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https://exeter.ac.uk

Accessibility

· 13 checks — Landmarks, headings, alt text, forms, and link quality rolled into one auditable list.
SCORE
64
GRADE
D
FIX
5
REVIEW
4
PASS
4
INFO
0
Checks
13
4 PASS 4 REVIEW 5 FIX
F
Favicon & Branding
Action
1 icon(s) detected
FIX
1 icon(s) detected
Warning::
No favicon.ico at site root
Some older browsers, bookmark tools, and RSS readers look for /favicon.ico. Add one as a fallback.
Info::
HTML icon links detected
Info::
No apple-touch-icon detected
iOS devices use this when users add your site to their home screen. Add <link rel='apple-touch-icon' sizes='180x180' href='/apple-touch-icon.png'>.
✗ favicon.ico Missing
✓ PNG Icons Present
✗ Apple Touch Missing
✗ SVG Favicon Missing
✗ Manifest Icons Missing
✗ Multiple Sizes Missing
D
Web Manifest
Action
Not found
FIX
Not found
Info::
No web manifest found
No manifest at standard paths (/manifest.json, /site.webmanifest). A manifest is optional but enables PWA features like home screen installation and standalone display.

No web manifest found.

D
Dark Mode Support
Action
No dark mode signals
FIX
No dark mode signals
Info::
No dark mode signals detected
Consider adding CSS with @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) and <meta name='color-scheme' content='light dark'>.
Info::
Detection limited to meta tags and inline styles
External CSS files may contain prefers-color-scheme rules not visible to this scan.
Dark ModeNo Dark Mode Detected
color-scheme meta Not set ✗Dark theme-color Not set ✗CSS indicators Not detected ✗

Detection limited to meta tags and inline styles.

D
Print Stylesheet
Action
No print styles
FIX
No print styles
Info::
No print-specific styles detected
When users print this page, they get the screen layout including navigation and non-essential elements. Add @media print rules to hide navigation and optimize layout for paper.
Print Stylesheet No Print Styles
Print stylesheet Not found ✗Inline @media print Not detected ✗
D
Navigation UX
Action
2 navigation pattern(s)
FIX
2 navigation pattern(s)
Info::
Search functionality detected
Got: role-search
Info::
Skip navigation link detected
Info::
1 navigation landmark(s) detected
Breadcrumbs
Search role='search' landmark
Skip Link Skip link detected
Labeled Navigation 1 <nav> element(s)
Back to Top
Hamburger Menu
Sticky Navigation Cannot reliably detect (CSS-based)
3 of 6 testable patterns navigation patterns detected. Strong navigation UX with multiple discovery paths.
B
Landmark Structure
4 landmarks
REVIEW
4 landmarks
Critical::
No <main> landmark found
Screen reader users cannot quickly navigate to the primary content. Wrap your main content in <main>.
Info::
1 <nav> landmark(s) found
Info::
Skip navigation link present
Info::
Search landmark present
Page Structure — as a screen reader sees it
BANNER header NAV "Global navigation" SEARCH MAIN (missing!) CONTENTINFO footer

Screen reader users cannot quickly navigate to the primary content. Wrap your main content in <main>.

Why this matters

Without a <main> landmark, screen-reader users can't skip past the navigation to the page content — every page starts with re-reading the menu.

Learn more ▾

The <main> element marks the page's primary content area. Assistive tech offers a 'jump to main' shortcut — but only if <main> exists. Without it, every page navigation forces re-reading the header. Wrap your primary content in a single <main>.

Source: WAI-ARIA / WCAG 2.4.1

B
404 Error Page
HTTP 404, custom page
REVIEW
HTTP 404, custom page
Info::
Correct 404 status code returned
Got: HTTP 404
Info::
Custom styled 404 page
Info::
Navigation links present on 404 page
Info::
Homepage link present on 404 page
404 Page Quality ✓ Custom 404 Page
Status Code HTTP 404 ✓Page Title 404 error page | Page not found! | University of Exeter ✓Custom Styling ✓Navigation ✓Homepage Link ✓Search Form ✗
C
Color Contrast (Screenshot)
Action
20 text elements analyzed, 20 fail WCAG AA
REVIEW

Analyzes text contrast against the actual rendered page, including background images, gradients, and overlays that CSS-based tools cannot detect.

