View the site your way
There are a number of customisation options for your browser and device that could help you use StaffConnect and other websites more effectively.
AbilityNet provide advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
Explore some of our recommendations for tools that can make your online experience better.
Feedback and contact information
Please contact us if you have an accessibility query including:
- If you are experiencing issues with accessing information or using StaffConnect
- If you find an accessibility problem not listed on this statement
- If you have positive feedback on the accessibility considerations made.
When you contact us there is a process in place that will acknowledge your contact, tell you who is dealing with it and give you a timescale by which you can expect a reply.
Alternative formats
We’ve designed our content to be as accessible as possible. If you still experience barriers, you can request alternative formats. For more information please contact us.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements contact us to register your difficulty. This helps us improve our systems.
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 Kent is committed to making its website and associated subdomains accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Compliance Status
StaffConnect is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.
Non-accessible content
We formally test the accessibility of key user journeys that represent the breadth of content across our website on a regular basis against WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
Some parts of the website may not work for everyone. Below are known issues that we either need to fix, cannot fix, or do not need to fix right now.
If you find an issue that we have missed please contact us.
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
This section covers issues that we need to fix and are working to do so.
Content issues
StaffConnect includes a facility to store documents relating to staff members. These are files created at the University. The accessibility of these documents can vary depending on the format and content of the documents. We will create accessible files, however If you still experience barriers, you can request alternative formats. For more information please contact us.
Platform issues
StaffConnect is a third-party system developed by Zellis which means that some aspects of its accessibility are outside of our immediate control. The Zellis accessibility page outlines the accessibility features of Zellis.
Links opening in new browser windows
Some links open as a new web page in a new browser window or tab. This takes focus away from the current web page (WCAG: 2.4.3, 3.2.5).
Frames missing titles
Some iframes used do not have an appropriate title attribute to identify the element (WCAG: 4.1.2).
Headings are not sequential
Some pages may not contain consistent marked-up headings (WCAG: 1.3.1).
Text styled to look like a heading but lacking appropriate HTML tag
Some of the text on the page has been styled to appear visually like a heading. This means emphasis is only visual and the heading is not defined with an appropriate HTML tag (WCAG: 2.4.6 and 1.3.1).
Mislabelled elements or missing labels
Some of the user interface elements, such as buttons and headings, do not have appropriate labels that define their roles. This includes labels which do not match the purpose and elements which do not have a label (WCAG: 4.1.2).
Links without meaningful purpose
Some of the links are not labelled clearly. This means that the links do not make sense when they are taken out of context, and for some links it is not possible to know what the purpose of the link is.
There are a number of links to the same resource, such as the search fields which are repeated across the page, which can cause confusion (WCAG: 2.4.4).
Contrast Issues
Some pages contain elements with low contrast between the elements and its background particularly when under focus. This can cause the text to be difficult to read, especially for those with low vision, poor eyesight, or colour blindness (WCAG: 1.4.3).
StaffConnect is developed by a third-party, Zellis, with customisation applied locally by the university. Thus, some of the issues with the colour contrast may be fixed by Kent however, some issues may be part of the Zellis platform that we cannot control (WCAG: 1.4.3).
Page structure missing landmarks
Some of the pages have elements which are not contained in appropriate landmarks such as ARIA labels and HTML 5 tags (WCAG: 1.3.1).
IDs are not unique
Some IDs are duplicated across the elements on the same page (WCAG: 4.1.1).
Images without a description
Some images on our website don't have appropriate alternative text (WCAG:1.1.1).
Incorrectly tagged decorative images
Images which are purely decorative are not identified as such. (WCAG 1.1.1).
General usability issues
On the landing page, the prominent login field does not work. Users need to login via the university’s single sign on tool which requires navigating to a different webpage.
Keyboard tabbing order
The keyboard tabbing order does not match the visual layout of the page (WCAG: 2.4.3).
Downloading documents
Documents that have been uploaded are available in the 'My Employment Documents' section. This does not work correctly with keyboard navigation. If you experience any difficulty in accessing the documents in StaffConnect please contact us for assistance (WCAG: 2.1.1).
Buttons cannot be accessed by keyboard
Some of the elements cannot be accessed by a keyboard and require users to use a mouse (WCAG: 2.1.1).
Disproportionate burden
This section covers issues that we cannot fix right now. We’ve assessed the cost of fixing these issues but believe that doing so would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the law.
Not applicable.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
This section covers issues that we do not need to fix right now. The law calls these exemptions.
Third-party content
StaffConnect is a third party system developed by Zellis. Zellis is a third-party platform which means that some aspects of its accessibility are outside of our immediate control.
To help accessibility compliance across the sector, the University of Kent supports searchBOX, a centralised, independent directory of third-party accessibility information.
searchBOX catalogues the contact information and accessibility statements of third-party suppliers, enables the sharing of community-generated accessibility statements, and allows users to map their supplier ecosystem.
Users can access third-party accessibility statements using the free searchBOX Finder service.
The University of Kent encourages all our partners and suppliers to support this effort by ensuring that their accessibility information is included in the searchBOX directory.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 28 April 2020. It was last reviewed on 12 April 2022.
This website was last tested on 27 April 2020. The test was carried out by University of Kent.