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Duke University Press

Summary

Accessiblü conducted a high-level accessibility evaluation of the Duke University Press platform 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.

This evaluation offers a general assessment of the platform’s accessibility, focusing on navigation, searching, and content access using assistive technologies (AT). Testers were able to complete critical functions—such as finding content, searching, and navigating main sections—though they encountered usability challenges related to heading structure, menu behaviors, form labeling, and focus management.

While no critical, system-breaking barriers were discovered, various accessibility issues exist, which may diminish efficiency and overall usability for blind or low-vision users, keyboard-only users, and those using screen readers or other assistive technologies.

Top 3 Issues:

  1. Insufficiently Labeled Interactive Elements
    1. Impact: Screen reader and keyboard-only users often cannot discern the purpose of buttons or links that lack descriptive labels. This can significantly slow down navigation and may lead to missed functionality.
    2. WCAG Success Criteria: 1.1.1 (Non-text Content), 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value), 2.4.4 (Link Purpose).
  2. Improper Heading Structure and Landmark Regions
    1. Impact: Headings that are out of sequence or repeated at multiple levels confuse users who rely on heading navigation. Missing landmarks (especially the “main” region) also limit efficient keyboard or screen reader navigation.
    2. WCAG Success Criteria: 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships), 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels).
  3. Focus Management and Menu Behavior
    1. Impact: Opening menus and dialogs without sending keyboard focus inside or failing to return focus to a meaningful location when menus close. This may frustrate users and lead to possible “keyboard traps.” Inconsistent focus behavior after searches or filtering likewise disrupts workflow.
    2. WCAG Success Criteria: 2.4.3 (Focus Order), 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value).

Disabilities Impacted

Blind and Low-Vision Users

  • Issues: Ambiguous button labels, non-descriptive alt text, and missing landmarks.
  • Impact: It makes it difficult for screen reader users to understand content structure and perform tasks efficiently.

Users with Motor Disabilities

  • Issues: Inconsistent focus behavior and potential keyboard traps.
  • Impact: This can hinder the ability to navigate exclusively using a keyboard or alternative input devices.

Users with Cognitive Disabilities

  • Issues: Complex or unclear interface elements (e.g., mislabeled menus, inconsistent heading levels)
  • Impact: This can increase cognitive load and reduce ease of use.