We want hosted Document Library Pro to meet or exceed recognized accessibility guidelines. The library has been built with accessibility in mind, and we audit and test it regularly to find any further improvements we can make.
Which standards do you test against?
We are committed to meeting WCAG 2.1 Level A, which is the minimum generally accepted bar for software to be considered accessible.
Our goal is to reach Level AA, the level the EU requires for EAA compliance and that ADA compliance covers in the US for certain businesses. We will make changes to get there wherever it is realistic. In a few cases it may not be, for example if a change would force a drastic usability shift or break a core feature.
Our process uses both automated and manual testing, including checks with popular assistive technology such as screen readers and zoom tools. We also keep a reusable suite of automated accessibility tests so that future releases stay accessible.
What about other accessibility laws?
While we work to meet W3C standards, it is not realistic for us to test against every local rule, such as Section 508 in the US.
It is ultimately the site owner’s responsibility to make sure their library and the surrounding website meet the legal accessibility requirements in their region. This usually means arranging regular audits by certified accessibility experts.
Here are some resources that can help:
- The Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker is a strong starting point, and Equalize Digital also offer services to fix any issues they find.
- AccessiCart offer ongoing accessibility maintenance plans.
Making your PDFs accessible
Many people forget that the PDFs inside a document library need to be accessible too, not just the library itself.
AccessiCart have published a five-part series on PDF accessibility:
- Intro and Series Overview
- Using the Accessibility Check Tool
- Reflow and Reading Order
- Document Tagging
- Conclusion
Reporting an accessibility issue
If you spot an accessibility problem with your hosted library, please get in touch with our support team and we will be glad to look into it.