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Children's Literature Comprehensive Database

Summary

Accessiblü conducted a high-level accessibility evaluation of the Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD) from the University of Washington to assess its usability for individuals with disabilities. The review was conducted using the JAWS and NVDA screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, and manual inspection for conformance to select WCAG 2.2 AA success criteria.

Key Findings

The CLCD platform demonstrates a mixed accessibility profile with several positive features alongside areas requiring improvement. The platform includes helpful features such as a "Skip to main content" link and generally consistent navigation patterns. However, our testing revealed issues with form control labeling, color contrast in certain interface elements, and keyboard navigation challenges that could impact users relying on assistive technologies.

The good news is that the core functionality of searching and browsing the database remains largely accessible, with most critical features being operable via keyboard. The platform's clear heading structure and logical content organization support screen reader navigation. Addressing the identified issues would significantly enhance the experience for users with disabilities, ensuring equitable access to this valuable educational resource.

Top 3 Issues

  1.  Insufficient Form Input Labels and Instructions

    • Brief description: Several form controls lack proper labels or have ambiguous labeling, particularly in the advanced search filters.
    • Impact: Screen reader users and users with cognitive disabilities struggle to understand the purpose of form fields.
    • WCAG Success Criteria: 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (A), 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (A)

  2. Low Color Contrast in Interactive Elements

    • Brief description: The yellow "My CLCD" button and several link colors do not meet minimum contrast ratios against their backgrounds.
    • Impact: Users with low vision or color vision deficiencies have difficulty reading text and identifying interactive elements.
    • WCAG Success Criteria: 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (AA)

  3. Missing Keyboard Focus Indicators

    • Brief description: Some interactive elements, particularly custom dropdown menus and sliders, lack visible focus indicators during keyboard navigation.
    • Impact: Keyboard-only users cannot determine their current position when navigating through the interface.
    • WCAG Success Criteria: 2.4.7 Focus Visible (AA)

 

Disabilities Impacted

Blind and Low-Vision Users

  • Issues: Missing or inadequate form labels, inconsistent heading hierarchy in search results, images without meaningful alternative text, and low contrast text.
  • Impact: Screen reader users encounter difficulties understanding form purposes and navigating search results efficiently. The platform's core search functionality remains usable but requires extra effort to complete tasks.

Users with Motor Disabilities

  • Issues: Small click targets for some interactive elements, missing keyboard shortcuts for common actions, and difficulty accessing certain dropdown menus via keyboard alone.
  • Impact: Keyboard-only users can access most functionality but experience reduced efficiency. Some advanced filtering options require mouse interaction for optimal use.

Neurodiverse Users

  • Issues: Complex search interface without clear instructions, inconsistent interaction patterns between different search modes, and lack of error prevention messages.
  • Impact: Users with cognitive disabilities may find the multiple search options overwhelming without adequate guidance. The absence of confirmation messages for actions could lead to uncertainty about task completion.