Digication Accessibility Update - December 06, 2023

Dear Digication Community,

As a leading provider of ePortfolio and Assessment solutions, we consider it our utmost responsibility to ensure that no users are excluded.  For this reason, we are committed to providing a product that is fully accessible to all users. We consider this an ongoing process, requiring constant evaluation, feedback, and improvement. An important aspect of this process is clearly documenting and communicating to our community the various accessibility measures we have taken.

To do so, we maintain a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT), which provides a thorough record of the measures we have taken to ensure that our product is accessible to those with disabilities. We are happy to let you know that, we are publishing an updated version of our VPAT which applies to both Kora and Classic:

• Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) for Kora
• Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) for Classic

We rely on the Revised 508 Standards for IT accessibility and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, as our standard for accessibility.

While this updated version, compliant with WCAG 2.1 (an upgrade from WCAG 2.0), shares many similarities with our previous VPAT (which can be viewed here), there are some key differences.

Accessibility additions to the latest VPAT for WCAG 2.1

Here's the list of additions done in the latest VPAT for WCAG 2.1

1.3.4 Orientation(Level AA): Content does not restrict its view and operation to a single display orientation, such as portrait or landscape unless a specific display orientation is essential.

Digication now displays content in your preferred orientation - portrait or landscape

1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose (Level AA): The purpose of each input field collecting information about the user can be programmatically determined.

Input fields in Digication now have programmatically determined purposes for user information.

1.4.10 Reflow (Level AA): Content can be presented without loss of information or functionality, and without requiring scrolling in two dimensions for:

• Vertical scrolling content at a width equivalent to 320 CSS pixels;
• Horizontal scrolling content at a height equivalent to 256 CSS pixels.

Seamless scrolling is now ensured at 320px width or 256px height, with minor exceptions for assignments and activities, portfolio menu, and library.

1.4.11 Non-text Contrast(Level AA)
Our interface maintains a 3:1 contrast for accessibility.

1.4.12 Text Spacing(Level AA)
No loss of functionality when adhering to text style guidelines. Users can style their content, so ensure accessibility by choosing appropriate text styles.

1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus(Level AA)
Hover or focus content is now user-dismissible, hoverable, and persistent.

2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts (Level A): If a keyboard shortcut is implemented in content using only letters (including upper- and lower-case letters), punctuation, numbers, or symbol characters, then at least one of the following is true:

• Turn off - A mechanism is available to turn the shortcut off;
• Remap - A mechanism is available to remap the shortcut to include one or more non-printable keyboard keys (e.g., Ctrl, Alt);
• Active only on focus - The keyboard shortcut for a user interface component is only active when that component has focus.

Keyboard shortcuts are not implemented in content using letters, punctuation, numbers, or symbols.

2.5.1 Pointer Gestures(Level A): All functionality that uses multipoint or path-based gestures for operation can be operated with a single pointer without a path-based gesture unless a multipoint or path-based gesture is essential.

Digication now supports single-pointer operation for path-based gestures.

2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation (Level A): For functionality that can be operated using a single pointer, at least one of the following is true:

• No Down-Event: The down-event of the pointer is not used to execute any part of the function;
• Abort or Undo: Completion of the function is on the up-event, and a mechanism is available to abort the function before completion or to undo the function after completion;
• Up Reversal: The up-event reverses any outcome of the preceding down-event;
• Essential: Completing the function on the down-event is essential.

Click actions can now be canceled by moving your cursor away before completing the click.

2.5.3 Label in Name(Level A): For user interface components with labels that include text or images of text, the name contains the text that is presented visually.

Interface elements with text labels now have names that match the visually presented text.

2.5.4 Motion Actuation(Level A): Functionality that can be operated by device motion or user motion can also be operated by user interface components and responding to the motion can be disabled to prevent accidental actuation, except when:

• Supported Interface: The motion is used to operate functionality through an accessibility-supported interface;
• Essential: The motion is essential for the function and doing so would invalidate the activity.

