Digital Accessibility

Accessibility means that everyone is able to experience digital content. While some websites are designed with this in mind, there are many accessibility tools which address specific needs, some of which are detailed below.

Accessibility at the University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield has information on how their webpages comply with accessibility guidelines as well as a selection of resources beyond the ones mentioned here.

The Accessibility page will help guide you though how the University of Sheffield employs accessibility on its online platforms.

Blackboard Ally

Ally creates alternative files that are easier to use by all students. Alternative files include readable text for screen readers, pictures with captions, and easy-to-navigate content. Ally creates multiple alternatives from the original documents in your course. You can download these alternative formats anywhere that files are used. Blackboard Ally is integrated into Blackboard courses across the university. More information and guidance is available via this link to Ally's webpage.

Apple VoiceOver and Windows

Apple's VoiceOver functionality is a screen reader that's built-in to all Apple devices and allows you to hear what’s happening on your screen. More information and guidance is via this link to Apple's Accessibility webpages.

read&write (available to UoS students running on a IT Services Managed Desktop)

Read&Write is our literacy support tool that offers help for everyday tasks. With tools to meet the needs of different learners, right across the curriculum. Like reading text out loud, understanding unfamiliar words and proofing written work. You can find more information on the Library website and on read&write's website.

BeeLine Reader - browser extension available for all major web browsers

BeeLine Reader makes reading on-screen easier, faster, and more enjoyable. It uses a simple eye-guiding colour gradient — to pull your eyes through long blocks of text. This helps you read more effectively and maintain your focus better.

High Contrast for Chrome

Change or invert the colour scheme to make webpages easier to read.

High Contrast lets you browse the web with your choice of several high-contrast colour filters designed to make it easier to read text.

This tool can be accessed on the Chrome Webstore.

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