Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0

As the Transparent Language Online system updates existing functionality and develops new capabilities, we methodically address the support of accessibility for learners with special needs. Transparent Language Online has not been tested for WCAG 2.0 compliance by third-party experts, although good programming practices and our own on-going internal testing, we are working to support more and more aspects of WCAG 2.0 compliance. Our team is building knowledge of these standards, so that where feasible we can support the broadest possible access to our learning system. Below is a listing of the WCAG 2.0 criteria for software application and web sites with our current assessment of Transparent Language Online status for each criteria. Any documented issues below will be fixed through our development process in the future.

For the breakdown of WCAG 2.1 success criteria, Click here.

For a breakdown of the WCAG 2.2 success criteria, Click here.

 

Principle 1 – Perceivable

Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.

Level Criteria Description Pass/Fail Support Level Notes on Exceptions
A 1.1.1 – Non Text Content Provide text alternatives for any non-text content so that it can be changed into other forms people need, such as large print, braille, speech, symbols or simpler language. Pass 95%

One issue in Kidspeak only.

A 1.2.1 – Audio-Only and Video-Only For prerecorded audio-only and prerecorded video-only media, the following are true, except when the audio or video is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such:
  • Prerecorded Audio-only: An alternative for time-based media is provided that presents equivalent information for prerecorded audio-only content.
  • Prerecorded Video-only: Either an alternative for time-based media or an audio track is provided that presents equivalent information for prerecorded video-only content.
Pass 95% There is no description of the no-dialogue culture videos that a limited number of certain Essentials lessons have. 
A 1.2.2 – Captions (Pre-recorded) Captions are provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such. Pass 95% One issue in Kidspeak only. 
A 1.2.3 – Audio Description or Media Alternative (Pre-recorded) An alternative for time-based media or audio description of the prerecorded video content is provided for synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such. Pass 95% There are a small number of videos that don’t contain descriptions of actions in the video. 

AA 1.2.4 – Captions (Live) Captions are provided for all live audio content in synchronized media. Pass 100%  
AA 1.2.5 – Audio Description Audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media. Pass 90% There are a small number of videos that don’t contain descriptions of actions in the video. 
AAA 1.2.6 – Sign Language (Pre-recorded) Sign language interpretation is provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
AAA 1.2.7 – Extended Audio Description (Pre-recorded) Where pauses in foreground audio are insufficient to allow audio descriptions to convey the sense of the video, extended audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
AAA 1.2.8 – Media Alternative (Pre- recorded) An alternative for time-based media is provided for all prerecorded synchronized media and for all prerecorded video-only media. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
AAA 1.2.9 – Audio Only (Live) An alternative for time-based media that presents equivalent information for live audio-only content is provided. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
A 1.3.1 – Info and Relationships Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation can be programmatically determined or are available in text. Pass 90% Some unlabeled elements found, location within a table is not accessible to screen readers. 
A 1.3.2 – Meaningful Sequence When the sequence in which content is presented affects its meaning, a correct reading sequence can be programmatically determined. Pass 95% In most tables, screen readers can’t find column headers, and some tables are even set up as two separate tables (one for the headers and one for the data). To be fixed. 
A 1.3.3 – Sensory Characteristics Instructions provided for understanding and operating content do not rely solely on sensory characteristics of components such as shape, size, visual location, orientation, or sound Pass 90% Some issues found within Kidspeak and learning activities. 
A 1.4.1 – Use of Color Color is not used as the only visual means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. Pass 95% Required fields in the signup form use a red asterisk to mark “required” with no other explanation.
A 1.4.2 – Audio Control If any audio on a Web page plays automatically for more than 3 seconds, either a mechanism is available to pause or stop the audio, or a mechanism is available to control audio volume independently from the overall system volume level. Pass 90% Issue with lack of special audio control considerations in mobile app for handsfree.
AA 1.4.3 – Contrast (Minimum) The visual presentation of text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1, except for the following:

 

