SCOPE & OWNERSHIP

University of the West of Scotland (the "University", "us", "our" or "we") is committed to making our web presence as accessible as possible to ensure it is compliant with The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 and W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 (WCAG2.2).

The digital platform referred to in this statement is our Virtual Learning Environment - Brightspace (https://learn.uws.ac.uk/) (“VLE”, "Brightspace", “the website”, “our website”, “this website”, “the platform”, our platform”, this platform”, "the site"). UWS run a number of other publicly available websites, platforms and digital solutions but these have their own accessibility statements.

About Brightspace

Brightspace is a third-party platform by D2L.

D2L is a global learning innovation company helping organisations reshape the future of education and work. D2L is committed to leading the sector in the provision of solutions to facilitate personalised learning, and state that they are driven to innovate by the belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality education, regardless of their age, ability, or location.

With headquarters in Ontario, Canada, D2L collaborates with leaders, policymakers and industry innovators to advance learning opportunities through technology solutions. 

Brightspace is a flexible platform for creating and sharing learning content across university module portfolio. It is a template-based platform that allows us to leverage content to enhance the user and learner experience. 

UWS has recently acquired Brightspace as a replacement for its previous VLE and this accessibility statement refers to native aspects of the platform. Brightspace is undergoing a 'soft rollout' at UWS in Spring 2026 before being fully deployed for the start of academic session 2026/27. 

D2L states that Brightspace has been designed and developed as a commercial product in accordance with the internationally recognised Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 as well as the US Section 508 standards, Harmonised European Standard EN 301 549 V3.2.1 (2021-03), Eurpoean Accessibility Act, and ADA Ttile II Rule. 

D2L’s Accessibility Conformance

D2L provide more information on their commitment to reporting on the native Brightspace product's accessibility and on the platform’s compliance through their Accessibility Conformance webpage where their latest product Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) for D2L Brightspace Core is available:

D2L's Accessibility Conformance Statement

Whilst their ACR is reflective of the independent assessment of their platform at a moment in time, D2L have a mature digital accessibility programm. As a member of 1EdTech, D2L uses their TrustedEd AppsTM Accessibility Rubric to highlight and prioritise accessibility and digital inclusion in their processes and to demonstrate an on-going commitment to continuous product improvement.

How accessible the platform is

This accessibility statement refers to the higher-level template and  platform issues which are native to Brightspace.

As you would expect from a VLE, we are continually working on adding, updating and removing learning and teaching content from the platform which will change the digital accessibility status over time. This is mostly related to modular content and users will be notifed about potential, content-based, accessibility issues within each module cpntained in the VLE; each learning module will contain a simplified accessibility statement based upon the specific learning materials and content relating to that specfic module for users/learners.

We are aware that some parts of the platform are not fully accessible, and this may cause some users problems accessing some of the content within the platform (see Technical Information section below for more details). 

At UWS, we are committed to digital accessibility, and we want as many people as possible to be able to use this platform. For example, in native Brightspace, you should be able to:

  • change fonts sizing
  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
  • navigate the website using just a keyboard
  • navigate the website using speech recognition software
  • listen to most of the website using a screen reader

The platform itself is based on templated and reusable components to ensure a more consistent user experience.

We do, however, recognise that there may be a small number of digital accessibility issues that may be experienced in using and accessing content on the platform. 

Where we have identified digital accessibility issues that we cannot alter at a content level level, we also feedback directly to D2L. 

Where appropriate, we may provide some hints and links in the sections below. Suggestions are offered in good faith for user convenience; but please note that any reference to the use of plugins and software are used at your own risk. We are not responsible for any issues arising from the use of tools or plugins over which we have no influence or control. 

The following list highlights some of the main accessibility points across the platform:

We are aware that one control knob on the preview and volume sliders in the video player do not have alternative text equivalents.

We are aware that some ARIA labelling exist for some non-interactive elements in the video player.

Automatic playing videos and carousels can be distracting and even impactful; we ensure none of ours autoplay. Media can be controlled by either mouse or keyboard.

All UWS videos will have captioning added. We have tried to ensure that all new UWS videos have had captions added prior to loading to streaming services in order to make them as accessible as possible.

We are also aware that it is possible to add videos directly to Brightspace's Media Library and where this occur, there is no ability to add an audio description.  WHAT IS THE POLICY AT UWS - VIDEOS ARE LOADED WHERE?

Across the vast majority of the website, default colour contrasts meet accessibility guidelines. However, we have identified instances and elements where this is not the case (see Technical Information section below for more details).

You can change the default background colours using browser plugins like HighContrast or ScreenShader.

We are aware that colour contrast is an issue on the platform in at least two areas relating to uploading videos:

  • When a video is uploaded to the media library, the feedback, 'Finished' does not have adequate color contrast
  • Focus indicator on feedback message upon video upload does not have sufficient color contrast

We are aware that the Floating Menu does not vanish when the user shift tabs from the menu. As such, focus is obscured for users.

Whilst content creators have th eability to add a 'lang' attribute in the WYSIWYG editrs, we are aware that languages in the course dropdown and media library do not have appropriate language attributes.

The number of courses returned to users is updated dynamically in the platform and is updated on the screen. However, we are aware that this number is not read by assistive technology platforms making the status non-compliant.

Making changes to your device

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

Also, UWS’s Disability Service webpage offers up-to-date information and support options for prospective as well as current students and also staff with specific learning difficulties, disabilities, sensory impairments, mental health difficulties and medical conditions.

Feedback & Contact Information

Reporting accessibility problems with this platform

You can contact us if you have digital accessibility feedback, issues, questions, or comments relating to our VLE platform.

