Voluntary Product Accessibility Template

ActiveClass' conformance with the accessibility standards under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (WCAG 2.0 AA Standards) [VPAT]

The following document outlines ActiveClass' compliance with accessibility standards and details the extent of the effort extended to accessibility on the tool. 

Guideline 1.1 Text Alternatives

1.1.1 Non-text Content

All non-text content that is presented to the user has a text alternative that serves the equivalent purpose, except for the situations listed below. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass ensures all elements generated by the tool have alt-text as well as aria labels to help screen readers navigate the website. This includes icons, images, forms, tables as well as other graphical components.

 

Guideline 1.2 Time-based Media: Provide alternatives for time-based media.

1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)

For prerecorded audio-only and prerecorded video-only media, the following are true, except when the audio or video is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such: (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: While ActiveClass doesn't create this content ourselves, we use Amazon Transcribe to help generate captions for created media. We also provide a number of tools via LTI to help instructors make accessible material on the tool.

1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) 

Captions are provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: While ActiveClass doesn't create this content ourselves, we use Amazon Transcribe to help generate captions for created media. We also provide a number of tools via LTI to help instructors make accessible material on the tool.

1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

An alternative for time-based media or audio description of the prerecorded video content is provided for synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: While ActiveClass doesn't create this content ourselves, we use Amazon Transcribe to help generate captions for created media. We also provide a number of tools via LTI to help instructors make accessible material on the tool.

1.2.4 Captions (Live)

Captions are provided for all live audio content in synchronized media. (Level AA)

Status: Supported
Description: While ActiveClass doesn't create this content ourselves, we use the youtube API to help generate captions for created media. In the case of live video being created through Google Hangouts, youtube automatically attempts to provide captions for these video's provided they are under 8 hours. 

1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded)

Audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media. (Level AA)

Status: Supported
Description: While ActiveClass doesn't create this content ourselves, we use the Amazon Transcribe to help generate captions for created media. We also provide a number of tools via LTI to help instructors make accessible material on the tool.

 

Guideline 1.3 Adaptable: Create content that can be presented in different ways (for example simpler layout) without losing information or structure.

1.3.1 Info and Relationships

Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation can be programmatically determined or are available in text. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass uses HTML markdown for all components in an effort to make them accessible. In the event where this is not sufficient, we also provide aria tags or supplemental text to provide greater context for the component and enable traversal between components. 

1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence

When the sequence in which content is presented affects its meaning, a correct reading sequence can be programmatically determined. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass works with a team of instructional designers to develop the layout of the tool. In the case of tables, graphs or lists, we also provide additional information and tags to enable better consumption of the module. 

1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics

Instructions provided for understanding and operating content do not rely solely on sensory characteristics of components such as shape, size, visual location, orientation, or sound. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: We attempt to avoid any components which rely on sensory characteristics, however when the user experience is best serviced by one of these elements we work to provide the component in an alternate form. 

 

Guideline 1.4 Distinguishable: Make it easier for users to see and hear content including separating foreground from background.

1.4.1 Use of Color

Color is not used as the only visual means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: When we use color to convey meaning, additional information is also provided via aria tags.

1.4.2 Audio Control

If any audio on a Web page plays automatically for more than 3 seconds, either a mechanism is available to pause or stop the audio, or a mechanism is available to control audio volume independently from the overall system volume level. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass does not autoplay any audio by default. Any created audio on the tool must be manually started by the controlling user. 

1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)

The visual presentation of text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1, except for the following: (Level AA)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass is compliant with the minimum contrast required and is in the process of designing a high-contrast mode for users who need it. ActiveClass does not allow for modification of CSS and thus we expect the tool to remain compliant with regard to contrast regardless of user activity. 

1.4.4 Resize text

Except for captions and images of text, text can be resized without assistive technology up to 200 percent without loss of content or functionality. (Level AA)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass content can be zoomed by the browser up to any size the browser or screen supports.