0 pass 20 fail WCAG AA
h2 Search for a
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
24px · bottom of viewport
h2 Research
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
24px · bottom of viewport
h2 Education
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
24px · bottom of viewport
h2 Find a University of Exeter expert
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
24px · bottom of viewport
h2 Research
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
24px · bottom of viewport
h2 Research
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
24px · bottom of viewport
h2 News
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
24px · bottom of viewport
h2 Education
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
24px · bottom of viewport
h3 University of Exeter signs global partne…
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
19px · bottom of viewport
h3 Exeter hailed University of the Year for…
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
19px · bottom of viewport
h3 Women and Girls in Science.
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
19px · bottom of viewport
h3 Top 200 in the world
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
19px · bottom of viewport
h3 Top 15 in The Times and Sunday Times Goo…
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
19px · bottom of viewport
h3 Exeter graduates in the UK’s top 15 fo…
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
19px · bottom of viewport
h3 Exeter climbs in prestigious QS World Un…
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
19px · bottom of viewport
h3 Exeter’s ‘solid gold’ standard for…
1.19:1
#000000
on
#001D1E
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
19px · bottom of viewport
title University of Exeter | A Top Worldwide U…
1.16:1
#000000
on
#001A1A
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area)
a Skip to main content
1.20:1
#000000
on
#001E1E
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area)
button Search all
1.20:1
#000000
on
#001E1E
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area)
button Study
1.08:1
#000000
on
#100D05
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area)
Show all checked elements (20)
ElementRatioRequiredFGBGResult
h2 Search for a1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h2 Research1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h2 Education1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h2 Find a University of…1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h2 Research1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h2 Research1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h2 News1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h2 Education1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h3 University of Exeter…1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h3 Exeter hailed Univer…1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h3 Women and Girls in S…1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h3 Top 200 in the world1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h3 Top 15 in The Times …1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h3 Exeter graduates in …1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h3 Exeter climbs in pre…1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
h3 Exeter’s ‘solid …1.19:13.0:1
#000000
#001D1E
Fail
title University of Exeter…1.16:14.5:1
#000000
#001A1A
Fail
a Skip to main content1.20:14.5:1
#000000
#001E1E
Fail
button Search all1.20:14.5:1
#000000
#001E1E
Fail
button Study1.08:14.5:1
#000000
#100D05
Fail

Methodology: The top 20 text elements by font size were checked. Background color was sampled from the desktop screenshot using a 5-point pattern. WCAG 2.1 AA requires 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

A+
Heading Hierarchy
19 headings
PASS
19 headings
Info::
Single H1 present
  • H1 Welcome to the University of Exeter
  • H2 Your future starts with us
  • H2 Search for a course
  • H2 Research
  • H3 University of Exeter signs global partnership agreement with the French government.
  • H2 Education
  • H3 Exeter hailed University of the Year for its outstanding support for social mobility.
  • H2 Find a University of Exeter expert
  • H2 Research
  • H3 Women and Girls in Science.
  • H3 Top 200 in the world1
  • H3 Top 15 in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 and the Complete University Guide 2026
  • H3 Exeter graduates in the UK’s top 15 for most targeted by leading employers2
  • H3 We're ranked in the global top 50 for nine of the UN Sustainable Development Goals3
  • H2 Research
  • H3 Exeter climbs in prestigious QS World University Rankings.
  • H2 News All news
  • H2 Education
  • H3 Exeter’s ‘solid gold’ standard for teaching excellence amongst best in the UK.
A+
Alt Text Quality
All 31 images OK
PASS
All 31 images OK
Info::
31 image(s) with good alt text
31 images 31 good alt text
All images have appropriate alt text.
A+
Form Accessibility
All 9 controls labeled
PASS
All 9 controls labeled
Info::
9 control(s) properly labeled
9 controls
9 labeled
0 placeholder only
0 unlabeled
ControlTypeLabelMethod
#global-searchtextSearch websitearia-label
#querytextSearch coursesaria-label
#ugTabradionone
#pgtTabradionone
#pgrTabradionone
#daTabradionone
#onlineTabradionone
#querytextSearch coursesaria-label
#vtextExpertise searcharia-label
A+
Lighthouse Accessibility Audits
Score 95/100 — 1 failing, 30 passed
PASS
95

Accessibility

These checks highlight opportunities to improve the accessibility of your web app. Automatic detection can only detect a subset of issues and does not guarantee the accessibility of your web app, so manual testing is also encouraged.

