Accessibility
Discover the University of Waikato's commitment to accessible, inclusive web experiences. Read our Website Accessibility Statement to learn how we support all users.
University of Waikato Website Accessibility Statement
At the University of Waikato, we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive online experience for all users, regardless of their abilities, preferred languages, or the technology they use.
We are on a journey to comply with the New Zealand Government Web Standards, which aligns with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. This will ensure our digital content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for a diverse range of users, including those with disabilities.
Our commitments
Adhering to standards
- We are working towards all web pages meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance.
- Our design and content creation processes prioritise accessibility, inclusion, and usability.
Accessible content
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Documents: PDF and downloadable content are created with accessibility features, such as screen-reader compatibility, structured headings, and alt text for embedded visuals.
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Images: Descriptive alt text is provided for all meaningful images, and decorative images are tagged appropriately to reduce screen reader noise.
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Videos: Videos on our website include captions and, where appropriate, transcripts and audio descriptions.
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Social Media: Our social media posts follow best practices for accessibility, such as providing alt text for images and ensuring captions for videos.
Keyboard Navigation
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Our aim is for our website to be fully navigable using a keyboard.
Screen Reader Support
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Jump (Skip) links and structured headings are implemented across our site to support efficient navigation with screen readers.
International Audiences
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We recommend using Google translate if you require to read our website in languages other than English. Google Translate isn’t perfect but does have a good reputation for accuracy. It can make mistakes though, please use it with caution.
Continuous Improvement
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Accessibility is a key consideration in all web projects and functionality development.
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We use accessibility auditing tools to regularly review and update our site to address feedback and ensure compliance with current standards.
Need Help?
If you encounter an accessibility issue on our website or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us at:
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Email: webteam@waikato.ac.nz
This statement will be updated regularly as we continue to improve the accessibility of our website and other digital content.