1.4.5 Images of Text

If the technologies being used can achieve the visual presentation, text is used to convey information rather than images of text except for the following: (Level AA)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass does not use images of text for any elements. Third-party applications may do this but it is not covered by our VPAT.

 

Guideline 2.1 Keyboard Accessible: Make all functionality available from a keyboard.

2.1.1 Keyboard

All functionality of the content is operable through a keyboard interface without requiring specific timings for individual keystrokes, except where the underlying function requires input that depends on the path of the user's movement and not just the endpoints. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass works diligently to ensure that the entire tool is accessible without the use of a mouse. We have designed tabbing paths specifically to aid traversal across the tool.

2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap

If keyboard focus can be moved to a component of the page using a keyboard interface, then focus can be moved away from that component using only a keyboard interface, and, if it requires more than unmodified arrow or tab keys or other standard exit methods, the user is advised of the method for moving focus away. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass works diligently to ensure that all elements can be entered and exited visa vi the use of a keyboard.

 

Guideline 2.2 Enough Time: Provide users enough time to read and use content.

2.2.1 Timing Adjustable

For each time limit that is set by the content, at least one of the following is true:
(Level A)

  • Turn off: The user is allowed to turn off the time limit before encountering it; or

  • Adjust: The user is allowed to adjust the time limit before encountering it over a wide range that is at least ten times the length of the default setting; or

  • Extend: The user is warned before time expires and given at least 20 seconds to extend the time limit with a simple action (for example, "press the space bar"), and the user is allowed to extend the time limit at least ten times; or

  • Real-time Exception: The time limit is a required part of a real-time event (for example, an auction), and no alternative to the time limit is possible; or

  • Essential Exception: The time limit is essential and extending it would invalidate the activity; or

  • 20 Hour Exception: The time limit is longer than 20 hours.

Status: Supported
Description: Timed activities, such as quizzes and assessments can have their deadlines adjusted by users like instructors who have access to edit the assessment. 

2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide

For moving, blinking, scrolling, or auto-updating information, all of the following are true (Level A)

  • Moving, blinking, scrolling: For any moving, blinking or scrolling information that (1) starts automatically, (2) lasts more than five seconds, and (3) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it unless the movement, blinking, or scrolling is part of an activity where it is essential; and

  • Auto-updating: For any auto-updating information that (1) starts automatically and (2) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it or to control the frequency of the update unless the auto-updating is part of an activity where it is essential.

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass has no areas which contain blinking, flashing or scrolling information of any kind. All areas which update automatically provide aria-live alerts.

 

Guideline 2.3 Seizures: Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures.

2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold

Web pages do not contain anything that flashes more than three times in any one second period, or the flash is below the general flash and red flash thresholds.
(Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass does not use flashing or blinking content.

 

Guideline 2.4 Navigable: Provide ways to help users navigate, find content, and determine where they are.

2.4.1 Bypass Blocks

A mechanism is available to bypass blocks of content that are repeated on multiple Web pages. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass offers "skip to content" links at the top of all pages and utilizes H<1-6> headings and ARIA landmarks to aid with navigation to desired content.

2.4.2 Page Titled

Web pages have titles that describe topic or purpose. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: The titles of all pages in ActiveClass have information relative to the purpose of the page.

2.4.3 Focus Order

If a Web page can be navigated sequentially and the navigation sequences affect meaning or operation, focusable components receive focus in an order that preserves meaning and operability. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass performs A/B testing for focus order to ensure the sequence is intuitive and easy to discover.

The purpose of each link can be determined from the link text alone or from the link text together with its programmatically determined link context, except where the purpose of the link would be ambiguous to users in general. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass strives to give all links a label that point to the link's purpose and its destination.

2.4.5 Multiple Ways

More than one way is available to locate a Web page within a set of Web pages except where the Web Page is the result of, or a step in, a process. (Level AA)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass offers breadcrumb-based navigation and URL formation to help users locate the screen or content they are seeking.

