Padlet Accessibility Statement

Padlet is a real-time digital collaboration tool that has been procured by Falmouth University. The Digital Learning team supports users accessing and interacting with Padlet. This includes teaching & learning guidance on best practice's for using Padlet including the mindful sharing of content.  ​ 

The Digital Learning team wants everyone using our websites and digital resources to have a positive experience. For example, that means you should be able to:   

  • Zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen   
  • Navigate most of the website using just a keyboard   
  • Navigate most of the website using speech recognition software   
  • Listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)   

Accessibility features in different devices

My Computer My Way explains how people can make their computers, tablets and smart phones easier to use and is divided into the following sections: vision, hearing, motor and cognitive (learning differences). A wide range of devices are covered with downloadable factsheets. 

How accessible is Padlet?

Padlet is not fully WCAG 2.1 AA compliant. Padlet outlines the steps they are taking on their website to become fully compliant. 

For more information regarding outstanding accessibility issues within Padlet, please see section “Non–Accessible Content”, within this statement.   

What to do if you can't access information in Padlet?

If you need information from Padlet in a different format, please contact the Digital Learning team using the following contact details:   

E: dlsupport@falmouth.ac.uk   
T: (01326) 259 187   

We’ll process your request and get back to you within 3 working days. 

Reporting accessibility problems with Padlet

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of our systems & services. If you find any accessibility problems with Padlet, not listed on this page, or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact us using our webform. You will get a confirmation within five working days that your form has been received and a full response within 20 working days.  

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

Technical information about Padlet’s accessibility

Falmouth University is committed to making its systems & services accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.   

Padlet is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the elements of non-compliance listed below.   

Non-Accessible content

Images without a description - WCAG 1.1.1  

Some images contain text-based information, or are used to convey meaning, and have not provided a text alternative. 

Contrast Issues – WCAG 1.4.3 

Images with text, and some page content may have a low contrast ratio between text and the background colour. 

Link without appropriate text – WCAG 2.4.4  

Some links are empty and on occasions when users create links, such as a pin on a map, these links may require alternative text. 

Headings – WCAG 2.4.6 

Some of the content on pages and documents does not adhere to a typical heading hierarchy, so the structure and layout of sections may be confusing to those with assisted devices or tools.  

Issues with user-generated content

Both staff and students can create Padlets. The content within these Padlets is created and maintained by their respective owners and content is not validated by the Digital Learning team before publishing. It is therefore possible that a number of accessibility issues could exist within user-generated content, this includes:   

  • Images missing alternative text
  • Videos without captions

The Digital Learning team will continue to advise & train staff regarding improving the accessibility of their content. This is in addition to the accessibility guidance that the university already provides to staff members when using other systems such as the Learning Space.   

Disproportionate burden

For information, we have not classified any of the non-compliant content as a disproportionate burden to fix and we do not have any issues that would class as an exemption under law.   

Content outside the scope of the accessibility regulations as outlined in the “Issues with user-generated content” section of this statement, some content uploaded by staff and students may fall outside of the scope of the accessibility regulations. Examples may include:   

  • Pre-recorded video and audio published before 23rd September 2020
  • Some PDFs or other documents published before 18th September 2018

How we tested Padlet

Padlet was last tested on the 13th September 2021. 

In order to test Padlet, a selection of pages were identified that would best indicate the accessibility of Padlet as a whole. This included: home page, login page, the user dashboard, the “make a Padlet menu” and three Padlet types. These pages were reviewed utilising WAVE, a web accessibility evaluation tool, to highlight any issues found.  

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

The Digital Learning team will continue to improve the accessibility of Padlet by: 

  • Liaising with Padlet to gain access to a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) for the service to better understand compliance
  • Continue to offer guidance to staff & students in creating content that is accessible 

This statement was prepared on 13th September 2021. It was last updated on 13th September 2021.