Accessibility Statement

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with European standard EN 301 549 version 3.2.1, which includes the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. This means that some parts of the content do not fully comply with the accessibility standard.

The audit assessed the website against WCAG 2.2 Level AA, the most recent version of the guidelines. This version also includes all success criteria of WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

An external audit was carried out by Eleven Ways between 18 August and 16 September 2026. This involved an in-depth analysis.

For the audit, 33 pages were examined: 29 public pages and 4 portal pages, selected to cover all page types and the main user tasks (choosing a study programme, enrolling, getting in touch and searching). Four academic calendars in PDF format were also tested. Each page was manually tested using a keyboard, the VoiceOver screen reader and zoom levels of up to 400%, supplemented by automated checks.

Of the 56 WCAG 2.2 Level AA success criteria, 19 were not met, 31 were met and 6 were not applicable.

Non-accessible content

Although we have taken steps to improve accessibility, the following accessibility issues remain:

Images without useful text alternatives

• Some images have no description for screen readers, or a description that does not convey meaningful information. Clickable images, such as Instagram posts and staff profile photos, are therefore announced as links without a name. Icons and decorative emojis are read aloud unnecessarily.
• Planned solution: add clear text alternatives to informative images and hide decorative images, icons and emojis from screen readers in shared components of the website.

Academic calendars in PDF format are not readable with a screen reader

• The calendars are PDF files without an accessible structure. A screen reader cannot associate a date with the corresponding week or activity. Some calendars are also incorrectly marked as being in English.
• Planned solution: publish the calendars as accessible tables on the website.

Page structure is not always correct

• Some pages have multiple main headings, empty or skipped headings, or headings that are used only to make text appear larger. Lists, tabs and navigation sections are not always structured correctly, and internal fields from the content management system appear in search results. As a result, people navigating with a screen reader may get a confusing picture of the page.
• Planned solution: correct the structure of headings, lists, tabs and navigation on the affected pages.

Links and buttons with unclear text

• Some links are labelled only “here”, “Lees meer” or “Read more”, making it unclear where they lead. One link is empty and does not work. Links to another page and buttons that expand content look the same.
• Planned solution: use descriptive link text, remove the empty link and make links and expandable buttons visually distinguishable from each other.

Forms do not automatically fill in personal details

• Fields for names and email addresses cannot be automatically filled in by the browser. Users who are signed in have to enter this information again.
• Planned solution: configure the fields so that browsers can fill them in automatically and pre-fill the details of signed-in users.

Changes on the page are not announced by screen readers

• Suggestions that appear while typing in the search field, and the number of results displayed after filtering study programmes, are not announced to screen reader users.
• Planned solution: ensure that these changes are announced by screen readers and that the search field is structured correctly.

English labels in a Dutch-language environment

• Some buttons and components have English labels, such as “Favourite”, “Show results” and “Primary”. Screen readers pronounce these using a Dutch voice.
• Planned solution: translate all labels into Dutch.

Feedback and contact details

If you encounter a page or document that is difficult to read or use, or if you have any questions or comments about the accessibility of our website, please let us know by email: [email protected].

We aim to provide an initial response within 5 working days.

Improvement plan

Odisee is actively working to address the areas for improvement identified in the accessibility audit. Some of the issues occur in components that are used across multiple pages, such as buttons, image blocks and navigation. By updating these components centrally, we can improve several pages at the same time. Other areas for improvement relate to web content and require changes to our editorial processes.

• In addressing these issues, we take into account the impact, feasibility and scope of the changes. Where possible, we prioritise changes that improve accessibility in multiple places at the same time.
• Where possible, technical improvements are addressed together. Improvements to web content are systematically incorporated into our editorial processes.
• Completed improvements are reviewed. We update this Accessibility Statement based on the progress made.

Digital accessibility is also taken into account in the day-to-day work of staff responsible for web content and communications, as well as when purchasing and developing digital tools and services.