2.4.6 Headings and Labels

Headings and labels describe topic or purpose. (Level AA)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass strives to make all headings and labels purposeful, even if read out of context.

2.4.7 Focus Visible

Any keyboard operable user interface has a mode of operation where the keyboard focus indicator is visible. (Level AA)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass strives to ensure that the focus indicator is always visible and contrasts well with the surrounding content and background.

 

Guideline 3.1 Readable: Make text content readable and understandable.

3.1.1 Language of Page

The default human language of each Web page can be programmatically determined. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: The default language is set on the HTML tag of all pages in the tool. The language of the Tool can be set at the Administrative, Course, or User levels.

3.1.2 Language of Parts

The human language of each passage or phrase in the content can be programmatically determined except for proper names, technical terms, words of indeterminate language, and words or phrases that have become part of the vernacular of the immediately surrounding text. (Level AA)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass works with translators to ensure that all text in the User Interface is displayed in the default language of the page (see 3.1.1).

 

Guideline 3.2 Predictable: Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.

3.2.1 On Focus

When any component receives focus, it does not initiate a change of context. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass does not trigger context changes when items are focused.

3.2.2 On Input

Changing the setting of any user interface component does not automatically cause a change of context unless the user has been advised of the behavior before using the component. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass does not use changing input fields for initiating context changes.

3.2.3 Consistent Navigation

Navigational mechanisms that are repeated on multiple Web pages within a set of Web pages occur in the same relative order each time they are repeated unless a change is initiated by the user. (Level AA)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass offers consistent navigation across the tool.

3.2.4 Consistent Identification

Components that have the same functionality within a set of Web pages are identified consistently. (Level AA)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass strives to ensure that all controls with similar functionality work consistently across the tool.

 

Guideline 3.3 Input Assistance: Help users avoid and correct mistakes.

3.3.1 Error Identification

If an input error is automatically detected, the item that is in error is identified and the error is described to the user in text. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass uses automatic error focusing and ARIA live regions to inform users about detected input errors.

3.3.2 Labels or Instructions

Labels or instructions are provided when content requires user input. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass uses standard HTML and ARIA markup to associate a text label with all input fields, buttons, and links.

3.3.3 Error Suggestion

If an input error is automatically detected and suggestions for correction are known, then the suggestions are provided to the user, unless it would jeopardize the security or purpose of the content. (Level AA)

Status: Supported
Description: In all form input fields the tool uses javascript validation which allows us to provide the user with a variety of suggestions in an accessible manner for remedying the issue.

For Web pages that cause legal commitments or financial transactions for the user to occur, that modify or delete user-controllable data in data storage systems, or that submit user test responses, at least one of the following is true: (Level AA)

Status: Supported
Description: In all form input fields the tool uses javascript validation which allows us to provide the user with a variety of suggestions in an accessible manner for remedying the issue.

  1. Reversible: Submissions are reversible.

  2. Checked: Data entered by the user is checked for input errors and the user is provided an opportunity to correct them.

  3. Confirmed: A mechanism is available for reviewing, confirming, and correcting information before finalizing the submission.

Status: Supported
Description: Before performing irreversible or potentially serious actions, users are presented with a confirmation box, to ensure that they truly wish to perform the requested action.

 

Guideline 4.1 Compatible: Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies.

4.1.1 Parsing

In content implemented using markup languages, elements have complete start and end tags, elements are nested according to their specifications, elements do not contain duplicate attributes, and any IDs are unique, except where the specifications allow these features. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass strives to ensure that all markup is valid, and follows best practices whenever possible as detailed in the HTML spec. 

4.1.2 Name, Role, Value

For all user interface components (including but not limited to: form elements, links, and components generated by scripts), the name and role can be programmatically determined; states, properties, and values that can be set by the user can be programmatically set; and notification of changes to these items is available to user agents, including assistive technologies. (Level A)

Status: Supported
Description: ActiveClass strives to ensure that the name, role, and value of all user interface elements are available to assistive technologies via both HTML and ARIA.