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Study space and Computer Bookings

Using MyPC

Bookings Rooms and Computers

The default mode for booking on MyPC is via a booking grid, which has too many elements to be fully accessible. The accessible alternative is the mobile interface, which will display by default on most mobile devices and can also be accessed on a desktop using this link to the accessible booking interface.

In the next section there is a guide to accessible booking.

If this booking interface is still not accessible for you, please let us know so that we can work to improve it further. We would also be happy to book rooms or computers on your behalf. Please contact us either by email (library.loans@solent.ac.uk) or by telephone (on 023 8201 3681), or speak to a member of staff in the library.

Checking Availability

You can check the current availability in the different areas of the library on the availability page. This can give you a good idea of which areas are busy right now. Unfortunately, the maps of individual areas, which display the same information graphically are not fully accessible.

 

Guide to accessible booking

Introduction

You should be able to use the following accessibility features when booking via the accessible interface:

  • Change colours and fonts
  • Zoom in up to 300% without text falling off the screen
  • Navigate using the keyboard only
  • Listen to the content of the pages using a screen reader

Making a Booking

Login to the accessible booking interface using your university username and password. The sign-in button is not currently accessible via the keyboard, but you can hit return after entering your password to enter.

Once logged in you are presented with a number of options including Book Now, for booking a computer right now, and Book Future, for advance bookings. We never recommend that any one should make a booking if they want to use the computers right now; it is easier to just find a computer and login.

When making a future booking, the interface will ask a series of questions in order to narrow down what type of booking you want to make. It will ask you to select the site, location, computer type, date, time, and duration of booking. You should be able to use the keyboard to select an answer for each question and click Next. After making your selection, you may need to tab back up the page to find the Next button. It will present you with your selections, and if you are happy with these select Find. It will let you know if a booking can be made; if it can, you need to click Confirm to secure the booking. You should get a confirmation message on the screen and an email in your university inbox.

 

MyPC Accessibility Statement

This accessibility statement applies to MyPC at Solent University.

About MyPC

MyPC is computer booking software provided to Solent University Library by ITS (Information Technology Supply), who are responsible for all maintenance and updates. It is hosted on Solent University servers, but there is very limited facility for customization.

ITS have provided us with a vendor accessibility statement. In it they acknowledge that the grid view is not accessible, as this is too complex to navigate via screen reader and keyboard. There are alternative methods to the grid view to make a booking.

Using MyPC

You should be able to:

  • change colours, contrast levels and fonts
  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
  • navigate most of the website's functionality using just a keyboard
  • listen to most of the website's functionality using a screen reader (including the most recent version of NVDA)

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:

  • The desktop (grid) booking booking system is too complex to be easily used with a screen reader or with the keyboard only. The accessible alternative is the mobile booking system.
  • The maps are unusable with a screen reader.
  • In the mobile/accessible system there is not sufficient colour contrast.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, audio recording etc.:

We'll consider your request and get back to you within 5 working days.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We're always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we're not meeting accessibility requirements, contact: library.loans@solent.ac.uk. Alternatively, you may go direct to James Clark, Library Digital Systems Manager, email: james.clark@solent.ac.uk, telephone: 023 8201 3260

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the 'accessibility regulations'). If you're not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person

If you prefer not to use our online chat service, you can email, telephone, or visit in person. We can provide arrange for an audio induction loop if you contact us before your visit.
Find out how to contact us.

Technical information about this website's accessibility

Solent University is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

  • The desktop (grid) booking booking system is too complex to be easily used with a screen reader or with the keyboard only. The accessible alternative is the mobile booking system.
  • In the mobile/accessible system there is not sufficient colour contrast.

Disproportionate burden

The problems outlined above are intrinsic to MyPC as developed by ITS. We have petitioned ITS to improve some of these problems. For other problems there is an alternative way to resolve the issue, and as a result we believe that the cost of replacing this system with one that does not have similar problems would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations. We will make another assessment by Summer 2024.

Content that's not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

The MyPC maps are outside the scope of this statement. 

What we're doing to improve accessibility

We have made customizations to the log-in page so that all elements can be accessed via keyboard and screen reader. We raise issues with our vendor where appropriate. We raised the issue of insufficient colour contrast on the mobile system, and were told that a solution to this was in testing. We expect to have a more accessible version of the mobile system in place by July 2022. 

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 21st September 2020. It was last revised on 1st March 2022, and last reviewed on 1st March 2022. This website was last tested on 23rd February 2022. The test was carried out by ourselves. The approach to deciding on a sample of pages to test is described (under the Selection of pages heading) in the accessibility report; you can read the full accessibility test report.