NoRedInk: Pioneering Accessible Complex Interactions in Educational Technology

Summary

The case study focuses on our collaboration with NoRedInk, an e-learning platform designed for grades 3-12, to enhance its accessibility features. The engagement encompassed several key stages:

‍Comprehensive WCAG 2.1 Level AA Audit: We conducted a thorough evaluation of NoRedInk's web platform, including complex interactions such as drag-and-drop interfaces, meaningful highlighting for sentence structure analysis, dynamic feedback mechanisms, progress indicators, and sophisticated systems for providing students with corrective feedback and guidance.

‍Audit Retest/Verification: Following the initial audit, we performed follow-up assessments to validate the effective implementation of recommended accessibility enhancements, ensuring that the changes made had the desired impact on the platform's accessibility.

‍Remediation Oversight and Consulting: Throughout the remediation process, we provided expert guidance to the NoRedInk team, helping them navigate the complexities of accessibility compliance and implement effective solutions to identified issues.

‍VPAT/ACR Development: We developed a comprehensive Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) and Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) to document the platform's compliance with accessibility standards, providing transparency for users and stakeholders.

‍Ongoing Resolution of WCAG Defects: As part of our ongoing collaboration, we continuously updated the VPAT/ACR to reflect the resolution of any identified accessibility issues, ensuring that the documentation accurately represented the platform's current accessibility status.

The impact of these accessibility enhancements was evident in the following metrics:

• The number of criteria listed as "Partially Supports" in the VPAT/ACR improved from 21 in the initial audit to 16 in the most recent evaluation.
• The criteria marked as "Does Not Support" were reduced from 7 in the initial audit to just 1 in the latest assessment.

These significant changes demonstrate the platform's substantial progress in accessibility from the initial audit to the most recent evaluation, showcasing the effectiveness of the collaborative effort between NoRedInk and our team.

Defining the Project Scope

Our initial engagement with NoRedInk began with a comprehensive collaboration to meticulously define the project's scope. We carefully considered the platform's complexity and the diverse range of assignment variations offered to students. 

Our team worked closely with NoRedInk to understand these complexities and tailor our audit strategy effectively. This collaborative effort was crucial to ensuring a thorough evaluation and enhancement of the platform's accessibility features, taking into account the unique challenges posed by the platform's sophisticated design and interactive elements.

Conducting a Comprehensive Audit

Our auditing process encompassed a combination of manual and automated testing methodologies to ensure a thorough evaluation of NoRedInk's accessibility. The manual testing component involved an in-depth review by our team of accessibility experts, who focused on the platform's complex interactive elements, such as:

• Drag-and-drop functionalities
• Sentence-highlighting tasks
• Dynamic feedback mechanisms
• Progress indicators
• Corrective feedback systems

This hands-on approach allowed us to identify accessibility issues that may not be easily detectable through automated means, providing a more nuanced understanding of the user experience for individuals with disabilities.

To complement the manual testing, we employed automated scanning tools to swiftly identify more straightforward accessibility issues across the platform. This ensured broad coverage and helped uncover any issues that may have been missed during the manual review process. By combining these two approaches, we aligned our evaluation with the intricate nature of NoRedInk's e-learning content and its varied interactive features, resulting in a comprehensive assessment of the platform's accessibility.

Prioritizing and Addressing Issues

Upon completing the initial audit, we provided NoRedInk with detailed information regarding the severity and impact of each identified accessibility defect. This insight was instrumental in their remediation planning process, allowing them to make informed decisions about which issues to prioritize.

NoRedInk combined our comprehensive audit findings with their internal usage statistics to strategically prioritize their initial remediation efforts. By focusing on addressing the most critical issues that affected the largest number of users, they were able to make targeted and effective enhancements to the platform's accessibility. This data-driven approach ensured that the most significant barriers to accessibility were tackled first, maximizing the impact of their remediation efforts.

Iterative Collaboration and VPAT/ACR Development

Once NoRedInk had prioritized the identified issues based on severity and user impact, they began implementing the necessary fixes to address the accessibility defects. Our team then engaged in an iterative collaboration process, meticulously rechecking the updated platform to verify the effectiveness of the implemented solutions.

