This document has details about Alchemer's accessibility compliance as well as a link to our Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT). If you're looking to learn more about building accessible surveys check out our Accessibility Best Practice Guide.
Understanding Accessibility
Section 508
Section 508 is an amendment to the Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that requires software, hardware, and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities. As of January 2018, the 508 guidelines are the same as WCAG guidelines. To learn more about Section 508, please visit: http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/index.html
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
Produced by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the WCAG are guidelines for making your website useful to all users. As of January 2018, the 508 guidelines are the same as WCAG guidelines. Learn more about Alchemer's compliance with the WCAG guidelines.
How accessible is Alchemer?
Alchemer provides you with all the tools to create 508 and WCAG compliant surveys. Learn more about how to build accessible surveys.
Note: At this time, only our surveys are accessible. The Alchemer application where you build your surveys has not been updated for accessibility.
When Should I Consider Accessibility?
If you're planning on sharing your survey with respondents that have disabilities, you'll definitely want to follow accessibility best practices. If you're planning on sending out to a large group of people and thus are not sure of respondents' abilities, we recommend following our guidelines as well as WCAG guidelines.
Alchemer Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)
Alchemer WCAG 2.0 Guideline Checklist
The below grid breaks down Alchemer's compatibility with the WCAG 2.0 Standards for Web Accessibility as outlined here:
http://webaim.org/standards/wcag/checklist
Please note that while Alchemer meets a majority of the recommendations by default, a large portion of the recommendations relies on you as the user/survey creator to design your survey with them in mind (e.g. adding text/instructional elements where appropriate and using video content with captions, etc.).
If the recommendation can be met with the assistance of a specific Alchemer feature, we provide a link to this feature under the User Controlled column.
See full checklist of met and outstanding guidelines
Perceivable
Web content is made available to the senses - sight, hearing, and/or touch.
Guideline 1.1
Text Alternatives: Provide text alternatives for any non-text content
| 1.1.1 Non-text Content (Level A) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| All images, form image buttons, and image map hot spots have appropriate, equivalent alternative text. | | |||||
| Images that do not convey content, are decorative, or with content that is already conveyed in text are given null alt text (alt="") or implemented as CSS backgrounds. All linked images have descriptive alternative text. | | |||||
| Equivalent alternatives to complex images are provided in context or on a separate (linked and/or referenced via longdesc) page. | Add Text Element | |||||
| Form buttons have a descriptive value. | | |||||
| Form inputs have associated text labels. | | |||||
| Embedded multimedia is identified via accessible text. | | |||||
| Frames are appropriately titled. | | |||||
Guideline 1.2
Time-based Media: Provide alternatives for time-based media.
| 1.2.1 Prerecorded Audio-only and Video-only (Level A) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| A descriptive text transcript (including all relevant visual and auditory clues and indicators) is provided for non-live, web-based audio (audio podcasts, MP3 files, etc.). | Add Text Element | |||||
| A text or audio description is provided for non-live, web-based video-only (e.g., video that has no audio track). | Add Text Element | |||||
| 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) (Level A) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Synchronized captions are provided for non-live, web-based video (YouTube videos, etc.) | Add Text Element | |||||
| 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) (Level A) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| A descriptive text transcript OR audio description audio track is provided for non-live, web-based video | Add Text Element | |||||
| 1.2.4 Captions (Live) (Level AA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Synchronized captions are provided for all live multimedia that contains audio (audio-only broadcasts, web casts, video conferences, Flash animations, etc.) | | |||||
| 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) (Level AA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Audio descriptions are provided for all video contentNOTE: Only required if the video conveys content visually that is not available in the default audio track. | Add Text Element | |||||
| 1.2.6 Sign Language (Prerecorded) (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| A sign language video is provided for all media content that contains audio. | Add Video Element | |||||
| 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded) (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| When an audio description track cannot be added to video due to audio timing (e.g., no pauses in the audio), an alternative version of the video with pauses that allow audio descriptions is provided. | Add Video Element | |||||
| 1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded) (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| A descriptive text transcript is provided for all pre-recorded media that has a video track. | Add Text Element | |||||
| 1.2.9 Audio-only (Live) (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| A descriptive text transcript (e.g., the script of the live audio) is provided for all live content that has audio. | Add Text Element | |||||
Guideline 1.3
Adaptable: Create content that can be presented in different ways (e.g., simpler layout) without losing information or structure.
