Online Services
Web Standards: Exemption Request Form
Version 1.0
Last updated August 2012
This form is periodically updated so please ensure you have the latest version. If unsure,
email the Digital Engagement team: communications-online-services@open.ac.uk
Please complete the following information:
Date:
Name:
Division/Team:
Department/Unit:
The Open University
Online services
August 2012
1
Why and how must you apply for an exemption?
1.1
Standards and guidelines are defined by working groups of representatives across the
University and approved by the Digital Engagement team and the Directors of
Communications and LTS, and the Chief Information Officer.
1.2
You are expected to adhere to all standards and guidelines and to be conversant with
current standards and guidelines, which can be found at:
http://www8.open.ac.uk/about/web-standards
1.3
There is therefore an expectation from students, external suppliers and the general public
that the OU complies with these standards and guidelines.
1.4
If you are in any doubt about the interpretation of a standard, please consult the working
group responsible for the standard. You can find their contact details on the web standards
site at http://www8.open.ac.uk/about/web-standards/governance/working-groups
1.5
You apply for an exception by completing and returning this form to the Digital Engagement
team in the Communications Unit at the following email address: communications-onlineservices@open.ac.uk.
1.6
The team will liaise with the working group responsible for the standard to assess whether it
should be accepted or rejected.
2
Justifying your application for exemption
2.1
The burden of proof is upon the applicant, whose application can be supported only by
submitted written evidence. Details that you fail to submit can however be used to decline
an application.
2.2
Exemptions from standards require a thorough, rational justification.
2.3
You might argue:
2.3.1
that a standard conflicts with your editorial proposition; that is, you cannot achieve
what you want for your audience without breaking a standard.
2.3.2
that what you propose to do, does not undermine the purpose or intent of the
standard.
2.3.3
that a standard is wrong, inadequate, or out of date. If so, what should the standard
be, and why?
2.4
It is not enough to want an exemption for the sake of using a new technology, or to avoid
supporting certain technologies. In all cases, you must therefore support your application
with good reasons, making a clear case for an exemption.
3
Decisions regarding exemptions
3.1
The working group and DE team undertakes to make a decision on your application within 5
working days.
3.2
If you are not satisfied with the group and DE team’s decision you can submit an appeal to
the Digital Standards Sign-Off Group.
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The Open University
4
Online services
August 2012
Your application
Please provide the following (minimum) information to support your application for exemption.
1. State the standard(s) from which you require an exemption and cite the specific
clause(s) or paragraph(s) from the standard.
[insert information here]
2. State the name, URL (if available) and editorial proposition 1 of the project requiring an
exemption.
[insert information here]
3. State your reasons for requiring an exemption, specifically explaining how the
exemption will allow an improved user experience and support the editorial proposition,
supporting your argument with evidence.
[insert information here]
1
This is the main purpose of the site; that is, what it is aiming to do and what information it is aiming to convey,
regardless of how that is achieved.
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Online services
The Open University
August 2012
4. State all the issues resulting from non-compliance, particularly any issues relating to
accessibility and data protection, explaining how you intend to deal with and manage
these issues.
[insert information here]
Document control
Version
Date
Author
Comment
0.1
26/07/12
Victoria Jolliffe
First draft
Page: 4