Accessibility Statement for Computing Research

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 https://computing-research.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, contrast 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).
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) listed below.

Non-accessible content

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Ensure form controls have labels

Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation can be programmatically determined or are available in text. This fails WCAG 2.0 Success Criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships and will be resolved by 07/12/2027

Avoid linking to anchors that do not exit

A mechanism is available to bypass blocks of content that are repeated on multiple web pages. This fails WCAG 2.0 Success Criterion 2.4.1: Bypass Blocks and will be resolved by end of December 2027.

Ensure headings include text

Combine adjacent links with the same destination

The purpose of each link can be determined from the link text alone or from the link text together with its programmatically determined link context, except where the purpose of the link would be ambiguous to users in general. This fails Success Criterion 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) and will be resolved by the end of December 2027.

Write lists or groups of links semantically

Add a scope to table headings

Define lists correctly

Ensure links can be used by screen readers WCAG 2.0 A 4.1.2

For all user interface components (including but not limited to: form elements, links and components generated by scripts), the name and role can be programmatically determined; states, properties, and values that can be set by the user can be programmatically set; and notification of changes to these items is available to user agents, including assistive technologies. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value and will be resolved by 07/12/2027

Specify a title for all frames WCAG 2.0 A 2.4.1

Web pages have titles that describe topic or purpose. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 2.4.2 Page Titled and will be resolved by 07/12/2027

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 6 October 2026

This statement was last reviewed on 6 October 2026

This website was last tested on 6 October 2026

The testing approach taken involved:

W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) checks (alternative text, content structure, language of page, keyboard navigation, skip links)
Silktide (a continuous site-wide monitoring tool that regularly scans/crawls pages to surface accessibility and quality issues e.g., broken links, readability/content checks, usability and compliance risks, so they can be tracked and remediated over time).
Manual checks (content resizing, captions)

This included the following test methods:

WAVE, Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool
Keyboard-only testing
Zoom testing.

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).

Computing Research

Undertaking distinctive, leading edge research