The home page which provides links to featured podcasts and allows navigation to subject areas
  • Subject area pages which contain sub topics and podcasts presented by subject
  • Podcast pages, which provide a list of tracks to audio, video or pdf content

Tests reports linked below reflect the three web page types described above:

Feedback and contact information

If you find that a certain section of our website is not accessible and you can’t get access to the information that you need please use the Open University Accessibility Feedback Form to request support and we will ensure that you are provided with the information you require. You will need to provide your contact details and Personal Identifier if you are a student so we can get back to you. You should expect to hear back from us within 5 working days.

The OU is very experienced in meeting accessibility needs for our students. In many cases we are able to provide module and other study support materials in alternative formats for students who indicate a need for this when completing a Disability Support Form.

In addition, some module materials are available in different formats and can be downloaded from module websites. Students can contact their Student Support Team for advice.

If you are a student, or someone who has had contact with the University before, and have a complaint about the accessibility of our websites, you should raise a complaint via the complaints and appeals process.

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 are based in the UK, and you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).