Forum Discussion
Turn the default "zoom image on click" off for accessibility
I just attended an NVDA training and was fortunate to be able to have part of a RISE course of mine tested. I had an image that I left the alt text as blank (to mark as decorative) but through the test even though the image was decorative, I had left the zoom image on click check box turned on (defaults on) not realizing a screen reader will still read this because it is an interactive element, even though the image itself is decorative.
I struggle with this logic, however, on this note, could Articulate uncheck the zoom image on click as the default setting? This way if you actually want your learners to have the option to zoom you have to consciously think about adding it. Where as most times the zoom is not necessary and vey confusing if a designer forgets and the person using the screen reader gets the frustration.
I am hoping this may be a "quick win" for Articulate to aid us on being more aware of accessibility needs. I am sure many of us have a decorative image with the zoom on.
Thanks for reading
Teresa
4 Replies
Hello TeresaVanderpos,
Thanks so much for sharing what you found during your NVDA testing! You’ve highlighted an important accessibility detail.
You’re right that when “Zoom image on click” is on, it adds interactivity that screen readers will pick up, even for decorative images. I’ve shared your suggestion with our product team to consider having that option turned off by default.
Really appreciate you bringing this up and helping make Rise even more accessible.
Hello TeresaVanderpos,
Thanks so much for sharing what you found during your NVDA testing! You’ve highlighted an important accessibility detail.
You’re right that when “Zoom image on click” is on, it adds interactivity that screen readers will pick up, even for decorative images. I’ve shared your suggestion with our product team to consider having that option turned off by default.
Really appreciate you bringing this up and helping make Rise even more accessible.
Hi Eric
This has been an issue for many years now and really should be addressed as a matter of urgency. Articulate are making great leaps and bounds in the accessibility space and it seems so logical to have this done.
My biggest problem is those blocks where the ability to turn off the zoom function is still not available. I am referring to the Quiz (Check your understanding) questions that have images in them. The zoom function cannot be turned off.
Can we please get this simple fix done as I would think that if the default setting for all of the images is 'zoom off' that this would solve the problem.
However, I think the real solution would be to provide the option to turn off the zoom function (as was done for Timeline blocks), and that way we don't disadvantage those that do require the zoom function to be on and are willing to provide alt text for affected images.
Really looking forward to a speedy response and action, please.best regards
Sandi Fardoulis
Thanks so much for sharing this, SandiFardoulis. I really appreciate you adding your experience here, especially around the impact this has on screen reader users.
You’re right that having “Zoom image on click” turned on by default can create unnecessary interaction for decorative images, and it would be helpful to make that default more accessible.
I’ve passed this feedback along to our product team, both for updating the default zoom behavior and for adding an option to turn zoom off in blocks that don’t currently support it, like the "Check Your Understanding" question types.
We’ll let you know here if we have any updates to share.
