Accessibility Statement

Last Updated: 1 November 2025

1. Our Commitment to Accessibility

The Virtuoso Academy is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all people, including those with disabilities. We continually work to improve the user experience and apply relevant accessibility standards to ensure equal access for all users.

2. Conformance Status

2.1 Current Conformance Level

Partially Conformant: Some parts of the content do not fully conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. We are actively working toward full conformance.

2.2 Compliance Scope

This accessibility statement applies to:

  • Main website: www.thevirtuoso.academy
  • Learning platform and course content
  • Student community forums
  • Account management interfaces

3. Accessibility Features

3.1 Website Navigation

Keyboard Navigation:

  • All functionality available via keyboard
  • Logical tab order
  • Skip navigation links
  • Visible keyboard focus indicators

Screen Reader Compatibility:

  • Semantic HTML markup
  • ARIA labels and landmarks
  • Alternative text for images
  • Proper heading structure
  • Associated form labels

Visual Design:

  • Sufficient colour contrast (minimum 4.5:1)
  • Text resizable up to 200%
  • No colour-only meaning
  • Responsive layout

3.2 Course Content

Video Content:

  • Captions for all videos
  • Transcripts provided
  • Audio descriptions when required
  • Keyboard-accessible playback controls

Text Content:

  • Readable fonts
  • Adjustable text size
  • Clear paragraph structure
  • Plain language wherever possible

Interactive Elements:

  • Keyboard-accessible quizzes
  • Extended time available if needed
  • Clear error messages
  • Form validation guidance

3.3 Documents and Downloads

PDFs:

  • Tagged and structured
  • Alternative text included
  • Screen-reader friendly
  • Accessible alternatives available

Templates and Resources:

  • Multiple formats where possible
  • Word templates with proper styles
  • Excel files with labelled headers

4. Assistive Technology Compatibility

Our platform has been tested with the following:

Screen Readers:

  • JAWS
  • NVDA
  • VoiceOver
  • TalkBack

Browsers:

  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Edge

Operating Systems:

  • Windows 10+
  • macOS (latest two versions)
  • iOS (latest two versions)
  • Android (latest two versions)

5. Known Limitations

5.1 Current Limitations

Third-Party Content:

  • Some embedded content may not be fully accessible
  • Accessible alternatives available upon request

Legacy Course Content:

  • Older content may not meet current standards
  • Systematic updates ongoing

Community Forums:

  • User-generated content may vary in accessibility
  • Moderation encourages accessible practices

Interactive Assessments:

  • Some complex elements may be challenging
  • Alternative assessment methods available

Mobile Application: If launched, separate documentation will be provided.

6. Accessibility Support

6.1 Request Accessible Formats

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 7448 190917
Response Time: Within 2 business days

6.2 Report Accessibility Barriers

Include in Your Report:

  • Page or course where issue occurred
  • Description of the issue
  • Browser and assistive technology used
  • Operating system

6.3 Request Accommodations

  • Extended assessment time
  • Alternative formats
  • Transcript-only access
  • Accessible documents
  • Sign language interpretation

Contact: [email protected]

7. Accessibility Roadmap

7.1 Ongoing Improvements

  • Achieve full WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance
  • Audit all course content
  • Implement automated accessibility testing
  • Provide accessibility training
  • Expand captions and transcripts

7.2 Regular Reviews

  • Quarterly automated scans
  • Annual third-party audits
  • User testing with people with disabilities
  • Continuous monitoring

8. Technical Specifications

8.1 Standards Compliance

  • HTML5
  • WAI-ARIA
  • CSS3
  • JavaScript (with graceful degradation)

8.2 Browser Requirements

  • Latest browser versions recommended
  • JavaScript enabled
  • Cookies enabled

9. Training and Awareness

9.1 Staff Training

  • Web accessibility principles
  • WCAG 2.1 guidelines
  • Accessible content creation
  • Assistive technology use
  • Inclusive design

9.2 Course Creator Guidelines

  • Accessibility guidelines
  • Tools for accessible content
  • Review processes
  • Support for improvements

10. Third-Party Content and Services

10.1 Third-Party Providers

We use third-party services that include their own accessibility standards.

Video Hosting:

  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Payment Processing:

  • Stripe
  • PayPal

10.2 External Links

External websites may not meet our accessibility standards.

11. Formal Complaints

11.1 UK/EU Users

  • Equality and Human Rights Commission
  • National equality bodies

11.2 Australian Users

Australian Human Rights Commission

11.3 US Users

  • Section 508 offices
  • ADA Information Line

12. Evaluation and Methodology

This statement is based on:

  • Automated testing (WAVE, axe, Lighthouse)
  • Manual testing
  • User feedback
  • Third-party audits

13. Contact Information

13.1 Accessibility Questions

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 7448 190917

Student Support

Email: [email protected]

Enterprise Accessibility

Email: [email protected]

Postal Address

The Virtuoso Academy
United Kingdom

14. Statement Updates

  • Reviewed quarterly
  • Updated after major changes
  • Updated following audits
  • Updated based on user feedback

Last Full Review: November 2024
Next Scheduled Review: February 2025

15. Legal Frameworks

  • Equality Act 2010 (UK)
  • European Accessibility Act
  • ADA and Section 508 (US)
  • Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Australia)
  • UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Acknowledgment: The Virtuoso Academy remains committed to ensuring accessibility for all users. Feedback is welcome at [email protected].