| 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Semantic markup is used to designate headings (<h1>), lists (<ul>, <ol>, and <dl>), emphasized or special text (<strong>, <code>, <abbr>, <blockquote>, for example), etc. Semantic markup is used appropriately. | | |||||
| Tables are used for tabular data. Headings, where necessary, are used to associate data cells with headers. Data table captions and summaries are used where appropriate. | | |||||
| Text labels are associated with form input elements. Related form elements are grouped with fieldset/legend. | | |||||
| 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence (Level A) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| The reading and navigation order (determined by code order) is logical and intuitive. | | |||||
| 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics (Level A) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Instructions do not rely upon shape, size, or visual location (e.g., "Click the square icon to continue" or "Instructions are in the right-hand column"). | | |||||
| Instructions do not rely upon sound (e.g., "A beeping sound indicates you may continue."). | | |||||
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 (Level A) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Color is not used as the sole method of conveying content or distinguishing visual elements. | | |||||
Color alone is not used to distinguish links from surrounding text unless the luminance contrast between the link and the surrounding text is at least 3:1 and an additional differentiation (e.g., it becomes underlined) is provided when the link is hovered over or receives focus. | | |||||
| 1.4.2 Audio Control (Level A) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| A mechanism is provided to stop, pause, mute, or adjust volume for audio that automatically plays on a page for more than 3 seconds. | | |||||
| 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Text and images of text have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. | Style Your Survey | |||||
| Large text - at least 18 point (typically 24px) or 14 point (typically 18.66px) bold has a contrast ratio of at least 3:1. | Style Your Survey | |||||
| 1.4.4 Resize Text (Level AA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| The page is readable and functional when the text size is doubled. | | |||||
| 1.4.5 Images of Text (Level AA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| If the same visual presentation can be made using text alone, an image is not used to present that text. | Add Text Element | |||||
| 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
Text and images of text have a contrast ratio of at least 7:1. | Default Alchemer Theme | |||||
Large text - at least 18 point (typically 24px) or 14 point (typically 18.66px) bold has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. | Style Your Survey | |||||
| 1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Audio of speech has no or very low background noise so the speech is easily distinguished. | Add Audio Element | |||||
| 1.4.8 Visual Presentation (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Blocks of text over one sentence in length: Are no more than 80 characters wide. | | |||||
| Blocks of text over one sentence in length: Are NOT fully justified (aligned to both the left and the right margins). | | |||||
| Blocks of text over one sentence in length: Have adequate line spacing (at least 1/2 the height of the text) and paragraph spacing (1.5 times line spacing). | | |||||
| Blocks of text over one sentence in length: Have a specified foreground and background color. These can be applied to specific elements or to the page as a whole using CSS (and thus inherited by all other elements). | Style Your Survey | |||||
| Blocks of text over one sentence in length: Do NOT require horizontal scrolling when the text size is doubled. | | |||||
| 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception) (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Text is used within an image only for decoration (image does not convey content) OR when the information cannot be presented with text alone. | Add Image Element | |||||
Operable
Interface forms, controls, and navigation are operable.
Guideline 2.1
Keyboard Accessible: Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
| 2.1.1 Keyboard (Level A) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| All page functionality is available using the keyboard, unless the functionality cannot be accomplished in any known way using a keyboard (e.g., free hand drawing). | | |||||
| Page-specified shortcut keys and accesskeys (accesskey should typically be avoided) do not conflict with existing browser and screen reader shortcuts. | | |||||
| 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap (Level A) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Keyboard focus is never locked or trapped at one particular page element. The user can navigate to and from all navigable page elements. | | |||||
| 2.1.3 Keyboard (No Exception) (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| All page functionality is available using the keyboard. | | |||||
Guideline 2.2
Enough Time: Provide users enough time to read and use content.
