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Accessibility statement for SkillSetPlus

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 SkillSetPlus website.

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.

What you can do on this website

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).
  • 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-compliances and 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 know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:

Visible focus disappears for keyboard users

Some visible focus indicators disappear when using a keyboard. People using a keyboard will find it difficult to understand where they are on a page. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 2.4.7: Focus Visible (Level AA) and will be resolved by the end of June 2027.

Page headings aren’t described correctly

Some page headings don’t adequately describe their topic or purpose. People with cognitive disabilities and people using screen readers will find it more difficult to understand the content related to these headings. This WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 2.4.6 Headings and Labels (Level AA) and will be resolved by the end of June 2027.

Page headings aren’t structured correctly

Some page headings aren’t structured in a logical way. People using screen readers will find it more difficult to navigate and understand the structure of content. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A) and will be resolved by the end of June 2027.

Pages are missing a h1 heading

Some pages are missing a h1 heading. Without a h1 heading, people using screen readers must listen to more of the page to work out its structure. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A) and will be resolved by the end of June 2027.

Zooming and scaling has been disabled

Pages disable the ability to pinch and zoom on some mobile devices. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.4.4 Resize Text (Level AA) and will be resolved by the end of June 2027.

Form fields are missing labels

Some form fields don’t have programmatically related labels. People using a screen reader and people using voice recognition software will find it harder to navigate to and understand form fields. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 3.3.2 Labels or instructions (Level A) and will be resolved by the end of June 2027.

Link text isn’t descriptive

Some link text doesn’t provide enough information about the destination of the link. This makes it difficult for people using a screen reader to know where the link will take them, particularly if they are reading links out of context, (e.g., in a list of links). This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 2.4.4 Link Purpose (Level A) and will be resolved by the end of June 2027.

Error messages aren’t announced

When information is entered incorrectly, error messages aren’t announced by screen readers. People using screen readers will find it more difficult to understand that they have entered information incorrectly. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (Level A) and will be resolved by the end of June 2027.

Landmarks are missing a unique label

Same role ‘navigation’ landmarks are missing a unique label. People using screen readers will find it more difficult to understand what content each landmark contains. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks (Level A) and will be resolved by the end of June 2027.

When zoomed navigation links disappear

Some navigation links disappear when pages are zoomed to 400% or when viewed on mobile devices. When logged in, people with low vision or using mobile devices won’t be able to access these navigation links. This fails WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.4.10 Reflow (Level AA) and will be resolved by the end of June 2027.

We are working to address these issues as part of ongoing improvements to the website.

Content not within scope of the accessibility regulations

  • Pre-recorded audio and video published before 23 September 2020.
  • Live audio and video.
  • Heritage collections like scanned manuscripts.
  • PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 – unless users need them to use a service, for example a form that lets you request school meal preferences.
  • Maps – but you’ll need to provide essential information in an accessible format like an address.
  • Third party content that’s under someone else’s control if you did not pay for it or develop it yourself – for example, social media ‘like’ buttons.
  • Content on intranets or extranets published before 23 September 2019 (unless you make a major revision after that date).
  • Archived websites if they’re not needed for services your organisation provides and they are not updated.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 15 June 2026.

It was last reviewed on 15 June 2026.

The website was last tested on 5 May 2026. The website was retested on 15 June 2026.

The tests were carried out by the Accessibility and Usability Evaluation (AUE) Team at the Open University on a sample of pages from highly visited sites. The pages were chosen to be representative of different types of content and platform. Each sample page was tested against all of the WCAG 2.2 AA criteria using a combination of manual and automated test methods. Test methods included:

  • Alternative text
  • Colour contrast
  • Content resizing
  • Content structure
  • Form labels
  • Page language
  • Link text
  • Keyboard support
  • Landmark and heading structure
  • Skip link

The assistive technologies used to test content included:

  • Screen readers
  • Keyboard
  • Screen magnifiers
  • Speech recognition software
  • Text resizing
  • Windows High Contrast

This testing will continue to be carried out across the digital estate to ensure The Open University is constantly monitoring and improving accessibility.

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.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re committed to improving accessibility. If you find any issues, please contact us using the details above.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the accessibility regulations.

If you’re not satisfied with how we respond to your complaint, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

The Open University

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