Improving Digital Inclusivity: How Accessibility Testing Transformed a Team Analytics Platform

Client Background and Project Goals: 

The client provides a data-driven platform that helps organizers assess team performance and measure ROI through visual reports and analytics. By analyzing data at multiple levels, the platform enables organizers to strategize effectively for future success.

The client aimed to make the platform fully accessible, ensuring inclusivity for all users, especially those with visual impairments, and to comply with global accessibility standards. To achieve this, they partnered with Jignect to conduct Accessibility Testing for their website.

Primary Focus Areas:

• Ensuring compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA and ADA standards.
• Enhancing navigation and readability for screen reader users.
• Improving accessibility of interactive elements, forms, and checkout processes.
• Optimizing usability for blind users to boost engagement and conversions.
• Enhancing user experience to drive higher adoption rates.

Challenges

Business Challenges:

1. Lack of Accessibility Awareness: No prior accessibility implementation.  
2. Limited Resources: No dedicated team to test accessibility features.  
3. Compliance Risks: Need to meet ADA and WCAG standards to avoid penalties.  
4. Usability Concerns: Visually impaired users faced difficulty navigating, filling forms, and accessing key features specifically with popups and dynamic content.

Key Challenges:

1. Limited Knowledge of Accessibility Testing – Required better understanding of how visually impaired users interact with the platform to design effective test scenarios.
2. Normal User Perspective – Needed to incorporate assistive tools to accurately capture the experience of blind users.
3. Bug Detection Across Devices – Ensuring consistent accessibility compliance across different devices and browsers required careful validation.
4. Complex UI Elements – Dynamic and interactive components demanded focused testing to confirm proper screen reader compatibility.

Solutions & Testing Approach

Key Accessibility Enhancements:

1. Keyboard-Only Navigation Support: Ensured the platform is fully usable via keyboard, supporting users who cannot operate a mouse. All interactive elements, including menus, forms, and modals, can be accessed sequentially with the Tab key and activated using Enter or Space.

• Example: A user can navigate through different sections, select options in dropdowns, and submit forms using only the keyboard.

2. Structured Navigation Flow: Maintained a left-to-right and top-to-bottom logical sequence, ensuring a smooth reading and navigation flow for assistive technologies.

• Example: Content is now presented in the same order it appears visually—starting from headings, moving to data summaries, and then to actionable elements like buttons or links—helping users follow information without confusion.

3. Semantic HTML Validation: Used proper semantic elements and ARIA roles so assistive technologies can interpret content correctly. Headings follow a consistent hierarchy, and important landmarks are defined for quick navigation.

• Example: Buttons, icons, and other interactive elements are correctly identified as actionable components by screen readers instead of being read as plain text.

4. Alt Text Verification: Added meaningful alternative text for all images and interactive icons to ensure visually impaired users understand their purpose. Decorative images were marked appropriately so they are ignored by screen readers.

• Example: Functional icons such as “Download” or “Search” are announced clearly by assistive tools, helping users perform actions confidently.

5. Validation Message Accessibility: Optimized form error messages to be clear, concise, and immediately announced when a user interacts with a field.

• Example: When a required field is left empty, the message is announced right after the field receives focus, ensuring users know exactly what action is needed.

Assistive Technology & Testing Approach

1. Screen Reader Testing with NVDA

• We used NVDA, one of the most widely used screen readers, to verify that all elements were correctly announced and followed a logical reading sequence. This included checking headings, labels, buttons, and form fields to ensure users could easily understand and interact with the platform.

2. Keyboard-Only Navigation Validation

• The platform was thoroughly tested using only the keyboard to ensure users could navigate and interact with all components without relying on a mouse. We validated tab order, focus visibility, and proper activation using Enter or Space.

3. Low-Vision and Color Contrast Testing

• We used WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) and manual checks to evaluate color contrast and ensure key elements were distinguishable for low-vision or color-blind users.
  • Tested speech recognition tools integrated with the application.
  • Checked color blindness themes to ensure alternative color schemes provided proper visibility.
  • Verified color contrast ratio and proper highlighting of links and buttons.
  • Tested zoom text and font resizing to ensure readability without layout breaking.

4. Automated Accessibility Scanning

• Lighthouse was used for automated accessibility scanning to identify common violations such as missing ARIA attributes, low contrast ratios, or incorrect heading structures. Results were cross-verified manually for accuracy.

5. Cross-Device and Browser Testing

• Accessibility testing was performed across multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and devices (desktop, mobile, and tablets) to ensure consistent user experience for all users, regardless of platform.

6. Compliance with Accessibility Standards

• All testing activities were aligned with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines to ensure legal compliance and provide an inclusive user experience for visually impaired and low-vision users.

Outcome & Benefits

• Achieved WCAG 2.1 AA compliance for important workflows.
• Improved screen reader support, making it easier for blind users to navigate, fill forms, and use popups.
• Enhanced keyboard-only navigation, making the platform more accessible for users with physical disabilities.
• Increased user engagement and adoption among visually impaired users by making interactions simpler.
• Minimized compliance risks by meeting ADA and WCAG accessibility standards.

Conclusion

The accessibility testing initiative significantly improved the platform’s usability for visually impaired users, ensuring a more inclusive experience. By addressing key areas such as screen reader compatibility, keyboard-only navigation, and color contrast, the platform now aligns with WCAG 2.1 AA and ADA standards. These enhancements not only reduce compliance risks but also boost user engagement and adoption among diverse user groups. This Jignect project demonstrates how focused accessibility efforts can drive both business value and social inclusivity. The client plans to include accessibility testing as part of every release cycle to maintain compliance and continually improve user experience.

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