| 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable (Level A) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| If a page or application has a time limit, the user is given options to turn off, adjust, or extend that time limit. This is not a requirement for real-time events (e.g., an auction), where the time limit is absolutely required, or if the time limit is longer than 20 hours. | Page Timer | |||||
| 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide (Level A) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Automatically moving, blinking, or scrolling content that lasts longer than 5 seconds can be paused, stopped, or hidden by the user. Moving, blinking, or scrolling can be used to draw attention to or highlight content as long as it lasts less than 5 seconds. | | |||||
| Automatically updating content (e.g., automatically redirecting or refreshing a page, a news ticker, AJAX updated field, a notification alert, etc.) can be paused, stopped, or hidden by the user or the user can manually control the timing of the updates. | | |||||
| 2.2.3 No Timing (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| The content and functionality has no time limits or constraints. | | |||||
| 2.2.4 Interruptions (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Interruptions (alerts, page updates, etc.) can be postponed or suppressed by the user. | | |||||
| 2.2.5 Re-authenticating (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| If an authentication session expires, the user can re-authenticate and continue the activity without losing any data from the current page. | | |||||
Guildeline 2.3
Seizures: Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures.
| 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold (Level A) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| No page content flashes more than 3 times per second unless that flashing content is sufficiently small and the flashes are of low contrast and do not contain too much red. | | |||||
| 2.3.2 Three Flashes or Below Threshold (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| No page content flashes more than 3 times per second. | | |||||
Guideline 2.4
Navigable: Provide ways to help users navigate, find content, and determine where they are.
| 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks (Level A) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| A link is provided to skip navigation and other page elements that are repeated across web pages. | | |||||
| If a page has a proper heading structure, this may be considered a sufficient technique instead of a "Skip to main content" link. Note that navigating by headings is not yet supported in all browsers. | | |||||
| If a page uses frames and the frames are appropriately titled, this is a sufficient technique for bypassing individual frames. | NA | |||||
| 2.4.2 Page Titled (Level A) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| The web page has a descriptive and informative page title. | Survey Title | |||||
| 2.4.3 Focus Order (Level A) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| The navigation order of links, form elements, etc. is logical and intuitive. | | |||||
| 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) (Level A) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| The purpose of each link (or form image button or image map hotspot) can be determined from the link text alone, or from the link text and its context (e.g., surrounding paragraph, list item, table cell, or table headers). | | |||||
| Links (or form image buttons) with the same text that go to different locations are readily distinguishable. | | |||||
| 2.4.5 Multiple Ways (Level AA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Multiple ways are available to find other web pages on the site - at least two of: a list of related pages, table of contents, site map, site search, or list of all available web pages. | | |||||
| 2.4.6 Headings and Labels (Level AA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Page headings and labels for form and interactive controls are informative. Avoid duplicating heading (e.g., "More Details") or label text (e.g., "First Name") unless the structure provides adequate differentiation between them. | | |||||
| 2.4.7 Focus Visible (Level AA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| It is visually apparent which page element has the current keyboard focus (i.e., as you tab through the page, you can see where you are). | | |||||
| 2.4.8 Location (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| If a web page is part of a sequence of pages or within a complex site structure, an indication of the current page location is provided, for example, through breadcrumbs or specifying the current step in a sequence (e.g., "Step 2 of 5 - Shipping Address"). | | |||||
| 2.4.9 Link Purpose (Link Only) (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| The purpose of each link (or form image button or image map hotspot) can be determined from the link text alone. | | |||||
| There are no links (or form image buttons) with the same text that go to different locations. | | |||||
| 2.4.10 Section Headings (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Beyond providing an overall document structure, individual sections of content are designated using headings, where appropriate. | Page Titles | |||||
Understandable
Content and interface are understandable.
