The National Student Network. NSN UK. 

Accessibility Statement

Last Updated: 9th March 2026

At National Student Network UK (NSN UK), the UK subsidiary of NSN Global Services, we are committed to ensuring that our website and digital services are accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. We believe in promoting inclusivity and equal access to information on student health and wellbeing, innovative technologies such as AI personal tutors, support for businesses, governments, and organisations, and our flagship campaign 'NSN Safer Living'. This Accessibility Statement outlines our ongoing efforts to comply with relevant UK laws and international standards, details the measures we have implemented, acknowledges any known limitations, and provides guidance on how to report accessibility issues or seek alternative formats.

Our approach to accessibility is guided by the principles of the Equality Act 2010, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, and the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the "Accessibility Regulations"). Although NSN UK is not a public sector body as defined under these regulations, we voluntarily strive to meet the same high standards to ensure our services benefit all UK users, including students, educators, and partners across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We aim to make our website perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for users with a wide range of disabilities, such as visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, and neurological impairments.

Accessibility Standards and Compliance

NSN UK's website is designed and developed to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level AA, as recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). WCAG 2.1 is an internationally recognised standard that provides a framework for making web content more accessible. We are also monitoring updates to WCAG 2.2 and plan to incorporate relevant enhancements as they become standard practice.

Key aspects of our compliance efforts include:

- Perceivable Information: We ensure text alternatives (alt text) are provided for non-text content, such as images, icons, and infographics. For example, all visuals on pages like our 'NSN Safer Living' campaign include descriptive alt text to support screen reader users. Multimedia content, if present, includes captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions where applicable. Colour contrast ratios meet or exceed 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text, reducing barriers for users with low vision or colour blindness.

- Operable User Interface: Navigation is keyboard-friendly, with no keyboard traps, and all interactive elements (e.g., forms, buttons, and links) are focusable and operable without a mouse. We avoid time-based media that cannot be paused or controlled, and ensure that content does not cause seizures or physical reactions, adhering to guidelines on flashing content (limited to three flashes per second or below).

- Understandable Content: Language is clear and consistent, with reading levels aimed at a broad audience, including students. Error messages in forms are descriptive and provide suggestions for correction. We use predictable navigation structures, such as consistent headings (H1 to H6) and ARIA landmarks for screen readers, to help users with cognitive disabilities orient themselves.

- Robust Compatibility: Our site is built with semantic HTML5 and tested for compatibility with assistive technologies, including popular screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver; browser zoom up to 200%; and tools like browser extensions for colour adjustment. We regularly test across major browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) to ensure cross-platform accessibility.

To achieve this, we conduct internal audits using automated tools like WAVE, Axe, and Lighthouse, combined with manual testing by accessibility experts. External audits are performed annually by certified professionals to identify and address any gaps. Our development team receives ongoing training on accessible design principles, and accessibility is integrated into our content creation workflow from the outset.

Known Limitations and Ongoing Improvements

While we strive for full accessibility, we acknowledge that some areas of our website may not yet fully meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards due to technical constraints or legacy content. Current known limitations include:

- Third-Party Content: Some embedded content from partners, such as videos or interactive tools from organisations like the United Nations or Saxon Data, may not be fully accessible if provided by external sources. We work with partners to encourage compliance but cannot always control third-party elements. Where possible, we provide accessible alternatives or transcripts.

- Complex Interactive Features: Advanced features in our AI personal tutor demos, such as real-time interactive quizzes, may pose challenges for certain assistive technologies due to dynamic content updates. We are actively developing ARIA live regions and notifications to improve this.

- PDF Documents: Older downloadable resources (e.g., impact reports) may not be fully tagged for screen readers. We are in the process of remediating these by converting to accessible PDFs with proper headings, alt text for images, and reading order. New PDFs are created with accessibility in mind using tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro.

- Mobile Responsiveness: While our site is responsive, some older pages may have layout issues at extreme zoom levels or on very small screens. We are prioritising updates to ensure fluid reflow without loss of information.

If you encounter any issues or others, we encourage you to report them so we can prioritise fixes.

Alternative Formats and Assistance

If you require information in an alternative format (e.g., large print, Braille, audio, or easy-read versions), or if you need assistance accessing our services, please contact us. We will respond within 5 business days and aim to provide the requested format within 28 days, depending on complexity. For example, we can provide transcripts for any audio content or simplified summaries of complex pages like our Technological Plans and Solutions.

Reporting Accessibility Issues

Your feedback is crucial to improving our accessibility. If you experience any barriers while using our website, or if you have suggestions for enhancements, please report them to us directly. Include as much detail as possible, such as:

- The page URL or section affected.
- A description of the problem (e.g., "Image lacks alt text" or "Form not keyboard-navigable").
- The device, browser, and assistive technology you are using.
- Your contact details for follow-up.

Reports can be submitted via email to enquiries@nationalstudentnetwork.com. We acknowledge all reports within 5 business days and provide an update on resolution timelines within 28 days. If the issue relates to data privacy in an accessibility context, refer to our Privacy Policy at www.nationalstudentnetwork.com/privacy-policy.

If you are not satisfied with our response, or if the issue persists, you have the right to escalate your complaint to official third-party bodies in the UK. For accessibility-related discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC):

- Website: www.equalityhumanrights.com
- Helpline: 0808 800 0082 (England and Scotland) or 0808 800 0084 (Wales)
- Textphone: 18001 0808 800 0082

The EHRC can provide advice, investigate complaints, and enforce compliance where applicable. For public sector websites (though NSN UK is not classified as such), the Cabinet Office enforces the Accessibility Regulations, and unresolved issues can be referred to them via the EHRC.

Additionally, if your complaint involves data protection aspects (e.g., inaccessible privacy notices), you can contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

- Website: www.ico.org.uk
- Helpline: 0303 123 1113

We commit to cooperating fully with any third-party investigations and using outcomes to enhance our practices.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Accessibility is an ongoing priority for NSN UK. We engage with disability advocacy groups and user testing panels, including those representing visual, hearing, and cognitive impairments, to inform our designs. Our parent company, NSN Global Services, supports these efforts through global best practices, with updates shared via www.nsnglobalservices.com/releases. We also monitor emerging technologies, such as AI-driven accessibility tools, to further enhance our site.

By fostering an accessible digital environment, we align with our mission to empower UK students and communities. Thank you for helping us improve—your input ensures we serve everyone effectively.

For general engagement with NSN Global Services, email engage@nsnglobalservices.

Trademark Notice: NSN and the NSN logo are protected trademarks in the United Kingdom. All rights reserved. Use of these marks is subject to applicable laws and requires prior written permission from NSN Global Services.

Legal Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. NSN UK makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the accessibility of the website or the information contained herein for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. While we strive to meet accessibility standards, we cannot guarantee that all content is fully accessible at all times due to technical limitations or third-party dependencies. NSN UK complies with all relevant UK laws, including but not limited to the Equality Act 2010, the Accessibility Regulations 2018, the Data Protection Act 2018, and UK GDPR. For forward-looking statements regarding improvements, actual results may vary due to factors beyond our control. We are not liable for any loss or damage, including indirect or consequential loss, arising from accessibility issues or the use of this page. Please refer to our Privacy Policy at www.nationalstudentnetwork.com/privacy-policy and Terms and Conditions for full details.

Contact: engage@nsnglobalservices.com