This accessibility statement applies to Blackboard Learn Ultra. Blackboard Learn Ultra is a centrally supported virtual Learning Environment that is a commercial product designed and developed by Blackboard Inc. in accordance with internationally recognised Web Content Accessibility guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA as well as US section 508 standards. The site is run by Blackboard Inc. on behalf of Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU). It is currently only used by the Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS). We want as many people as possible to use this site so within the ‘native’ Blackboard interface* you should be able to:
- Change colours, contrast levels and fonts
- Zoom in up to 200% without text spilling off the screen
- Navigate most of the site using just a keyboard
- Navigate most of the site using speech recognition software
- Listen to most of the site using a screen reader (such as the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)
*Please note that content uploaded to Blackboard Ultra is created by a variety of users and technologies, and as such cannot be guaranteed to meet all of these requirements.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
How accessible is Blackboard Learn Ultra?
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible.
- You cannot modify the line height or spacing of text
- Most older PDF documents are not fully accessible
Feedback and contact information
If you need content on Blackboard Learn Ultra provided in an alternative format, that is not already available, please contact KMMS Digital Education team by e-mail digitaleducation@kmms.ac.uk
The University of Kent’s Disability Team is available to offer support with issues related to accessibility. Information on their service can be found on the Disability Support web page.
For any other accessibility issues you may have with Blackboard Ultra, please contact the KMMS Digital Education team by e-mailing digitaleducation@kmms.ac.uk. We will consider your request and get back to you within 10 working days.
Reporting accessibility problems with Blackboard Ultra
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of Blackboard. If you find any problems that aren’t listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact the KMMS Digital Education team by e-mail digitaleducation@kmms.ac.uk and we will get back to you within 10 working days.
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’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).
Contact us by phone or visiting us in person
The KMMS Digital Education team who support and maintain KMMS Learn (hosted on Blackboard Learn Ultra) is based in the Pears Building, University of Kent. You can contact us by email at digitaleducation@kmms.ac.uk.
Technical information about Blackboard Ultra's accessibility
Canterbury Christ Church University is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Blackboard Ultra is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons:
Non-compliance with accessibility regulations
The Blackboard platform is a proprietary Virtual Learning Environment. Blackboard have an accessibility commitment and have provided a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) report for the platform. Further information on accessibility options for the platform can be found on the blackboard help pages.
We have highlighted below some known accessibility issues within Blackboard Learn Ultra and content within the platform.
Platform issues (identified by VPAT)
WCAG 1.1.1 Images without description or with redundant text alternative
Some images have an inadequate text alternative and some decorative images have redundant text alternatives.
WCAG 1.3.1 Headings, data table and lists within incorrect semantics
Some headings have not been identified, some data tables are not structured correctly and some lists do not use HTML list markup.
WCAG 1.3.2 Data tables with incorrect reading sequence
Some data tables are not marked up as tables, making it impossible to programmatically determine the structure and column and row headers.
WCAG 2.2.2 Missing Keyboard functionality
Most functionality is operable using the keyboard-alone in the Blackboard Ultra LMS web application with some exceptions, including:
- Some buttons and links are not reachable or operable using the keyboard.
- Time pickers are not reachable or operable using the keyboard.
- Some tooltips are not exposed using the keyboard-alone.
WCAG 2.4.1 Missing skip link
The skip link on the “Grade assignment” screen does not work.
WCAG 2.4.4 Inadequate link purpose descriptions
Some link phrases do not adequately describe the target.
WCAG 1.4.3 and WCAG 1.4.11 – Contrast Issues
There are some instances of text that has insufficient contrast between the foreground and background colors. There are some instances of non-text that has insufficient contrast between the foreground and background colors, or adjacent colors.
Content issues
Content in Blackboard Ultra is uploaded by a wide range of users. It is not possible to confirm that all content is fully accessible. We are undertaking a programme of staff development to ensure staff make their materials compliant. Users are able to make use of Ally which enables content to be provided in a different formats. The following issues have been identified with content uploaded to Blackboard.
Contrast
Some uploaded documents may contain text with low contrast between text and background which will make the documents inaccessible for those with visual impairments.
Images
Some uploaded images may not have a description or alternative text which means they are inaccessible for users with screen readers.
Heading Structures/Styles
Some documents do not contain any marked-up headings which provide structure to documents.
Tables
Some documents contain tables that do not make use of header structure which means they are inaccessible for screen reader users
Untagged PDFs
Some PDF documents are not tagged which makes the document difficult to navigate for screen readers.
Captions in videos
Some uploaded videos may not contain subtitles which means they are inaccessible to audio impaired users. Staff are encouraged to upload all pre-recorded content into either ReCap (Yuja) or KentPlayer (Panopto) to ensure that automatic captions are available.
Content that is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
The accessibility regulations don’t require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23rd September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services e.g. content on Blackboards pre 23rd September 2018.
We don’t plan to add captions to live video streams because live video is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations.
What we are doing to improve accessibility
The University continues to work closely with Blackboard to monitor accessibility and make improvements as required.
Content publishers are being required to undertake training to show them how to create accessible content. This should address issues with future in-accessible content being created, and help them to understand what changes need to be made to existing content to make it more accessible.
Content authors are also encouraged to use the Microsoft Accessibility Checker when creating content using Office tools. In addition, much, but not all, of the uploaded content undergoes an accessibility check by members of the KMMS Digital Education Team. Issues are flagged to content creators for amendment when required.
Blackboard Ally is installed and activated on Blackboard Learn Ultra and content creators receive training on how to use it to improve accessibility. Furthermore, users are encouraged to take advantage of the alternative format download options.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
We asked Blackboard to provide information on how they test their product for accessibility compliance. The Blackboard Ultra VPAT is based on the accessibility audit conducted by The Paciello Group, May 2020. As a result of this response CCCU has not undertaken any extensive testing of the site ourselves. However, we are exploring resources to allow us to do this in the future.
This document will be updated as plans for addressing accessibility issues in Blackboard Learn Ultra are implemented.
This statement was prepared on 14th January 2022.
It was last updated on 14th January 2022.