The Academy World Accessibility Policy
Our Commitment
The Academy World is dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all individuals, regardless of disability. We strive to ensure that our website, online courses, and services are usable and accessible to everyone, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities.
Web Accessibility Standards
We aim to adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA success criteria, which are internationally recognised standards for web accessibility. You can find more information about WCAG 2.1 Level AA here: https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/
Our ongoing efforts to meet these standards include:
Keyboard Navigation: Our website can be fully navigated using a keyboard alone, without the need for a mouse.
Screen Reader Compatibility: Our content is compatible with screen readers, which are software applications that convert text to speech or braille.
Clear and Consistent Layout: Our website has a clear and consistent layout that is easy to understand and navigate.
Alternative Text for Images: We provide descriptive alternative text (alt text) for all images so that screen reader users can understand their content.
Captions and Transcripts: We provide captions for videos and transcripts for audio content to ensure accessibility for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Colour Contrast: We use colour combinations that meet WCAG contrast ratio standards to ensure that text and other visual elements are easily distinguishable.
Resizeable Text: Users can adjust the font size on our website to their preferences.
Clear and Simple Language: We use clear and straightforward language in our content to make it easy for everyone to understand.
Course Accessibility
We strive to make our online courses accessible to all learners. This includes:
Flexible Learning Options: We offer flexible learning options, such as self-paced courses, on-demand webinars, and downloadable materials in various formats.
Alternative Formats: We can provide course materials in alternative formats, such as large print, braille, or audio, upon request.
Captions and Transcripts: We strive to provide captions for all video lectures and transcripts for audio content to ensure accessibility for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Accessibility Support: We offer personalised support for learners with disabilities, including providing additional assessment time, arranging for note-takers, and connecting learners with assistive technology resources.
Third-Party Content
While we strive to ensure that all content on our website is accessible, we may sometimes link to or embed content from third-party websites or platforms. We are not responsible for the accessibility of this third-party content, but we will make reasonable efforts to select and work with providers who prioritise accessibility.
Feedback and Continuous Improvement
We welcome user feedback to help us identify and address any accessibility barriers. If you need help accessing our website, courses, or services, please contact us at support@theacademy.world. We are committed to continuous improvement and will use your feedback to enhance the accessibility of our offerings.
Grievance Procedure
If you have a complaint about the accessibility of our website, courses, or services, please follow our standard complaints procedure, which can be found on our website.
Accessibility Statement
We have published a separate Accessibility Statement on our website, which provides a detailed overview of our accessibility features and commitments.
Regular Audits and Testing
We conduct regular accessibility audits and testing of our website and online courses to identify and address any potential barriers. We use a combination of automated tools and manual testing to ensure that our content meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
Employee Training
The Academy World is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment for all individuals. To achieve this, we provide ongoing training to our employees on accessibility best practices and how to support learners with diverse needs. This training covers:
Understanding the Equality Act 2010: Employees are educated on the legal requirements and principles of the Equality Act 2010, which protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination.
Identifying and Addressing Barriers: Employees learn to identify potential barriers to accessibility in our courses, services, and facilities, and how to proactively address these barriers to ensure equal access for all.
Effective Communication: Staff members are trained in effective communication strategies for interacting with individuals with disabilities, including those with visual, auditory, cognitive, and mobility impairments.
Assistive Technologies: Employees learn how to use and support the use of assistive technologies, such as screen readers, magnifiers, captioning software, and alternative input devices.
Creating Accessible Content: Staff are trained in creating accessible course materials and content, including using clear and concise language, providing alternative formats (e.g., audio, large print), and ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies.
Providing Reasonable Adjustments: Employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills to assess and provide reasonable adjustments to learners with disabilities, as required by law, to ensure they have equal opportunities to participate and succeed in our courses and programs.
By providing this comprehensive training, we ensure that our employees are well-equipped to support learners with disabilities and create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone at The Academy.
Accessible Procurement
We strive to procure accessible products and services whenever possible, including software, hardware, and other tools used by The Academy or our learners.
Legal Compliance
We are committed to complying with the UK Equality Act 2010, the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
Date of Last Review
This Accessibility Policy was last reviewed on 10/09/24.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or feedback about our accessibility policy, please contact us at support@theacademy.world