Names and labels

When a button doesn't have an accessible name, screen readers announce it as "button", making it unusable for users who rely on screen readers. Learn how to make buttons more accessible.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Failing Elements
section#full-width-testimonials > div#testimonial-carousel > div.carousel-pause-buttons > button#playButton section#full-width-testimonials > div#testimonial-carousel > div.carousel-pause-buttons > button#playButton
section#full-width-testimonials > div#testimonial-carousel > div.carousel-pause-buttons > button#pauseButton section#full-width-testimonials > div#testimonial-carousel > div.carousel-pause-buttons > button#pauseButton

These are opportunities to improve the semantics of the controls in your application. This may enhance the experience for users of assistive technology, like a screen reader.

○Interactive controls are keyboard focusable
○Interactive elements indicate their purpose and state
○The page has a logical tab order
○Visual order on the page follows DOM order
○User focus is not accidentally trapped in a region
○The user's focus is directed to new content added to the page
○HTML5 landmark elements are used to improve navigation
○Offscreen content is hidden from assistive technology
○Custom controls have associated labels
○Custom controls have ARIA roles
●`[aria-*]` attributes match their roles
●`[aria-hidden="true"]` is not present on the document `<body>`
●`[role]`s have all required `[aria-*]` attributes
●Elements with an ARIA `[role]` that require children to contain a specific `[role]` have all required children.
●`[role]`s are contained by their required parent element
●`[role]` values are valid
●`[aria-*]` attributes have valid values
●`[aria-*]` attributes are valid and not misspelled
●Image elements have `[alt]` attributes
●Form elements have associated labels
●`[user-scalable="no"]` is not used in the `<meta name="viewport">` element and the `[maximum-scale]` attribute is not less than 5.
●ARIA attributes are used as specified for the element's role
●Elements with `role="dialog"` or `role="alertdialog"` have accessible names.
●`[aria-hidden="true"]` elements do not contain focusable descendents
●Elements use only permitted ARIA attributes
●Background and foreground colors have a sufficient contrast ratio
●Document has a `<title>` element
●`<html>` element has a `[lang]` attribute
●`<html>` element has a valid value for its `[lang]` attribute
●Links have a discernible name
●Lists contain only `<li>` elements and script supporting elements (`<script>` and `<template>`).
●List items (`<li>`) are contained within `<ul>`, `<ol>` or `<menu>` parent elements
●No element has a `[tabindex]` value greater than 0
●Touch targets have sufficient size and spacing.
●Heading elements appear in a sequentially-descending order
●Skip links are focusable.
●Document has a main landmark.
●Deprecated ARIA roles were not used
●Identical links have the same purpose.
●Elements with visible text labels have matching accessible names.
○`[accesskey]` values are unique
○`button`, `link`, and `menuitem` elements have accessible names
○ARIA input fields have accessible names
○ARIA `meter` elements have accessible names
○ARIA `progressbar` elements have accessible names
○Elements with the `role=text` attribute do not have focusable descendents.
○ARIA toggle fields have accessible names
○ARIA `tooltip` elements have accessible names
○ARIA `treeitem` elements have accessible names
○The page contains a heading, skip link, or landmark region
○`<dl>`'s contain only properly-ordered `<dt>` and `<dd>` groups, `<script>`, `<template>` or `<div>` elements.
○Definition list items are wrapped in `<dl>` elements
○ARIA IDs are unique
○No form fields have multiple labels
○`<frame>` or `<iframe>` elements have a title
○`<html>` element has an `[xml:lang]` attribute with the same base language as the `[lang]` attribute.
○Input buttons have discernible text.
○`<input type="image">` elements have `[alt]` text
○Links are distinguishable without relying on color.
○The document does not use `<meta http-equiv="refresh">`
○`<object>` elements have alternate text
○Select elements have associated label elements.
○Cells in a `<table>` element that use the `[headers]` attribute refer to table cells within the same table.
○`<th>` elements and elements with `[role="columnheader"/"rowheader"]` have data cells they describe.
○`[lang]` attributes have a valid value
○`<video>` elements contain a `<track>` element with `[kind="captions"]`
○Tables have different content in the summary attribute and `<caption>`.
○All heading elements contain content.
○Uses ARIA roles only on compatible elements
○Image elements do not have `[alt]` attributes that are redundant text.
○Tables use `<caption>` instead of cells with the `[colspan]` attribute to indicate a caption.
○`<td>` elements in a large `<table>` have one or more table headers.
All checks on this page are automated. Results are estimates - run targeted manual reviews when the score affects a release decision.

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