Guideline 3.1
Readable: Make text content readable and understandable
| 3.1.1 Language of Page (Level A) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| The language of the page is identified using the HTML lang attribute (<html lang="en">, for example). | | |||||
| 3.1.2 Language of Parts (Level AA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| When appropriate, the language of sections of content that are a different language are identified, for example, by using the lang attribute (<blockquote lang="es">) | | |||||
| 3.1.3 Unusual Words (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Words that may be ambiguous, unknown, or used in a very specific way are defined through adjacent text, a definition list, a glossary, or other suitable method. | | |||||
| 3.1.4 Abbreviations (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Expansions for abbreviations are provided by expanding or explaining the definition the first time it is used, using the <abbr> element, or linking to a definition or glossary. NOTE: WCAG 2.0 gives no exception for regularly understood abbreviations (e.g., "HTML" on a web design site must always be expanded). | | |||||
| 3.1.5 Reading Level (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| A more understandable alternative is provided for content that is more advanced than can be reasonably read by a person with roughly 9 years of primary education. | | |||||
| 3.1.6 Pronunciation (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| If the pronunciation of a word is vital to understanding that word, its pronunciation is provided immediately following the word or via a link or glossary. | | |||||
Guideline 3.2
Predictable: Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.
| 3.2.1 On Focus (Level A) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| When a page element receives focus, it does not result in a substantial change to the page, the spawning of a pop-up window, an additional change of keyboard focus, or any other change that could confuse or disorient the user. | | |||||
| 3.2.2 On Input (Level A) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| When a user inputs information or interacts with a control, it does not result in a substantial change to the page, the spawning of a pop-up window, an additional change of keyboard focus, or any other change that could confuse or disorient the user unless the user is informed of the change ahead of time. | | |||||
| 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation (Level AA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Navigation links that are repeated on web pages do not change order when navigating through the site. | | |||||
| 3.2.4 Consistent Identification (Level AA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Elements that have the same functionality across multiple web pages are consistently identified. For example, a search box at the top of the site should always be labeled the same way. | | |||||
| 3.2.5 Change on Request (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Substantial changes to the page, the spawning of pop-up windows, uncontrolled changes of keyboard focus, or any other change that could confuse or disorient the user must be initiated by the user. Alternatively, the user is provided an option to disable such changes. | | |||||
Guideline 3.3
Input Assistance: Help users avoid and correct mistakes
| 3.3.1 Error Identification (Level A) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Required form elements or form elements that require a specific format, value, or length provide this information within the element's label. | | |||||
| If utilized, form validation cues and errors (client-side or server-side) alert users to errors in an efficient, intuitive, and accessible manner. The error is clearly identified, quick access to the problematic element is provided, and user is allowed to easily fix the error and resubmit the form. | | |||||
| 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (Level A) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Sufficient labels, cues, and instructions for required interactive elements are provided via instructions, examples, properly positioned form labels, and/or fieldsets/legends. | | |||||
| 3.3.3 Error Suggestion (Level AA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| If an input error is detected (via client-side or server-side validation), provide suggestions for fixing the input in a timely and accessible manner. | | |||||
| 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) (Level AA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| If the user can change or delete legal, financial, or test data, the changes/deletions are reversible, verified, or confirmed. | | |||||
| 3.3.5 Help (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Provide instructions and cues in context to help in form completion and submission. | | |||||
| 3.3.6 Error Prevention (All) (Level AAA) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| If the user can submit information, the submission is reversible, verified, or confirmed. | | |||||
Robust
Content can be used reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.
Guideline 4.1
Compatible: Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies.
| 4.1.1 Parsing (Level A) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Significant HTML/XHTML validation/parsing errors are avoided. | | |||||
| 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (Level A) | ||||||
| Recommendation | Available By Default | User Controlled | ||||
| Markup is used in a way that facilitates accessibility. This includes following the HTML/XHTML specifications and using forms, form labels, frame titles, etc. appropriately. | | |||||
Other Accessibility References
TAWS accessibility analyzer: http://www.tawdis.net/index.html?lang=en
Wave accessibility evaluation tool: (Firefox): http://wave.webaim.org/
Color contrast checker: http://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/
Validation tool: http://validator.w3.org/
