Universities, as leading institutions in education, have the duty to be the best example in implementing an environment accessible to all.
Although the legal obligations are clear, reality shows that many of these institutions still have a long way to go. Today, in Your Accessible Web, we analyze in detail the level of adequacy and the areas for improvement of the universities of the Canary Islands through this ranking.
Ranking de accesibilidad web en las universidades de Canarias:
Following the regulatory framework established by RD 1112/2018, universities are required to achieve an AA conformity level from June 23, 2021. To achieve this standard, it is essential to comply with the criteria established in the WCAG 2.1 and conduct periodic accessibility assessments to identify areas for improvement and ensure an accessible web portal.
What is the current status of web accessibility in each university in the Canary Islands? From scores to compliance levels to an analysis of your accessibility statements, we’ll take a close look at the current situation to understand where your accessibility currently stands.
Universityof Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Despite obtaining a score of 7.67, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria faces significant challenges in its web accessibility.
Although their website achieves a partial level of compliance, it lacks crucial elements that would ensure an inclusive experience for all users.
There is a lack of key elements in terms of accessibility, which can make navigation and understanding difficult for those with disabilities.
Furthermore, although the accessibility statement has an appropriate format, it does not fully reflect the existing deficiencies in achieving full compliance. In summary, the ULPGC needs to address specific gaps on its website to ensure an adequate level of accessibility.
University of La Laguna: With a score of 6.45 and a conformity that does not reach the required standards, the University of La Laguna presents several problematic aspects in its web accessibility.
Multiple areas are identified where the website does not meet accessibility standards, which can significantly hinder the experience of users with disabilities.
These issues include the lack of proper labels for images, forms, and other interactive elements, as well as the lack of a clear and consistent structure on some pages. It is important to mention that no accessibility statement was found on its web portal.
In summary, the ULL needs to make substantial improvements to its website to reach the required level of accessibility.
| Position | University | Level of adequacy | Average website score | Compliance status | Accessibility statement |
| 1 | Universityof Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | Invalid | 7.67 | Partially compliant | 2020 – Adequate format but missing information |
| 2 | University of La Laguna | Invalid | 6.45 | Not compliant | Not appreciated |
Note: Compliance status is based on the number of error-free pages. There may be a high score because the same errors are repeated on most of the website’s pages.
A modo de conclusión…
Thanks to this analysis of web accessibility in the universities of the Canary Islands, it is evident that both institutions face significant challenges in this aspect.
Although the ULPGC shows a slightly higher level of compliance, both universities have significant room for improvement to ensure an inclusive and equitable experience for all their students.
Universities, in particular, play a crucial role in launching a society where web accessibility prevails, and they have a crucial role in the path to an inclusive society for all.
