Accessibility Statement – Aalto University Teacher Services, MyCourses and OpenLearning learning environments
This accessibility statement, dated 07.10.2026, applies to Aalto University’s MyCourses and OpenLearning learning environments, which are Moodle-based digital services. The services are subject to the Finnish Act on the Provision of Digital Services, which requires public online services to be accessible.
MyCourses was launched on 1 September 2015, OpenLearning was launched on 1 September 2016. Both services use Moodle 5.1.4. The aim of Aalto University Teacher Services is to maintain technically accessible, understandable and easy-to-use services for all users.
The information in this statement is based on Aalto University’s self-assessment, user feedback, manual testing, Moodle’s accessibility report and the external audits referenced in that report. The observations concern the desktop browser version of the services.
Accessibility status
The MyCourses and OpenLearning learning environments largely meet the WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility requirements. We continuously improve the accessibility of the services.
The accessibility of MyCourses and OpenLearning may vary depending on local settings, themes, plugins and user-generated content. The accessibility of all third-party plugins and applications is not assessed comprehensively in this statement. These include, for example, FeedbackFruits, H5P, CodeRunner and STACK.
MyCourses also includes tools that support accessibility, such as ReadSpeaker, DocReader and the Accessibility review block (also available in OpenLearning).
Inaccessible content
Although Moodle has been reported to meet the key WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility requirements, there are still some known accessibility issues in MyCourses and OpenLearning and in content added by users:
- Missing or incomplete translations: Some parts of the user interface and some plugin texts may have missing translations. This may make the content more difficult to understand and may affect the functioning of assistive technologies, such as screen readers, in languages other than English. Issues may occur especially in Swedish and, in some cases, also in Finnish. Course content may be in a different language from the primary language defined in the user’s MyCourses or OpenLearning profile. In some cases, problems related to screen reader language recognition can be reduced by changing the profile language to match the language of the course content.
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Contrast issues: Some customised or plugin-related user interface elements, as well as some uploaded media and document content, may have contrast issues.
- A system-wide dark mode has been introduced in MyCourses as of 15 June 2026. Dark mode may improve the contrast of many user interface elements. Local styles are also being developed based on user feedback and expert assessments.
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Accessibility of files and media content: Not all files uploaded to MyCourses and OpenLearning have been created in accordance with accessibility requirements. For example, PDF and Office documents may be missing alternative text for images, heading structures, document structure, PDF tags, correct reading order or sufficient colour contrast. Some videos uploaded to the service may be missing captions.
- For course content, the teacher should be informed of the identified accessibility issue so that they can correct the content.
- Forms and labels in third-party or customised functions: In some activities provided by third parties or customised locally, there may be occasional issues with programmatic labels or focus order in forms. Local customisations are being developed to comply with the WCAG 2.2 requirements concerning focus and labels.
- Issues with heading structure: Some pages may have missing heading levels or headings in an incorrect order. In some cases, text that visually appears to be a heading is not technically marked as a heading. Headings may also be used in navigation areas in ways that make the page structure more difficult to understand, especially when using assistive technologies.
Course content produced by teachers and other content creators
Content creators on MyCourses and OpenLearning course pages are responsible for the accessibility of the content they add to the service. This applies, for example, to materials produced by teachers, course assistants and others who add content to a course area.
Aalto University provides support for producing accessible learning materials and digital content. More information is available on Aalto University’s guidance pages and in training sessions.
Accessibility requirements may not apply to all content in MyCourses and OpenLearning. Exceptions may include, for example:
- content that is available to a restricted group temporarily, for 1–3 teaching periods
- file content published before 23 September 2018
- videos or recordings published before 23 September 2020
- live video or audio streams that will not be reused
- certain course content produced by students
Accessibility feedback
Aalto University Teacher Services is committed to complying with accessibility requirements. We continuously develop MyCourses and OpenLearning and aim to correct identified accessibility issues.
If you notice an accessibility issue in MyCourses or OpenLearning or need content in an accessible format, please contact us at myteachingsupport@aalto.fi.
We will respond to your feedback within 14 days. We will correct reported and identified issues without delay.
Supervisory authority and filing a complaint
If you notice accessibility issues on the site, please first send feedback to us, the service administrators. You may file a complaint with the supervisory authority if you are not satisfied with the response you receive from us or if you do not receive a response within 14 days. The supervisory authority’s website explains in detail how to file a complaint and how the matter will be handled.
Contact details of the supervisory authority
Finnish Transport and Communications Agency TraficomDigital Accessibility Supervision Unit
www.saavutettavuusvaatimukset.fi
saavutettavuus@traficom.fi
Telephone, switchboard: +358 29 534 5000