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  6. Accessibility Statement for OU Myprogress app

Accessibility Statement for OU Myprogress app

  1. How accessible this app is
  2. Feedback and contact information
  3. Reporting accessibility problems with this app
  4. Enforcement procedure
  5. Contacting us
  6. Technical information about this app's accessibility
  7. Compliance Status
  8. Non accessible content
  9. Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
  10. Disproportionate burden
  11. Content that's not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
  12. What we’re doing to improve accessibility
  13. Preparation of this accessibility statement

This accessibility statement applies to both the android and iOS versions of the OU Myprogress app owned by MyKnowledgeMap, available at Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The Open University contract with MyKnowledgeMap, a third-party company, to provide our ePortfolio tool. 

We want as many people as possible to be able to use our websites and apps, and accessibility is an essential part of our mission. To adapt the content of the app to your needs or preferences you should be able to:

  • Increase text size.  
  • Increase display size.
  • Tab through the content; the current location will be indicated by a clear visual change.
  • Use zoom to magnify the screen.  
  • Use a screen reader (VoiceOver for IOS and TalkBack for Android).
  • Use single pointer gestures (e.g., requiring only one finger or pointer) which do not require precise movement (e.g., swiping) (this works on Android). 

How accessible this app is

We strive to exceed current accessibility standards. However, we know some elements of this app are not fully accessible:

  • It is not currently possible to switch between portrait and landscape orientations.

iOS only

No additional reported matters.

Android only

  • When using talkback (Google screen reader included on Android devices), links are sometimes labelled as buttons.

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Feedback and contact information

If you find that a certain section of our app 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 Open University is very experienced in meeting the accessibility needs of our students. In many cases, we are able to provide modules and other study support materials in alternative formats for students who indicate a need for this when completing a Disability Support Form.

Students can contact their Student Support Team for ongoing advice and guidance.

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Reporting accessibility problems with this app

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of our apps. If you find a problem that isn’t already listed on this page, or you think we’re not meeting the requirements of the current accessibility regulations (Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018), please use the Open University Accessibility Feedback Form which is monitored daily. 

We will ask you for the Mobile App name, details of the screen and a description of the problem. We will also ask for your name and email address so that we can contact you about your feedback. You should expect to hear back from us within 5 working days.

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Enforcement procedure

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 and apps, you should raise a complaint via the complaints and appeals process. 

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 not happy with our response and all our procedures have been exhausted, please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS). If you are based in Northern Ireland you can contact the Equalities Commission for Northern Ireland Equalities Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI).

If you are neither a student, nor someone who has had contact with the University before and have a complaint about the accessibility of our website, you should go directly to the EASS.

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Contacting us

If you wish to contact us about anything not covered above, please visit our Contact Page where we have a comprehensive list of services to suit your specific enquiry and requirements.

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Technical information about this app's accessibility

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

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Compliance Status

This app is ‘partially compliant’ with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below..

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Non accessible content  

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Following on from the accessibility audit of the OU Myprogress app, MyKnowledgeMap, the third-party developer of the app, will aim to resolve the identified issues by June 2024, at which point we will update this statement with further details. They will prioritise issues that have the biggest impact on users of the app.

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Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Display orientation on both iOS and Android

The orientation of the app remains locked in portrait mode even when the device is rotated to landscape display orientation. Users should be able to switch between portrait and landscape orientations on their device, with the page adjusting accordingly. This fails WCAG Success Criterion 1.3.4 Orientation (Level A). This issue will be resolved by December 2024.

Labelling and markup issues

Focus order issues

  • Illogical focus order in tab navigation: When navigating section 1, section 2, and section 3 tab panels in the Apprentice Reflections form, the screen reader focus order does not follow the tab panel navigation pattern (or the visual layout of the content). This fails WCAG Success Criterion 2.4.3 Focus Order (level A). This issue will be resolved by June 2024.
  • The text input fields following the headings Off the Job and Additional Support Needs do not receive focus. This fails WCAG Success Criterion 2.4.3 Focus Order (level A). This issue will be resolved by June 2024.

 Issues primarily affecting screen reader users

  • The table associated with the Likert scale is not accessible with screen readers: It is not clear which Switch button is associated with which option, and it can be very confusing for screen reader users. This fails WCAG Success Criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (level A). This issue will be resolved by June 2024.
  • Form submission status: On saving an incomplete form and closing, or on submitting a completed form, the status message indicating whether the form has been saved as a draft or submitted successfully is not automatically announced by screen readers. This fails WCAG Success Criterion 4.1.3 Status Messages (Level AA). This issue will be resolved in June 2024.
  • Confusing section layout: There are three sections displayed as tabs on the Apprentice goals and confirmation screen next to each other. There is also a Next button in section 1 to move to section 2, although all three sections are displayed on the same screen, resulting in too many form fields on one screen. In addition to screen reader users, This can impact users with cognitive impairments. This fails WCAG Success Criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (level A). This issue will be resolved by June 2024.
  • Instructions are provided within a text field: Text fields are used to provide instructions in some forms, which can be very confusing. Users normally expect text fields to be edit/input fields, and instructions to be included outside the text field. This fails WCAG Success Criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (level A). This issue will be resolved by June 2024.
  • The selection status of the multiple-choice options in the Apprentice Online Manager signoff form is not announced by the screen reader. When a user selects Yes or No in this form, the screen reader does not announce the selection status of the option. For example, it does not say 'Yes radio button checked', or 'Yes selected'. When reviewing the entire form later, screen reader users won't be able to identify which option they selected. This fails WCAG Success Criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (level A). This issue will be resolved by June 2024.

Colour contrast issues

Error message issues

  • Unclear error messages: On submitting an incomplete form, the error message displayed quotes the question number and states 'This field is mandatory'. But there are no actual question numbers within the form to refer back to. This fails WCAG Success Criterion 3.3.3 Error suggestion (Level AA). This issue will be resolved in June 2024.

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Disproportionate burden

We are not claiming Disproportionate Burden for this website.

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Content not within the scope of the accessibility regulation

We do not have anything out of scope in this app.

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What we’re doing to improve accessibility

The Open University is committed to accessibility and demonstrates this in a number of different ways:

The Securing Greater Accessibility team (SeGA) was set up in 2010 as a university-wide initiative to promote accessibility and inclusive practice and support students and staff. SeGA offers training and guidance in accessibility in teaching and learning and oversees forums and activities for a wider community of practice and research. SeGA also runs a network of over 50 accessibility champions and coordinators, who work as points of contact on accessibility queries within their respective academic areas. 

Staff at The Open University are offered on-demand accessibility training in a variety of topics to support them to carry out their roles. This will be complemented in the future by the introduction of bespoke, mandatory training in accessibility for all staff to complete in order to further embed accessibility good practice. 

The Open University Library provides wide-ranging support to students with disabilities and specific requirements. As well as working with students directly to offer guidance in accessible resources, the Open University Library staff work with publishers to help improve the accessibility of their products.  

The Open University aims to make studying as accessible as possible and a range of adjustments and support are available. A well-established disability support team provides guidance for students and arranges for students to have support when accessing digital content online or alternatively, access to a variety of formats. A wealth of resources for information and guidance in enabling students to study as effectively as possible in the digital environment are available via the help centre.

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Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 28 November 2022. It was last reviewed on 25 January 2024. This app was last tested on 25 November 2022. The test was carried out by the Accessibility and Usability Evaluation team at the Open University.

The sample used for testing consisted of key screens from the Myprogress app. Manual testing was carried out on the sample content, and this included a review using the native screen reader for iOS (VoiceOver) as well as the native screen reader for Android (TalkBack).

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