Updated: 16 July 2025

The ThinkingWare Workshop Toolkit is a web application (hereafter "The ThinkingWare App") to help design effective workshop plans. Users can utilize the Workshop Planning tool to design plans and the Workshop Planning Library to manage plans. In the Workshop Planning Library users can also view a moderated public library of workshop plans.

General Accessibility Information

Research IT at The University of Manchester is committed to making the apps accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 ("Accessibility Regulations").The ThinkingWare App is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard ("WCAG 2.1 AA standard") in so far as they apply to web applications, due to the non-compliances listed in the Accessibility Limitations section below.The ThinkingWare App is designed to be accessed through modern web browsers on desktop and mobile devices. We strive to follow best practice accessibility guidelines as outlined by international standards and browser vendors:

• W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
• Mozilla Developer Network Accessibility Guidelines

When using The ThinkingWare App, you can take advantage of built-in browser and operating system accessibility features to adjust your experience. These include options to:

• Increase text size and zoom up to 300% without loss of content or functionality.
• Change colours, contrast levels, and fonts using browser extensions or system settings.
• Navigate the interface using only a keyboard.
• Use speech recognition software to interact with the app.
• Read content using screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, or TalkBack.

We aim to ensure that all interactive elements are accessible via keyboard and that semantic HTML is used to support assistive technologies.AbilityNet provides guidance on how to make your device easier to use if you have a disability.In line with the goals of the research team, we have made the language used in the ThinkingWare App as clear and simple as possible to support users with a wide range of educational backgrounds.

Accessibility Testing

We have tested every page within the ThinkingWare App using the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool plug-in, which is powered by WebAIM. The analysis highlights any content that is not compliant with the WCAG 2.1 AA standard. Any non-compliant content that is considered core functionality of the app, or essential to the user experience, has been addressed as part of this exercise. As funding to develop the app is limited to the available research project budgets, it is not always possible to resolve every issue.

Accessibility Limitations

Although we have taken reasonable steps to ensure the ThinkingWare App is accessible for all expected users, we accept that there are some elements which remain non-compliant with the Accessibility Regulations:

• Images may not have appropriate alternative text WCAG 2.1 1.1.1 Non-text Content
• Some interactive elements in the Workshop Planning tool and Examples and Resources page have insufficient colour contrast WCAG 2.1 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
• Rearranging activities via drag-and-drop in the Sequencing section of the Workshop Planning tool has no alternative that can be operated with the keyboard only WCAG 2.1 2.1.1 Keyboard
• No mechanism is available to bypass blocks of content. WCAG 2.1 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks
• Status messages are not always identified through the role attribute. WCAG 2.1 4.1.3 Status Messages

If you want to provide feedback on any of the items above, or any other aspects of the ThinkingWare App that prevent you from using the app, please send an email to rse-researchit@manchester.ac.uk.

Content Not in the Scope of the Accessibility Regulations

Third Party Content

Some features in the ThinkingWare App may be provided by "connected services". These services are owned by a third-party and are outside our control. We recommend you contact the third-party provider directly if you have concerns about the accessibility of their services. However, please let us know as well to ensure that we are aware of issues with that service for future apps.

How to get Information about the ThinkingWare App in an Accessible Format

If you have an accessibility query (including about content outside the scope of the Accessibility Regulations) or need information about the app in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or Braille then please email rse-researchit@manchester.ac.uk and we will arrange this for you.

Reporting Accessibility Problems with the ThinkingWare App

We're always looking to improve the accessibility of our apps and we respond positively to feedback. If you find any problems not listed earlier, or you think we're not meeting our accessibility obligations, then please email rse-researchit@manchester.ac.uk to let us know and we will consider the issue and aim to get back to you within 5 working days.

Enforcement Procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the accessibility regulations. If you're not happy with how we respond to a complaint about accessibility, please let us know. If you remain unsatisfied, please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).