Accessibility statement for ICM Moodle VLE

This statement applies to ICM's virtual learning environment. 

This website is run by ICM. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

• access all or almost all of the site using the device, operating system and browser of your choice

• read text with default text sizes and contrast ratios that are accessible for most people, and easily change colours, contrast levels and fonts to meet your needs. We do this through a choice of simple and advanced accessibility tools. 

• zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen

• navigate most of the site using just a keyboard, by tabbing in a logical order

• complete forms and other interactive objects such as quizzes using a keyboard only

• navigate most of the website using speech recognition software

• listen to most of the website using text-to-speech, including the built-in AT Bar

• read most of the site in your first language, within the limits of currently available translation technology

• orientate yourself anywhere on the site using the breadcrumb menu

• access key resources, and any resources on request, in a choice of accessible format

We’ve also made the site text as simple as possible to understand and the site structure as simple as possible to navigate.

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

How accessible this website is

We know some aspects of this website are not fully accessible:

• because our site-users have an expectation to be able to download tutor-prepared documents and presentations, some information is in these formats rather than html

• although we will provide guidance to tutors on making documents and presentations accessible on request, the site content is generated by multiple tutors who are not in our employ, and is constantly changing. We cannot guarantee that at any point in time all documents and presentations are fully accessible. However we encourage tutors and learners to make resources accessible

• video capture within labels does not have captions, however we can provide information on how to generate captions on request

Feedback and reporting accessibility problems

If you need information provided by ICM on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please complete the ‘report an accessibility issue’ form on the front page. We’re always looking to improve our accessibility, so please also use this form to tell us of suggestions for improving accessibility of the site. 

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 needs, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

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

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the disproportionate burdens and exemptions from the regulations listed below.

Disproportionate burdens & exemptions

• Some of our interactive elements are provided through the H5P plug-in. Some of these are known to be not yet fully accessible, however the makers, Joubel, have stated a commitment to make them fully accessible in the near future. In that context we believe that it would be a disproportionate burden to attempt to correct these issues ourselves. 

• Static files in the form of learner handouts, presentations and assignment briefs are essential to our business and we have no plans to remove them in the near future. Because our static files are constantly changing, we are believe that it would be a disproportionate burden to constantly monitor their accessibility. Many of these were published before 23^rd September 2018 and are thus exempt from the regulations. We undertake to ensure that ICM staff are trained in how to produce accessible documents and presentations. We will provide assistance to non-ICM tutors on request, but ICM cannot be held responsible for inaccessible content provided by tutors employed by our partner schools and colleges.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

ICM is committed to continuous improvement of the accessibility of its resources. We therefore undertake to do the following:

• Monitor improvements to the accessibility of our H5P interactives

• Monitor sector norms as regards provision of static document and presentation files

• Raise the profile of training for tutors on making pages and files accessible

• Undertake a formal site accessibility audit by December 2023

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 17^th August 2022.

Accessibility FAQs for this site

We have tried to make this site easy for first time users but if you are stuck, this section is designed to help you.

1. How do I get around this site?

If you want to go to different area of the site, click with your mouse button when your cursor is over a link. Clicking on underlined text takes you to a new page. Whenever your cursor looks like a hand rather than an arrow, it means you can click and go to another page. To get back to the home page at any time click on the ICM logo (top left) or use the breadcrumb links. A navigation pane is also provided. Don’t worry if you go to the wrong page, just click on Back on the buttons bar of your browser. When you want to navigate around a page you can click on sections, use the scroll bar or your mouse wheel or tab through sections. Tabs have been set up to allow easy navigation.

2. How do I get back to this site if I leave it?

The address of our sites are https://studentportal.icm.education. If you want to come back to this site at any time, type in the address in the browser address bar and press enter. To save you doing this more than once, add this page to your Bookmarks or Favourites.

3. What are PDFs and how do I read them?

PDF stands for Portable Document File. It’s an established way of publishing documents on the web while retaining their original printed design look. You need a plug-in called Adobe Acrobat to read these files. This is available to download free of charge at www.adobe.co.uk/support/new.html. PDFs have good accessibility as they can be read aloud or easily converted to other formats to suit your accessibility needs. 

4. How can I view a Word or PowerPoint file if I don’t have Microsoft Word software?

You have two main options.

1. Microsoft has made free Word and PowerPoint Viewers available to download at http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/

2. The Document Foundation publish an excellent free Office package (LibreOffice). You can download this here: www.libreoffice.org/download/download/

5. My browser is out of date – how can I update it?

Some features of this site may work better in newer browsers so you are advised to keep your browser updated. Generally Moodle works best in Chrome or Firefox. x www.google.co.uk/chrome  www.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/new/

Please avoid Internet Explorer. This has been deprecated for some time and will not operate any modern interactive website correctly.