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ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT

Last updated: February 2026

Newbold Connect exists to serve real people in real life – not just those with perfect schedules, eyesight, hearing, or energy levels.

We are committed to making Newbold Connect as accessible, inclusive, and usable as reasonably possible for a wide range of learners, while being honest about the constraints of our platform and resources.

This statement explains:

  •  What we’re aiming for
  •  What we currently do
  •  Where the limits are (especially with Kajabi)
  •  How you can ask for help or suggest improvements

It should be read alongside our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Safeguarding & Sensitive Content Policy.

1.    OUR COMMITMENT

Newbold Connect is designed as practice-first Christian learning for real life, supporting whole-life discipleship—integrating faith with work, home, church, community, relationships, and personal rhythms. That only works if the platform is usable by:

  • People with different abilities and disabilities
  • People at different life stages and energy levels
  • People accessing content from different devices, bandwidths, and regions

Our objectives are to:

  1. Provide a learning experience that is as accessible as reasonably achievable within the capabilities of our platform provider (Kajabi) and our resources.
  2. Design classes and resources in ways that reduce unnecessary barriers (visual, auditory, cognitive, time-based).
  3. Respond pragmatically and reasonably to accessibility requests and feedback.

We are not claiming perfection. We are committed to continuous improvement and transparency.

2.   TECHNICAL PLATFORM AND STANDARDS

Newbold Connect is built on Kajabi, a commercial learning and site platform. That brings strengths (stability, speed to market) and constraints (we do not control every aspect of the underlying code or interface).

Our working targets are:

  • To work towards the spirit of WCAG 2.1 AA where it is realistically possible within Kajabi and our customisations, focusing first on the highest-impact learner journeys (sign-up, login, checkout, Class access, playback).
  • To ensure that any custom elements we add (e.g. embedded media, downloadable resources) do not introduce avoidable barriers.

In practical terms, this means:

  • Using clear, consistent navigation structures that Kajabi supports.
  • Avoiding reliance on colour alone to convey meaning where we control design.
  • Keeping layouts as clean and uncluttered as the brand allows.

We are not going to pretend the entire platform is perfectly WCAG-compliant. It isn’t. But we will not hide behind Kajabi as an excuse to ignore accessibility either.

3.   CURRENT ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES

3.1.     Video and audio content

Our aim is that all new classes and core content will include:

  • Captions for video lessons (either closed captions in the player or open captions burned into the video).

Where older or pilot content initially launches without full captions or transcripts, this will be made explicit on the class page. Those gaps will be prioritised for remediation as the library grows.

3.2.    Text and documents

For written content and downloadable resources (e.g. guides, worksheets), we aim to:

  • Use clear headings and logical structure (H1, H2, etc.)
  • Keep paragraphs reasonably short and avoid unnecessary jargon
  • Use sufficient contrast between text and background in line with good practice
  • Provide PDF or similar formats that are compatible with common screen readers wherever possible
  • Avoid handwriting-style fonts for body text

We will not always hit “plain English” perfection, because some topics require technical or theological language, but we will not use complexity as a performance art.

3.3.    Navigation and interaction

Within the limits of Kajabi:

  • Menus and navigation will be consistent and predictable across the site.
  • Buttons and links will have meaningful labels rather than vague “click here”.
  • We will avoid time-limited interactions where possible; where timers are necessary, we will aim to give clear warning and alternatives.

3.4.   Device and bandwidth considerations

We know many learners are using:

  • Older laptops or tablets
  • Shared devices
  • Limited or inconsistent internet connections

We therefore:

  • Optimise media for streaming on typical broadband and mobile where possible.
  • Provide downloadable resources (where licensing allows) so some learning can continue offline. Where offline access is available, it is provided within the Platform; the Platform does not provide separate MP3 downloads unless explicitly stated.
  • Encourage instructors to design modular episodes rather than one long, high-bandwidth slog.

