Website accessibility

This accessibility statement pertains to the website of the University of Eastern Finland available at https://www.uef.fi. It was updated on 23 August 2023. 

The accessibility of the website has been assessed by a third party. In addition, we at the University of Eastern Finland have also reviewed the website. Regional State Administrative Agency of Southern Finland has also reviewed the website's accessibility during the summer of 2023.

The uef.fi website was published in 2009. The previous major redesign of the website took place in 2015, and in 2021 it was moved onto a new publishing platform and the contents were reorganised. The accessibility requirements have guided the layout design of and the content production for our new website.

All UEF websites, mobile applications and related content must be accessible. Accessibility in a digital environment means that as many people as possible are able to use the digital services provided despite user, situation or technology specific differences. The accessibility requirements are based on the Act on the Provision of Digital Services and on the EU’s Web Accessibility Directive. 

Accessibility status of digital services

Partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 AA standard. 

Non-compliant content

Due to the large number of content creators, and the time required to instruct and train them, some content on our website may contain accessibility issues. However, we are constantly working to ensure that all content is accessible.

Some of the files linked to our website (e.g., doc, pdf) do not yet comply with accessibility requirements. These will be fixed and made accessible as the website and the documents are updated.

Furthermore, the campus maps linked to our website are not fully accessible, and their accessibility is currently being improved.

The inline frame of a Chatbot found on one of the pages does not have alternative text. (WCAG 1.1.1. Non-textual Content) The problem will be fixed as soon as possible.

Colour contrast of some buttons found on the site does not meet the minimum contrast requirement. (WCAG 1.4.3. Contrast (minimum)) 

The visible name of some links or labels on the site does not match the accessible name. Some of the links have been implemented so that they are not always read correctly by screen readers and can cause problems with voice control. (WCAG 3.3.2 Labels or instructions) 

Two or more elements on the Open University studies page have the same ID value. (WCAG 4.1.2 Name, role, value) The problem will be fixed after the content providers fix the problem in Studyinfo. 

Not covered by legislation

• Office suite files (e.g., doc, pdf, odt) published before 23 September 2018.
• Website content on the old uef.fi server archived before 23 September 2019. This includes, e.g., research project websites that must be maintained due to the terms of the funder.
• Video and audio recordings published before 23 September 2020.
• Live video streams and audio broadcasts not recorded for storing or republishing.

We are committed to enhancing the accessibility of our digital services and are continuously working to improve it. Among our recent improvements are, e.g., transcripts of podcasts embedded on our website.

For users to whom our digital services remain inaccessible, we offer special support. In such cases, please contact us at viestinta@uef.fi.

This accessibility statement pertains to the University of Eastern Finland’s websites available on WordPress servers at https://sites.uef.fi, https://blogs.uef.fi and https://blogs2.uef.fi. It was updated on 28 June 2023.

We have self-assessed the accessibility of the websites in different ways. The WordPress service was introduced at the University of Eastern Finland in 2014. In 2019, the themes used on the websites were upgraded to an accessible one. In June 2023, themes and add-ons that even better meet the requirements of the Act on the Provision of Digital Services were introduced. 

All UEF websites, mobile applications and related content must be accessible. Accessibility in a digital environment means that as many people as possible are able to use the digital services provided despite user, situation or technology specific differences. The accessibility requirements are based on the Act on the Provision of Digital Services and on the EU’s Web Accessibility Directive. 

Accessibility status of digital services 

For the time being, WordPress themes for 2019 and 2023 are both in use. The theme for 2019 is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 AA standard and the theme for 2023 is partially compliant with the A and AA standard accessibility requirements.

Non-compliant content 

Non-compliant content of the theme for 2023:

• There are two H1 level headers on the front page of the sites. 
• Page titles are missing on all pages. (WCAG 2.4.2 Page Titles)
• Some menu buttons lack alternative descriptions. (WCAG 4.1.2 Name, role, value)
• ID tags are not unique. (WCAG 4.1.1 Parsing)
• Social media buttons are inadequately marked in the menu and footer. (WCAG 1.3.1 Information and Relationships)

These deficiencies will be fixed as soon as possible.

Some of the files linked to our website (e.g., doc, pdf) in the themes for 2019 and 2023 do not yet comply with the accessibility requirements. These will be fixed and made accessible as the files and website are updated. 

Not covered by legislation 

• Office suite files (e.g., doc, pdf, odt) published before 23 September 2018.    
• Video and audio recordings published before 23 September 2020. 
• Live video streams and audio broadcasts not recorded for storing or republishing. 

We are committed to enhancing the accessibility of our digital services and are continuously working to improve it.  

For users to whom our digital services remain inaccessible, we offer special support. In such cases, please contact us at viestinta@uef.fi.