  • Large Text: Large-scale text and images of large-scale text have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1;
  • Incidental: Text or images of text that are part of an inactive user interface component, that are pure decoration, that are not visible to anyone, or that are part of a picture that contains significant other visual content, have no contrast requirement.
  • Logotypes: Text that is part of a logo or brand name has no minimum contrast requirement.
Pass 90% Several exceptions documented which will be fixed by a release in mid 2024.
AA 1.4.4 – Resize Text Except for captions and images of text, text can be resized without assistive technology up to 200 percent without loss of content or functionality. Pass 95% Vocab item comment bubbles and Matching tiles can be hidden at higher text sizes.
AA 1.4.5 – Images of Text If the technologies being used can achieve the visual presentation, text is used to convey information rather than images of text except for the following:

 

  • Customizable: The image of text can be visually customized to the user’s requirements;
  • Essential: A particular presentation of text is essential to the information being conveyed.
Pass 99% One open issue related to Grammar References using images instead of text for Servian language.
AAA 1.4.6 – Contrast (Enhanced) The visual presentation of text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 7:1, except for the following:

 

  • Large Text: Large-scale text and images of large-scale text have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1;
  • Incidental: Text or images of text that are part of an inactive user interface component, that are pure decoration, that are not visible to anyone, or that are part of a picture that contains significant other visual content, have no contrast requirement.
  • Logotypes: Text that is part of a logo or brand name has no minimum contrast requirement.
Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
AAA 1.4.7 – Low or No Background Audio For prerecorded audio-only content that (1) contains primarily speech in the foreground, (2) is not an audio CAPTCHA or audio logo, and (3) is not vocalization intended to be primarily musical expression such as singing or rapping, at least one of the following is true:

 

  • No Background: The audio does not contain background sounds.
  • Turn Off: The background sounds can be turned off.
  • 20 dB: The background sounds are at least 20 decibels lower than the foreground speech content, with the exception of occasional sounds that last for only one or two seconds.
Not applicable   We target AA level compliance. 
AAA 1.4.8 – Visual Presentation For the visual presentation of blocks of text, a mechanism is available to achieve the following:

 

  1. Foreground and background colors can be selected by the user.
  2. Width is no more than 80 characters or glyphs (40 if CJK).
  3. Text is not justified (aligned to both the left and the right margins).
  4. Line spacing (leading) is at least space-and-a-half within paragraphs, and paragraph spacing is at least 1.5 times larger than the line spacing.
  5. Text can be resized without assistive technology up to 200 percent in a way that does not require the user to scroll horizontally to read a line of text on a full-screen window.
Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
AAA 1.4.9 – Images of Text (No Exception) Images of text are only used for pure decoration or where a particular presentation of text is essential to the information being conveyed. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.

 

Principle 2 – Operable

User interface components and navigation must be operable.

Level Guideline Description Pass/Fail Support Level Notes On Exceptions
A 2.1.1 – Keyboard All functionality of the content is operable through a keyboard interface without requiring specific timings for individual keystrokes, except where the underlying function requires input that depends on the path of the user’s movement and not just the endpoints. Pass 95% There are several areas in Transparent Language Online where keyboard operation of an element does not work correctly or lacks some aspect of functionality. These exceptions are almost entirely outside of the learning activities and not within the most commonly used areas of the system. 

Exceptions to be addressed in updates in mid 2024.
A 2.1.2 – No Keyboard Trap If keyboard focus can be moved to a component of the page using a keyboard interface, then focus can be moved away from that component using only a keyboard interface, and, if it requires more than unmodified arrow or tab keys or other standard exit methods, the user is advised of the method for moving focus away. Pass 95% No indication of how the user can rearrange the LP with the keyboard.  In the Learned Vocab modal, it's not possible to shift + tab out of the Filter Term text box.
AAA 2.1.3 – Keyboard (No Exception) All functionality of the content is operable through a keyboard interface without requiring specific timings for individual keystrokes Not applicable   We target AA level compliance. 
A 2.2.1 – Timing Adjustable For each time limit that is set by the content, at least one of the following is true:

 

  • Turn off: The user is allowed to turn off the time limit before encountering it; or
  • Adjust: The user is allowed to adjust the time limit before encountering it over a wide range that is at least ten times the length of the default setting; or
  • Extend: The user is warned before time expires and given at least 20 seconds to extend the time limit with a simple action (for example, “press the space bar”), and the user is allowed to extend the time limit at least ten times; or
  • Real-time Exception: The time limit is a required part of a real-time event (for example, an auction), and no alternative to the time limit is possible; or
  • Essential Exception: The time limit is essential and extending it would invalidate the activity; or
  • 20 Hour Exception: The time limit is longer than 20 hours.
Pass 95% One issues that impacts three different activities. Will be fixed.
A 2.2.2 – Pause, Stop, Hide For moving, blinking, scrolling, or auto-updating information, all of the following are true:

 

  • Moving, blinking, scrolling: For any moving, blinking or scrolling information that (1) starts automatically, (2) lasts more than five seconds, and (3) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it unless the movement, blinking, or scrolling is part of an activity where it is essential; and
  • Auto-updating: For any auto-updating information that (1) starts automatically and (2) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it or to control the frequency of the update unless the auto-updating is part of an activity where it is essential.
Pass 100%  
AAA 2.2.3 – No Timing Timing is not an essential part of the event or activity presented by the content, except for non-interactive synchronized media and real-time events. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
AAA 2.2.4 – Interruptions Interruptions can be postponed or suppressed by the user, except interruptions involving an emergency. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
AAA 2.2.5 – Re-authenticating When an authenticated session expires, the user can continue the activity without loss of data after re-authenticating. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
A 2.3.1 – Three Flashes or Below Web pages do not contain anything that flashes more than three times in any one second period, or the flash is below the general flash and red flash thresholds. Pass 100%  
AAA 2.3.2 – Three Flashes Web pages do not contain anything that flashes more than three times in any one second period. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
A 2.4.1 – Bypass Blocks A mechanism is available to bypass blocks of content that are repeated on multiple Web pages. Pass 100%  
A 2.4.2 – Page Titled Web pages have titles that describe topic or purpose. Pass 100%  
A 2.4.3 – Focus Order If a Web page can be navigated sequentially and the navigation sequences affect meaning or operation, focusable components receive focus in an order that preserves meaning and operability. Pass 95% The stale vocab (!) icon is not in the same location in tab order as in visual reading order.
A 2.4.4 – Link Purpose (In Context) The purpose of each link can be determined from the link text alone or from the link text together with its programmatically determined link context, except where the purpose of the link would be ambiguous to users in general. Pass 100%  
AA 2.4.5 – Multiple Ways More than one way is available to locate a Web page within a set of Web pages except where the Web Page is the result of, or a step in, a process. Fail   Currently only one way to locate a page within a set of pages in most cases. Working on implementation of a sitemap or table of contents.
AA 2.4.6 – Headings and Labels Headings and labels describe topic or purpose. Pass 100%  
AA 2.4.7 – Focus Visible Any keyboard operable user interface has a mode of operation where the keyboard focus indicator is visible. Pass 95% In several locations in UI, it’s hard to tell whether elements are in focus.

AAA 2.4.8 – Location Information about the user’s location within a set of Web pages is available. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
AAA 2.4.9 – Link Purpose (Link Only) A mechanism is available to allow the purpose of each link to be identified from link text alone, except where the purpose of the link would be ambiguous to users in general. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
AAA 2.4.10 – Section Headings Section headings are used to organize the content. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.

 

Principle 3 – Understandable

Information and the operation of user interface must be understandable.

