Blackboard Learn VLE accessibility statement
The University of York is committed to making its websites accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
This accessibility statement applies to the Blackboard VLE and the content published on the VLE. It does not apply to content from third party domains.
About Blackboard Learn VLE
Blackboard Learn is the VLE or virtual learning environment at the University of York. It is also known as Learn VLE or Learn Ultra. You are likely to use Learn VLE to access resources, submit work, work collaboratively with other students and so on. The software underpinning Learn is supplied by Blackboard (part of Anthology) and since Learn VLE meets internationally-recognised Web Content Accessibility standards, you will be able to do the following with your browser:
change colours, contrast levels and font size
zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen except where content has been created by a user in such a way to not make this possible (for example within a non-responsive table)
navigate the website using just a keyboard
navigate the website using speech recognition software
listen to most of the website using a screen reader
You should be able to do the above on anything that has been typed directly into Learn VLE itself. You can access our guide on how to use the VLE with a screen reader.
About files uploaded to Learn VLE
The majority of files on Learn VLE have been uploaded or curated by University staff. There are thousands of modules and content files and dozens of file types. As such, the accessibility level may vary between them. We know that most older PDF documents aren't fully accessible to screen reader software. However, almost every taught module has been updated to maximise accessibility for as many users as possible. This means that you should be able to do the following in the software that opens the files:
change colours, contrast levels and fonts on documents
zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
navigate the file content using just a keyboard
navigate the file content using speech recognition software
listen to the file content using a screen reader
We are constantly working to improve the accessibility of these resources. As such, some modules are still being updated as part of each department's development plan. Your department may have an accessibility statement on their VLE landing page or in a module site to let you know who you can ask if you are in need of alternative formats.
Reading Lists and accessible versions
Our Reading Lists software provider has its own accessibility statement: ExLibris Leganto Accessibility Statement.
Please note that we are only permitted to make third party content accessible copies of copyrighted content where a specific user presents an accessibility need and requests for an alternative, accessible format of the third party content. This is currently the requirement in the Copyright and Rights in Performances (Disability) Regulations 2014.
Explore how you can make readings in the Reading List more accessible for yourself.
Alternative formats
Learn VLE makes use of the 'Blackboard Ally' accessibility tool, which allows you to download content in a variety of alternative file formats to suit your accessibility requirements.
Please be aware that this is an automated process, and that we cannot guarantee that all features of the original file are converted accurately. Alternative formats should not be viewed as a replacement for the original uploaded format, which remains the definitive and authoritative version.
Click the icon next to your course files to view “Alternative Formats” of your course files. The file may take a few minutes to download, so continue with your work while you wait. The quality of the alternative formats can vary based on the original file, so if something looks out of place, consult the original file. Depending on the type of file, you will see the following options:
An OCR PDF improves the quality of scanned PDFs
A Tagged PDF for Word and PowerPoint documents or for improved navigation with screen readers
An HTML version that will be a simple and responsive to mobile devices with zoom-in capabilities
An ePub version for use with ePub readers that allows for font customization, contrast adjustment, and annotation/highlighting
An Electronic Braille version for your Refreshable Braille Display
An Audio MP3 for listening to your content on the go.
Immersive Reader to make reading on screen easier.
Learn how to use alternative formats to your advantage.
View the Blackboard Ally Student Guide for more information.
Give us anonymous feedback on Blackboard Ally - tell us what formats you are using and how they help you.
Want to make alternative formats of your own files? Visit https://ally.ac/covid19/.
You can also use the self-service facility, Sensus Access, which is provided by the Library to allow you to create alternative formats. If you need specific academic support and adjustments, do seek advice from our disabilities advisers.
Closed Captions (Subtitles) for Video
All videos uploaded into Panopto (the University's platform for video streaming) include subtitles (closed captions). For videos authored by members of Academic Staff, captions are scrutinised for improved accuracy as per The University's Policy on Video Captions (2024). For automatic mass produced lecture recordings generated under The University's Policy for the Recording of Lectures (2018), all videos contain closed captions generated by automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology. Through Department-level Accessibility Statements, students have access to a reporting procedure to flag issues with content or automated captions.
How to make contact to report accessibility issues
If you have problems using Learn VLE or the files on the VLE:
Speak to your module instructors in the first instance.
Your department may have an accessibility contact you can get in touch with, or a contact form you can fill in on their VLE landing page or in a module site. You can also ask your departmental administrative team for their contact details.
Consider speaking to your student reps to highlight issues to your department.
You can further escalate any issues to vle-support@york.ac.uk and we will get back to you in 3 working days.
You can raise a complaint using the University's complaints procedure.
Enforcement of accessibility regulations
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the accessibility regulations. If you are not happy with how the University has responded to your notification or request, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).
What we're doing to improve accessibility
We have added a tool to Learn VLE called Blackboard ALLY that enables students to download alternative formats from the VLE. Outside of the VLE, Ally have provided the following site so you can create alternative formats: http://ally.ac/covid19
The Library is enhancing the digitisation workflow to create more accessible materials for reading lists.
We recognise that automatic captions may not always be entirely accurate. The automated process may struggle to interpret subject specific terminology, negotiate heavy speaker accent or localised turn of phrase, or extract speech from recordings where the signal-to-noise ratio in the audio has been compromised. The University has a captioning pool that module leaders can use to enhance the accuracy of their recorded materials.
All staff complete a tutorial on Digital Accessibility and can attend a workshop on Creating Accessible Documents.
Interns have helped to improve document accessibility each summer and we have created a supporting website for creating accessible equations.
Third party accessibility links
Blackboard Learn is the VLE core application with a select set of supported integrated tools from several 3rd party vendors which are used to provide additional functionality.
Links to supported vendor Accessibility Statements:
This statement was last updated on 03 Mar 2026.
Version 4.