If you are reporting an accessibility issue, please let us know exactly (in as much detail as you can) what issues you are experiencing as this will help us help you. You can contact us if you:

  • have positive feedback on the digital accessibility of the platform or observations that we have made
  • are experiencing issues with accessing information or using the platform
  • find a digital accessibility problem not listed in this statement

Please provide the web address (URL) of the page(s) in which you find the problem, a description of the issue and your name. We aim to respond to your enquiry in 20 working days.

CONTACT US BY EMAIL

CONTACT US BY POST

  • Learning Environments, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley Campus, Paisley, PA1 2BE

ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE

We aim to meet the needs of all our website users as best we can.

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 satisfied with our response and would like to make a complaint, please check our complaints procedure. If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about this website's accessibility

University of the West of Scotland is committed to making this website accessible, in accordance with The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

This platform is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 (WCAG2.2) - AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content

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

Text Alternatives

There are interactive lements within the platform's native video player that do not have alternative text associated with them: the control knob on the preview and the volume sliders. 

This fails Success Criteria 1.1.1 Non-Text Content.

We have identified this issue to our supplier and will update this statement in September 2026.

PROGRAMMICALLY IDENTIFIED ELEMENTS

The native platform contains some user interfaface components where interactive elements and states are not programmatically identifiable.

All such elements need a programmatically determined name, role and value. These properties must be accurate and appropriate. This may impact users who interact with the platform using accessibility properties, e.g. users of screen readers and voice recognition technology. The ARIA label applied to the native video player is incorrect. 

This fails success criterion 4.1.2: Name, Role, Value.

We have identified this issue to our supplier and will update this statement in September 2026.

Audio Descriptions (Pre-recorded)

The native platform does not allow users to add audio descriptions to videos uploaded tothe media library.

This fails success criterion 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded).

We have identified this issue to our supplier and will update this statement in September 2026.

COLOUR CONTRAST

There are a few instances across the platform where we have identified elements as having insufficient colour contrast between displayed text and a coloured background. In relation to uploading videos to the native platform, there are two such instances: 

When a video is uploaded to the media library, the feedback 'Finished' does not have adequate color contrast. Similarly, the focus indicator on the feedback message relating to video upload does not have sufficient colour contrast. 

These fail success criterion 1.4.3: Contrast (Minimum). 

We have identified this issue to our supplier and will update this statement in September 2026.

Focus Not Obscured

There is an instance on the platform where a newkly opened content element disrupts the element that had focus. The floating menu does not vanish when the user shift-tabs from the menu and this prevents keyboard users from accessing the menu again.

This fails success criterion 2.4.11: Focus Not Obscured (Minimum). 

We have identified this issue to our supplier and will update this statement in September 2026.

Language of Parts

The human language of each passage or phrase in copy can be programmatically determined. There are instances in th e native platifrm when appropriate language attributes do not exist.

Languages in the courses descriptor and media library dropdown do not possess tjhis attribute, 

This fails success criterion 3.1.2: Language of Parts. 

We have identified this issue to our supplier and will update this statement in September 2026.

Status Messages

Status messages can be presented to users without receeiving focus. We are aware of one instance where a dynamically generated course number count is returned to users on screen that this cannot be read by users of assistive technologies. 

This fails success criterion 4.1.3: Status Messages.

We have identified this issue to our supplier and will update this statement in September 2026.

UWS has recently entered into a new contract with D2L for the Brightspace VLE. Where accessibility issues exist, we are committed to work with our new partner to provide the highest quality, equitable and inclusive learning and teaching environment for our students. 

UWS has been scoping and planning for this transition from the old VLE (Aula) to the new one (Brightspace) for a period of 18 months. The project rollout has employed a dedicated project board, team and learning technologists. In addition, every academic collegaue has been working together with the project team and learning technologists to prepare the platform as well as preparing and converting all learning materials for use in the new platofform.

As such, it would be both financially and resource prohibitive to stop the implementation of the new VLE for the coming academic session. We are claiming that stopping the implementation of the new VLE and starting the project again would represent a disproprtionate burden. 

  • Office file formats* published before 23 September 2018, unless they are active and necessary to tasks that we are performing

  • Videos: Live audio and video streams; UWS-owned/created media recorded prior to 23 September 2020 and third-party media that UWS did not pay for, create, or otherwise control

  • PDFs before 2018 and archive PDFs (documents which are out of date and replaced with newer version but still published for archive purposes.)

* the term "Office file formats" refers to a document in a format that is not intended primarily for use on the web but is included in web pages, e.g. Adobe Portable Document Format, Microsoft Office documents or their open-source equivalents.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 15 May 2026.

We will be using a sector-leading web governance platform to undertake regular automated digital accessibility assessments of the D2L Brightspace platform.

The platform will undergo automatic testing periodically. 

The website is being assessed using a sector-leading, automated website governance platform (Siteimprove) to identify accessibility issues, errors, warnings.

Last Updated

This statement was initially prepared in May 2026. We review this statement at least annually and will next review it before August 2026.

 

WHAT WE’RE DOING TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY

We are committed to ensuring that our library platforms are accessible to all. This requires regular and ongoing website accessibility monitoring and improvement activities. To assist in these activities, we have embraced a sector-leading web governance platform - Siteimprove.

We are also committed to ensuring that digital accessibility is embedded in the procurement as well as digital creation process and this entails a programme of staff training in a variety of areas of digital accessibility from understanding WCAG 2.2, creating and using accessible documents, using HTML tags accurately and others. 

We are also in contact with D2L to identify and share system-level accessibility issues. This is to elicit an understanding of D2L's development roadmap from the with respect to the system-level issues that have been surfaced as a result of our accessibility audits and assessments and which we at UWS are not in a position to rectify locally. 

Last updated: 11/05/2026