Digication now ensures no functionality relies on device or user motion.

4.1.3 Status Messages(Level AA): In content implemented using markup languages, status messages can be programmatically determined through roles or properties such that they can be presented to the user by assistive technologies without receiving focus.

Status messages are now announced through ARIA-compatible alerts.

Accessibility improvements to the latest VPAT for WCAG 2.1

Each criterion that has been updated is listed below.

1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)(Level A)

• All Digication-provided audio or video content is captioned. Also, users have the flexibility to upload their audio-only/video-only/multimedia with the option to add closed captioning.
• This status was updated from “does not support” to “supports.”

1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded)(Level AA)

• Digication now supports audio descriptions for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media. Users can upload videos with closed captioning and audio descriptions. It's the responsibility of ePortfolio users to provide audio descriptions for their uploaded videos, enhancing the accessibility of user-generated content.
• This status was updated from “does not support” to “supports.”

1.4.1 Use of Color(Level A)

• Color is no longer the sole visual means of conveying information within Digication ePortfolios. We've implemented text alongside color to ensure information is accessible to all users.
• This status was updated from “does not support” to “supports.”

2.1.1 Keyboard(Level A)

• All functionality within Digication ePortfolios is now operable through a keyboard interface, with no specific timings for individual keystrokes required. Users can perform actions such as resizing modules and organizing pages and modules using keyboard commands.
• This status was updated from “does not support” to “supports.”

2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap(Level A)

• Digication ensures that keyboard focus can be moved to and from every component using a keyboard interface. While we support easy keyboard navigation for our interactive elements, please note that 3rd party content embedded within Digication may vary in keyboard accessibility.
• This status was updated from “does not support” to “supports.”

2.4.6 Headings and Labels(Level AA)

• Digication screens and pages are now appropriately labeled with headings and descriptions. Users can label and add consistent headings to user-generated ePortfolio pages, taking control of their content's accessibility.
• This status was updated from “does not support” to “supports.”

2.4.7 Focus Visible(Level AA)

• An on-screen focus indicator is now visible whenever any Digication user interface elements are in focus, ensuring a clear and accessible navigation experience.
• This status was updated from “does not support” to “supports.”

3.1.2 Language of Parts(Level AA)

• While the human language determination feature is available for text-based modules, allowing users to set the language for a part of the text, please note that this feature is not currently available for non-text-based modules.
• This status was updated from “does not support” to “supports with exceptions”

Section 1194.21 part (a) 

• All Digication features are now accessible via keyboard.
• This subsection's status was updated from “supports with exceptions" to "supports”

Section 1194.21 part (k) 

• Digication ePortfolios won't cause screen flicker. Users can upload multimedia, so keep in mind it may contain flickering elements.
• This subsection's status was updated from “supports with exceptions" to "supports”

Section 1194.21 part (l) 

• Digication forms are designed for easy access with assistive technology, ensuring a seamless experience for completion and submission
• This subsection's status was updated from “supports with exceptions" to "supports”

Section 1194.22 part (h) 

• Currently, multiple headers in data tables are not supported.
• This subsection's status was updated from “supports with exceptions" to "N/A”

Section 1194.22 part (n) 

• Digication's online forms are built for accessibility, ensuring a smooth experience with assistive technology.
• This subsection's status was updated from “supports with exceptions" to "supports”

Section 1194.31 part (a) 

• Digication supports screen readers like JAWS, VoiceOver, and NVDA, ensuring accessibility for users with visual impairments.
• This subsection's status was updated from “supports with exceptions" to "supports”

Section 1194.31 part  (f) 

• Digication features are designed for easy operation, requiring no fine motor skills.
• This subsection's status was updated from “supports with exceptions" to "supports”
  

We would like to thank everyone who has helped us identify the accessibility improvements we have implemented and continue to work towards. If you have questions or feedback, as always, we encourage you to reach out to our team at support@digication.com.

Kind regards,

Your friends at Digication