Throughout this process, we provided additional guidance and explored alternative solutions when needed, working closely with NoRedInk's development team to ensure that each defect was effectively resolved. This collaborative approach was crucial to enhancing the platform's overall accessibility and user experience, as it allowed for continuous refinement and improvement based on our expertise and NoRedInk's deep understanding of their platform.

After NoRedInk finished prioritizing and addressing the key accessibility issues, we compiled the initial VPAT/ACR to reflect the platform's enhanced accessibility status. This document provided a transparent overview of the platform's compliance with accessibility standards, listing:

• 21 criteria as "Partially Supports"
• 7 criteria as "Does Not Support"
• Other criteria that either fully supported accessibility standards or did not apply to the platform

The VPAT/ACR served as a clear testament to the significant progress made in improving the platform's accessibility, highlighting the areas where NoRedInk had successfully implemented accessibility features and identifying the remaining gaps that required further attention.

Ongoing Commitment to Accessibility

Approximately a year after our initial engagement, we revisited NoRedInk's e-learning platform to conduct a second comprehensive audit. This follow-up evaluation included a thorough review of all the new updates, features, and lessons that had been added to the platform since our first review, ensuring that any new content or functionality was scrutinized for accessibility compliance.

During this second audit, we re-evaluated outstanding defects from the initial audit and worked with NoRedInk to resolve them, further refining the platform's accessibility. We also updated the VPAT/ACR to accurately reflect the platform's current accessibility status, providing a more streamlined list of remaining issues and showcasing the platform's ongoing improvements in accessibility compliance.

NoRedInk's commitment to digital accessibility extends beyond these two audits. They have engaged in biannual reviews with our team, leading to significant and continuous improvements in the platform's accessibility. Six months after the second audit, a subsequent review revealed a further reduction in accessibility issues, which was reflected in the updated VPAT/ACR.

This iterative process has yielded impressive results, successfully lowering the number of criteria rated as "Partially Supports" from 21 in the initial audit to 16 in the most recent evaluation. Moreover, the criteria marked as "Does Not Support" have been substantially decreased from 7 to just 1, demonstrating NoRedInk's proactive and dedicated approach to enhancing the platform's accessibility for all users.

Key Takeaways for E-Learning Platforms

NoRedInk's accessibility journey offers several valuable lessons for other e-learning platforms looking to improve their accessibility:

Collaborative scoping is essential to understand platform complexities and tailor an effective audit strategy. By working closely with accessibility experts to define the project scope, e-learning platforms can ensure that their unique features and challenges are adequately addressed during the evaluation process.

• Combining manual and automated testing ensures a thorough evaluation of accessibility issues. While automated tools can quickly identify common accessibility barriers, manual testing by experienced professionals is crucial for uncovering complex issues related to user experience and interaction design.
• Prioritizing issues based on severity and user impact enables targeted and efficient remediation. By leveraging audit findings and internal usage data, e-learning platforms can focus their efforts on resolving the most critical accessibility issues first, maximizing the impact of their remediation efforts.
• Iterative collaboration between the accessibility team and the client is crucial for effective issue resolution. Ongoing communication, retesting, and refinement ensure that accessibility solutions are properly implemented and aligned with the platform's unique requirements.
• Ongoing commitment to accessibility through regular audits and updates leads to continuous improvement. By engaging in periodic reviews and maintaining an up-to-date VPAT/ACR, e-learning platforms can demonstrate their dedication to providing an inclusive learning experience for all users.

We find NoRedInk's accessibility journey particularly compelling, as it showcases the impactful strides in accessibility that can be achieved through focused effort, expertise, and ongoing collaboration. Their success story serves as an inspiration for other e-learning platforms seeking to create a more inclusive and accessible digital learning environment.

If you are inspired by NoRedInk's story and eager to embark on a similar journey towards digital inclusivity, Zenyth is here to guide you. Our team of accessibility experts is dedicated to helping organizations navigate the complexities of accessibility compliance and develop effective strategies for enhancing the accessibility of their digital platforms.

Reach out to us today to explore how we can partner with you to facilitate remarkable improvements in your e-learning platform's accessibility. Together, we can work towards creating a more inclusive digital landscape, where every student has equal access to engaging and effective learning experiences.