Library Accessibility Alliance
***Below is a summary of UARC's accessibility evaluation. For the full report, click the pdf link in the menu on the right.***
MSU Usability/Accessibility Research and Consulting (MSU UARC) conducted a high-level accessibility evaluation of the Swank video platform to evaluate its conformance with WCAG 2.0 AA Criteria. This evaluation did not include all functionality or content of the site or all WCAG 2.0 AA Success Criteria.
During this evaluation, a number of issues were found that may make some site content impossible to use for some individuals with disabilities and may make the site difficult to use for many others.
Critically, custom keyboard shortcuts on the Video page interfere with browser functionality and do not work with assistive technologies.
Keyboard users, including screen reader users and users with dexterity impairments, will find it impossible or injurious to use some site content. Some content cannot be reached or operated via keyboard, making it impossible to use for those that rely on keyboard access, and some content requires an inordinate number of key presses to reach, creating potential pain and injury risks for some users. Focus order is incorrect in some places, increasing the difficulty of using the site with a keyboard. Some interactive elements lack a sufficiently visible focus indicator, making it difficult for many keyboard-only users to effectively use them, as they cannot determine when they have reached the correct element.
Individuals with visual impairments, including those that rely on screen readers, will also have problems using the site. Some content is not read out correctly and structural information (including headings and lists) is not appropriately conveyed to users, making it difficult or impossible to understand content and organization in places. Some form inputs are not appropriately labeled, making those inputs difficult or impossible to use for those that rely on screen readers. Custom elements do not correctly announce themselves to screen readers, making them difficult to understand and use. Most images have inappropriate or missing alternative text, significantly impacting users with visual impairments.
Other issues were found that will make it difficult for users with a variety of disabilities to effectively use the system, including insufficient color contrast, insufficient link context, no means to bypass repeated navigation, and inappropriate page titles.
To improve access for users with disabilities, MSU UARC recommends a full WCAG 2.0 AA evaluation and that the problems discovered be remediated.