4.  INCLUSION IN CONTENT AND PEDAGOGY

Accessibility is not just about fonts and buttons. It’s also about:

  • Representation – whose stories we tell, whose examples we use
  • Tone – whether people with disabilities or mental health challenges are treated as whole people, not projects
  • Assumptions – e.g. that everyone can attend live sessions, sit still for long periods, or read small text on a phone

We are asking instructors to:

  • Avoid throwaway lines that demean or stereotype particular groups.
  • Normalise a range of experiences (including disability, neurodiversity, and mental health struggles) without sensationalising them.
  • Build in flexibility in application – e.g. reflection prompts that are realistic for people with care responsibilities, fatigue, or limited control over their schedule.

We will not get this perfectly right, and if you spot blind spots, we want to hear about them.

5.   KNOWN LIMITATIONS

Let’s be blunt about what we cannot fully guarantee right now:

  • Full WCAG 2.1 AA compliance across the whole platform – Kajabi gives us significant control, but not total freedom.
  • Perfect keyboard-only navigation in every aspect of the site – most core pages should work reasonably; some embedded elements or third-party widgets may be less polished.
  • Screen-reader perfection – our aim is that key paths (sign-up, login, class access, playback controls) are usable with mainstream screen readers, but there may be rough edges.
  • Full localisation (language support) – at launch, the platform is primarily in English.

Where we identify specific high-impact issues (e.g. login not usable with a screen reader, critical buttons not labelled), we will treat those as bugs, not “nice-to-have improvements”.

6.  REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS AND SUPPORT

If you experience barriers that stop you from using Newbold Connect, we want to know, and we will do what is reasonable and proportionate to help.

Examples of possible adjustments:

  • Providing a transcript or text summary where only video is currently available.
  • Supplying class materials in an alternative format (e.g. Word instead of only PDF) where feasible.
  • Suggesting alternative ways to engage with reflection exercises if standard formats are difficult for you.
  • Adjusting participation expectations for CPD-type activities, within the limits of accreditation requirements.

We cannot promise to do everything for everyone, but we can promise to look at requests seriously and give a clear, honest answer.

How to request help or an adjustment:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Please include:
    • Your name and the email address linked to your account
    • The class/lesson or page you’re trying to access
    • The nature of the difficulty (e.g. screen reader issues, captions missing, cognitive overload, etc.)
    • Any adjustments that you know would help

We will:

  • Acknowledge your request within 5 working days; and
  • Aim to propose a way forward within 20 working days, sooner if it’s a simple fix.

7.   WORKING WITH PARTNERS AND CPD PROVIDERS

For institutional access and CPD arrangements (e.g. conferences, unions, churches):

  • We expect partner organisations to understand that some learners may require adjustments to use Newbold Connect effectively.
  • We can provide generic guidance on how our platform works and what we can realistically support.
  • For accredited or CPD programmes, any accessibility-related flex must still respect the core requirements agreed with accrediting or employing bodies, but there is normally more flexibility than people assume.

If you are an organisational contact and want to discuss accessibility for a group, contact us at [email protected].

8.   FEEDBACK ON ACCESSIBILITY

If you have suggestions for improving accessibility or inclusion, we want to hear them. We can’t fix what we don’t know about.

You can:

  • Email us at [email protected] with the subject line “Accessibility feedback – Newbold Connect”.
  • Raise accessibility points via the general feedback/complaints channel if that’s easier for you.

We review accessibility feedback periodically and feed it into:

  • Platform configuration and design choices
  • Instructor guidance and class design reviews
  • Our production standards for video and resources

9.  MONITORING AND REVIEW

Accessibility for Newbold Connect is not a one-off project; it’s an ongoing responsibility.

We will:

  • Review this statement at least once a year, or sooner if there are material changes to:
    • The Kajabi platform and its accessibility capabilities
    • Our own branding and design system
    • Relevant accessibility regulations or guidance
  • Track recurring accessibility issues in our internal risk and quality processes, alongside safeguarding, data protection, and financial performance.

Revisions to this statement will be published on the Platform with an updated “Last updated” date.

10.       CONTACT

If you have questions about this Accessibility & Inclusion Statement, or want to discuss specific needs, please contact:

Newbold College of Higher Education

St Mark’s Road

Binfield, Berkshire

RG42 4AN

United Kingdom

Email (accessibility/support): [email protected]

Email (general support): [email protected]