Accessing learning
Find out about the range of accessibility features included within our learning
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For us, accessibility isn't just a goal—it's our commitment. We believe in making learning an inclusive experience for everyone, and we've tailored our approach to meet the highest standards.
We've designed our learning content so that everyone, regardless of their abilities or preferences, can easily access and benefit from it. All our content has been designed and tested by people with lived experiences of accessibility barriers and with professional backgrounds in designing for accessibility needs and inclusion.
How our learning is accessible
Screen reader compatibility: Our content is designed to work smoothly with screen readers, allowing visually impaired volunteers to navigate the learning easily.
Mouse-free navigation: We understand not everyone can use a mouse, so we've crafted our learning content to be fully accessible for those who rely on keyboard navigation or other input devices.
Clear and simple language: Learning is most effective when the language is clear and straightforward. We've focused on making our content easy to understand, catering to a broad audience with varying language skills.
Fully responsive design: Learning shouldn't be limited to a specific device. That's why our content is fully responsive, and works on phones, tablets, and computers. Whether you're on the go or settling in for a study session, our learning tool is ready to use.
Video accessibility: Every video comes with subtitles, so the content is accessible to those who may benefit from, or prefer, written text. Full transcripts for videos are also available. Finally, we offer learners customisable video controls. Pause, rewind, or alter the playback speed, so everyone can learn at their own pace.
User-centric testing
To truly break down barriers with our learning tool, we’ve collaborated with a diverse range of individuals with varying accessibility needs. From the initial design stages to the final tweaks, we've embraced the principle of ‘nothing about us, without us’, which shows the importance of having people with accessibility needs at the front and centre of our design choices.
Your feedback matters, and we've used it to adapt our content for a more inclusive learning experience. We’re still welcoming feedback and hope you’ll always feel able to send us yours. Right now, you can sign up to the Volunteer Experience Group and be invited to early access testing of the new content.
Support from Volunteering Development Teams
We understand everyone's volunteering journey is unique, and sometimes people may need additional support. Our dedicated Volunteering Development Teams are on hand to assist you. This might be offering guidance on digital skills or providing offline resources. No ask is too much, we're committed to working with you to make sure your learning experience is tailored to your needs.
Following web accessibility standards
Our learning follows the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards. This just means we've taken deliberate steps to make our content accessible to a diverse audience:
Perceivable is about making sure everyone can access and use the content on a website or an app, in a way that suits them. It's the reason you see subtitles in videos, have options for text descriptions of images, and why the design is flexible enough for various devices. It's all about inclusivity, so everyone can understand the information in their own way.
Operable is the behind-the-scenes magic that makes an app or website user-friendly. It's about using your keyboard to navigate smoothly and having enough time to read and interact without feeling rushed. It's crafting an experience that's accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of how they interact with technology.
This is all about using clear language. Understandable means the information on the website or app is presented in a way so it’s easy to grasp. From clear instructions and readable text to consistent navigation and helpful hints when filling out forms, this stops users from getting lost in a maze of confusion.
Let's talk tech. Robust is about making sure the digital content stands strong in the face of diverse technologies. It involves using solid code, being compatible with various devices and assistive technologies, and having contingency plans for future tech trends. It means we’ve future-proofed the digital experience, so it remains reliable and accessible over time.
Following these standards helps us make our learning welcoming, functional, and ready for whatever tech challenges it might face. It's all about creating a tech-savvy space where everyone, regardless of how they interact with technology, can enjoy learning digitally.