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Manifold

Summary

Accessiblü conducted a high-level accessibility evaluation of the Manifold learning platform from the University of Minnesota 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. 

While several accessibility issues were identified that may create confusion or inefficiencies for users relying on assistive technologies, no critical barriers prevented our users from navigating the site, searching for a book, locating it, or accessing the text. However, these issues could still negatively impact usability, requiring unnecessary effort to complete specific tasks. Addressing these concerns will improve efficiency, usability, and overall accessibility.

Top 3 Issues:

  1. Inconsistent and Nested Banners
    1. Multiple banner elements are nested, creating redundancy in screen reader output.
    2. Impact: Screen reader users may experience difficulty navigating landmarks, causing confusion.
    3. WCAG Success Criteria: 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (A)
  2. Search Functionality Issues
    1. The search button remains expanded, filters apply upon focus instead of selection, and focus returns to the top of the page instead of to results.
    2. Impact: Users may lose track of where they are, unintentionally change filters, or struggle to access search results efficiently.
    3. WCAG Success Criteria: 2.4.3 Focus Order (A), 2.1.1 Keyboard (A), 3.2.1 On Focus (A)
  3. Improperly Labeled or Non-Interactive Elements
    1. Some buttons, such as “Execute Search” and “Sign In,” are labeled but do not function properly, and filter/sorting options appear as static text.
    2. Impact: Users relying on assistive technologies may believe elements are interactive when they are not, leading to wasted effort and confusion.
    3. WCAG Success Criteria: 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (A), 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (A) 

Disabilities Impacted: 

Blind and Low-Vision Users 

  • Issues: Unclear page structure, missing alternative text, and improper focus management.
  • Impact: Navigation inefficiencies and difficulty interpreting visual content via screen readers. 

Users with Motor Disabilities 

  • Issues: Keyboard traps and inconsistent keyboard operability in search functions and filters.
  • Impact: Increased difficulty performing searches and interacting with form elements. 

Users with Cognitive Disabilities 

  • Issues: The page layout can be confusing, search filters behave unexpectedly, and there is no guidance for closing expandable menus.
  • Impact: Difficulty understanding how to interact with the site, leading to frustration