Level Guideline Description Pass/Fail Support Level Notes on Exceptions
A 3.1.1 – Language of Page The default human language of each Web page can be programmatically determined. Pass 100%  
AA 3.1.2 – Language of Parts The human language of each passage or phrase in the content can be programmatically determined except for proper names, technical terms, words of indeterminate language, and words or phrases that have become part of the vernacular of the immediately surrounding text. Pass 95% My Activity Report UI doesn’t change “lang” to match localization.  Featured Resources are neither localized nor permanently tagged as English.  Activity names can be different from localization language but don’t have “lang”.
AAA 3.1.3 – Unusual Words A mechanism is available for identifying specific definitions of words or phrases used in an unusual or restricted way, including idioms and jargon. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
AAA 3.1.4 – Abbreviations A mechanism for identifying the expanded form or meaning of abbreviations is available. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
AAA 3.1.5 – Reading Level When text requires reading ability more advanced than the lower secondary education level after removal of proper names and titles, supplemental content, or a version that does not require reading ability more advanced than the lower secondary education level, is available. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
AAA 3.1.6 – Pronunciation A mechanism is available for identifying specific pronunciation of words where meaning of the words, in context, is ambiguous without knowing the pronunciation. Not applicable    
A 3.2.1 – On Focus When any component receives focus, it does not initiate a change of context. Pass 100%  
A 3.2.2 – On Input Changing the setting of any user interface component does not automatically cause a change of context unless the user has been advised of the behavior before using the component. Pass 95% Focus moves into the text field instead of staying on the toggle when you turn Easy Type mode off.
AA 3.2.3 – Consistent Navigation Navigational mechanisms that are repeated on multiple Web pages within a set of Web pages occur in the same relative order each time they are repeated, unless a change is initiated by the user. Pass 100%  
AA 3.2.4 – Consistent Identification Components that have the same functionality within a set of Web pages are identified consistently. Pass 100%  
AAA 3.2.5 – Change on Request Changes of context are initiated only by user request or a mechanism is available to turn off such changes. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
A 3.3.1 – Error Identification If an input error is automatically detected, the item that is in error is identified and the error is described to the user in text. Pass 100%  
A 3.3.2 – Labels or Instructions Labels or instructions are provided when content requires user input. Pass 95% Some fields found without labels or with screen reader incompatible labels. 
AA 3.3.3 – Error Suggestion If an input error is automatically detected and suggestions for correction are known, then the suggestions are provided to the user, unless it would jeopardize the security or purpose of the content. Pass 95% My Activity Report UI doesn’t provide a useful error message for missing/incomplete dates. 
AA 3.3.4 – Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) For Web pages that cause legal commitments or financial transactions for the user to occur, that modify or delete user-controllable data in data storage systems, or that submit user test responses, at least one of the following is true:

 

  1. Reversible: Submissions are reversible.
  2. Checked: Data entered by the user is checked for input errors and the user is provided an opportunity to correct them.
  3. Confirmed: A mechanism is available for reviewing, confirming, and correcting information before finalizing the submission.
Pass 95% Writing activities in assessments don’t have a “confirmation” step for answers like other activities do. 
AAA 3.3.5 – Help Context-sensitive help is available. Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.
AAA 3.3.6 – Error Prevention (All) For Web pages that require the user to submit information, at least one of the following is true:

 

  1. Reversible: Submissions are reversible.
  2. Checked: Data entered by the user is checked for input errors and the user is provided an opportunity to correct them.
  3. Confirmed: A mechanism is available for reviewing, confirming, and correcting information before finalizing the submission.
Not applicable   We target AA level compliance.

Principle 4 – Robust

Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.

Level Guideline Description Pass/Fail Support Level Exceptions
A 4.1.1 – Parsing In content implemented using markup languages, elements have complete start and end tags, elements are nested according to their specifications, elements do not contain duplicate attributes, and any IDs are unique, except where the specifications allow these features. Pass 95% One issue that affects Kidspeak only.
A 4.1.2 – Name, Role, Value For all user interface components (including but not limited to: form elements, links and components generated by scripts), the name and role can be programmatically determined; states, properties, and values that can be set by the user can be programmatically set; and notification of changes to these items is available to user agents, including assistive technologies. Pass 99% Only one missing label currently impacts learning features.