Introduction:
At Windsor Forest Colleges Group, we are dedicated to ensuring an inclusive and accessible digital experience for all users of our website. We understand the importance of complying with accessibility standards and strive to meet the requirements outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at the AA level.
The regulations:
Public sector organisations, including educational institutions like ours, are obligated to make reasonable adjustments to ensure equal access to their digital content. These adjustments include meeting the accessibility standards set forth in the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines.
Disproportionate burden:
We regret to inform our users that our website currently does not fully comply with the WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards due to the presence of a third-party chat widget provided by ‘tawk.to’.
Specifically –
WCAG 1.4.10 Reflow – All pages- The chatbox covers content across the webpage. This includes the hamburger menu, therefore it is not accessible at 400% zoom.
Tawk.to chat – Buttons do not have discernible text
Tawk.to chat – <svg> elements with an img role must have an alternative text
However, making immediate changes to the chat widget during our ongoing enrolment period would impose a disproportionate burden on our resources and potentially disrupt the enrolment process for our students.
Scope of assessment:
We have conducted a thorough assessment of our website’s accessibility, focusing on the areas impacted by the ‘tawk.to’ chat widget. Our evaluation includes consultation with internal accessibility experts, our web developers, and consideration of alternative solutions to address the issue.
Changes to responsibility:
We recognise the importance of providing an inclusive digital environment and are committed to resolving the accessibility issues associated with the ‘Tawk.to’ chat widget. Therefore, we are taking steps to identify an alternative chat widget provider that complies with the WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards.
Current status:
As of now, our website does not conform to the full accessibility standards due to the presence of the ‘tawk.to’ chat widget. We understand the impact this may have on users and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Challenges:
The decision to continue using the ‘tawk.to’ chat widget during the current enrolment period is based on the need to maintain operational efficiency and minimise disruptions to the enrolment process. Any immediate changes to the chat widget would require extensive adjustments to our systems, staff training, and potential interruptions to the user experience.
Equality impact assessment:
While we acknowledge the impact on accessibility, we have weighed these concerns against the immediate demands of the enrolment period, and recent merger, and the potential disruption that abrupt changes may cause to business practice.
Options:
During this transitional period, we remain committed to addressing accessibility concerns promptly. We encourage users who encounter any difficulties or have specific accessibility needs to contact us directly, and we will provide assistance and alternative means of accessing the information and services available on our website.
Please contact info@windsor-forest.ac.uk or 01753 793000
Cost/benefit analysis:
We have assessed the costs and benefits associated with changing the chat widget during the enrolment period. Considering the financial implications, resource allocation, and potential disruption to stakeholders, students and staff, we have determined that implementing immediate changes would impose a disproportionate burden at this time.
Decision:
After careful consideration, we have decided to source an alternative chat widget provider that complies with the WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards. This change will take place around December 2023 following the conclusion of our enrolment period. We believe this transition will enable us to provide a more accessible and inclusive digital experience for all users of our website.