Accessibility Statement: Blackboard Ultra

Accessibility Statement: Blackboard Ultra

This accessibility statement applies to Blackboard (https://unilearn.southwales.ac.uk/ultra/institution-page), the centrally supported Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for the University of South Wales.

Blackboard Ultra Accessibility

Blackboard is a third party which is now being designed and developed in accordance with the internationally recognised Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA. 

Blackboard provides information about the company’s approach to accessibility on this web page: Blackboard Learn Accessibility Overview.

How accessible is the Blackboard platform?

When using Blackboard Learn you should be able to:

  • In most part, resize text up to 200%. However, the main content area on some panels is very small when the browser is zoomed to 200%, making it difficult to read and use. Navigate the website using a screen reader.
  • Navigate most of the website using just a keyboard.

Blackboard is partially compliant with WCAG 2.2 and Section 508. We know some parts of the website are not fully accessible:

  • Dark mode is not yet available but is on Blackboard’s roadmap.
  • Some controls are not fully operable with the keyboard.
  • Some visual headings are not marked up as headings.
  • Some data table markup is incorrect
  • Some actions (like reordering content for instructors) require dragging motions or have controls that do not meet target size requirements (WCAG 2.5.7, 2.5.8)
  • Some tooltips, modals, and controls are not fully accessible by keyboard (2.1.1)
  • For screen reader users, issues with semantic structure, missing headers, and inconsistent ARIA labelling cause confusion.
  • Some problems with resizing text (1.4.4), reflow on small viewports, and low-contrast (1.4.3) focus indicators reduce usability. No Dark mode available.

For details of how well Blackboard Learn conforms with WCAG standards, please consult the Blackboard Accessibility Conformance report (ACR) (dated August 2024).

How accessible is the content available on Blackboard?

As of June 2024, we are currently using the Ultra Course View. However legacy modules and courses remain in Original Course View, where there may be accessibility issues regarding visual design and colour contrast in modules which have been personalised by module delivery staff.

Learning content within Blackboard modules and courses is created and uploaded by a wide variety of academic and administrative support staff, therefore accessibility of this content may vary accordingly.

We are aware that:

  • Older PDFs (scanned PDFs) may not be accessible to screen reader software.
  • Word documents and other files may not be fully accessible; missing headings, or containing images without a description (ALT Text).
  • Videos may lack captions or transcripts.

To support users, Blackboard Ally plug-in offers alternative format downloads for students to support with any learning material that is not fully accessible. This has its own accessibility statement: Accessibility in Ally

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

Third party tools

Certain third-party tools, content and/or functionality are integrated into our Blackboard VLE, and these have their own accessibility statements.

Where we choose to feature third party content or functionality on the Blackboard Learn VLE, we are responsible for ensuring it meets accessibility standards.

Where we are legally required to feature third party content or functionality, we cannot reasonably accept responsibility for ensuring it meets accessibility standards.

These tools include the following:

Turnitin

Turnitin accessibility information. This includes VPAT documents for:

  • Feedback Studio LTI Student Assignment Management Interface.
  • Feedback Studio Student Feedback and Online Grading Interface.
  • Turnitin Similarity Report Interface Feedback Studio Text Only Similarity Report Draft Coach.
  • While Turnitin Feedback Studio is not currently completely WCAG 2.0 AA compliant you can use the text-only report for a better experience with an assistive technology and Turnitin. See the Turnitin  guide - Accessing the text-only Similarity Report.

LearnSci

LearnSci materials are used on some Science-based courses. LearnSci Accessibility statement.

Padlet

Some modules will include Padlet as a collaborative discussion/activity resource. See the Padlet Accessibility statement.

If you need information on this website in a different format, you should be able to obtain this using Blackboard Ally. This can provide content in a range of formats, including:

  • Tagged PDF
  • HTML
  • ePub
  • electronic Braille
  • MP3 audio file
  • Beeline Reader (for easier and faster on-screen reading)
  • Microsoft Immersive Reader

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

If you have any problems accessing Blackboard, or tools such as Turnitin which are integrated into Blackboard, please contact IT services: Service Desk : USW Support / Cymorth PDC.

Please contact us if you have an accessibility query, including:  

  • If you are experiencing issues with accessing information or using the website.  
  • If you find an accessibility problem not listed on this statement.  
  • If you have positive feedback on the accessibility considerations made. 

When contacting us, please provide:      

  • The web address of the page where you found the problem.     
  • A description of the problem (and whether this was mobile or desktop).   
  • The name and, if possible, version of the web browser being used. 
  • Details of any assistive technology being used (for example, a screen reader). 

The contacts are:

Email [email protected]

Contact Us - https://www.southwales.ac.uk/contact-us/

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).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

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

European Accessibility Act (EAA)

While this website is designed to meet the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018, which require compliance with WCAG 2.2 Level AA, we are actively reviewing and updating our content and services in line with the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which came into effect on 28 June 2025.

Compliance status

The Blackboard VLE is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed under the heading "non-compliance with the accessibility regulations".

Based on the Blackboard Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR)  (dated August 2024).

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

We are continually monitoring our VLE for accessibility.

USW strives to raise awareness of the importance of accessibility, and helps staff improve their understanding of digital accessibility and accessible design of teaching and learning materials – this includes the promotion of Blackboard Ally Accessibility checker:

Testing Processes

The Blackboard Learn website platform was tested by Blackboard Inc. and results are available in the Blackboard Accessibility Conformance Report (29 August 2024).

Accessibility testing is also carried out internally on a sample of pages using automated tools, as well as manual testing.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 24th November 2025.

Digital Accessibility

If you have any questions or feedback regarding the accessibility of this website or our publications, or if you experience any difficulty, please contact us.

[email protected]