UCL Press achieves gold rated 100% ASPIRE score for accessibility statement

Posted on 3rd March, 2026

UCL Press has been awarded a gold rated 100% ASPIRE score for its accessibility statement, recognising the Press’s commitment to delivering the highest standard of accessible digital publishing.

The ASPIRE project is an industry wide initiative that evaluates the clarity, transparency and usability of accessibility information provided by scholarly publishers and content platforms. A 100% score is the project’s highest rating and reflects best practice in communicating accessibility support to readers, librarians and disability services teams.

Achieving the gold rating follows a sustained programme of work at UCL Press to improve the accessibility of its open access books and journals. This has included updating accessibility documentation, enhancing workflows for EPUB and PDF formats, and strengthening guidance for authors and editors on inclusive publishing.

Jaimee Biggins, Production Manager at UCL Press, welcomed the result and highlighted its value for the research community. She noted that a clear and comprehensive accessibility statement helps all readers understand how they can use and engage with content and demonstrates the Press’s commitment to meeting diverse needs.

The rating also reflects UCL’s institutional commitment to equitable access to knowledge. As the UK’s first fully open access university press, UCL Press aims to ensure that removing paywalls goes hand in hand with removing barriers created by format, technology or disability.