508/WCAG Compliance - findings & a question
Mar 02, 2020
Hi Admins,
My company has been been doing extensive accessibility testing of Rise for 508/WCAG compliance with a specialist. We've found that Rise is inherently compliant at the A and AA level except for a few blocks (do not use flash cards blocks) and some blocks are difficult for screen readers to use, but the instructions are available so they are compliant (but we tend to avoid then, like carousels).
At the AAA level, there is only one issue with Rise -- 1.4.8 "Various visual presentation enhancements including selectable colors, no justified text."(Meaning users can change the color scheme in Rise on their own as an option.)
Question: Is there a plan to allow for the type of functionality related to 1.4.8?
Based on our research, all other issues related to 508/WCAG compliance require instructional design attention to content/text/graphics/video inputs, color choices, adding keyboard/screen reader instructions to the Rise, and a site map.
Another question: We'd like to link to the Articulate page for screenreader/keyboard instructions and direct people there when they enter one of our Rise courses. Will you being keeping that link stable so we can use it over the long term?
We are working on a Rise compliance spreadsheet and a Rise Block usage guide that we're happy to share when it's finalized (sometime in April 2020).
Thanks, Jen
13 Replies
Hello, Jen! Thanks for bringing up this important topic.
While we can't share more specifics on timing and the order of features yet, our end goal is to get Rise 360 output WCAG 2.1 compliant by the end of 2020.
To help us get it right, we've hired Deque, a leader in digital accessibility, to perform a 3rd party audit for Rise 360 so we have an accurate and comprehensive list of items to tackle. We've also dedicated developers to own accessibility on Rise 360 long term.
While screen readers are supported yet, we do plan to maintain this link for instructions on keyboard-accessible navigation.
Let me know if that answers your questions!
Hi Jen :)
Are you able to share your spreadsheet and usage guide yet? We're just ramping up and could really use this information especially as it relates to Rise.
I have a couple of questions about the current state of 508 compliance, which will impact whether we use Rise (preferred) or Storyline for a set of courses.
1. If a course is developed now in Rise, will current Rise courses be compliant once the program is fully complaint? Or will they need to be redone?
2. Can matching and card sorting blocks be 508 compliant?
3. Any updates on when screenreader (JAWS) compliance will be achieved?
Any updates you could provide would be most helpful. We are in a bit of a pinch and would appreciate using Rise to get something done quickly, but don't want to start and then find we have to re-do in Storyline.
Thank you!
We should have something to share in the next couple of weeks. We've found Rise to be compliant except for a few options. Most compliance issues related to the content we add to the Rise module.
Do not use: flashcards/sorting blocks - no way to make compliant that we can see
Difficult for keyboard use but compliant: matching quiz questions
Contrast issues: line chart, bar chart (could run it through a checker)
Hope this is helpful! Jen
Any follow-up on compliance of currently developed courses?
Thanks!
The admins will have to answer that. Our review is based on Rise as it is now. :-)
Hello, Karen!
Rise 360 isn't fully accessible yet. So far, we’ve increased the contrast for built-in course features, added alt text for images, added keyboard-accessible navigation, and closed captioning for videos. We’re currently working on full screen reader support as well. Stay tuned!
Will current courses be fully accessible once the screen-reader capability is in place? Or will they need to be re-developed?
Hi Karen!
We don't have all the specifics on screen reader support yet or how it will affect courses you've already published. Once we know more, we'll pass the information along to you!
Hello, is there an update on Rise accessibility particularly for screen readers?
Hi Linda! Rise 360 doesn't support screen readers yet, but we're working on it! We'll let you know when that feature is ready. 😁
Is there an update on WCAG AA accessibility yet?
Thanks for checking in, Urchin! While Rise 360 isn't WCAG 2.1 compliant yet, we're working hard to reach that goal!
We put together a journal where you can find all the details on the features we’ve enhanced in Rise 360 as we work towards WCAG 2.1 compliance. And we’ll keep this journal updated as we continue our accessibility journey.
Click it out here ➡️ Rise 360: Our Accessibility Journey
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