Zenyth's Accessibility Audit for Witty Works’ Microsoft Word Add-In

Overview

Witty Works, a company dedicated to fostering inclusivity through language, sought to ensure that their Microsoft Word add-in not only helped users craft inclusive language but also provided a fully accessible digital experience for all. To achieve this, they partnered with Zenyth for an in-depth accessibility audit and consultation on their digital tool.

The Challenge

While Witty Works’ add-in already stood out for its ability to guide users in using inclusive language, it needed to meet the standards of digital accessibility to be usable by everyone, including individuals with disabilities. The main challenge was to ensure that the tool complied with WCAG 2.1 guidelines, offering seamless interaction across a range of assistive technologies without compromising its core functionality.

Zenyth's Approach

Zenyth undertook a comprehensive audit to identify the accessibility gaps in the Microsoft Word add-in. The key steps in our approach included:

1. Detailed Accessibility Evaluation: We performed a thorough analysis of the add-in against WCAG 2.1 A and AA standards, focusing on areas such as keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, color contrast, and overall user interface accessibility.
2. User Experience Testing: We tested the add-in with multiple assistive technologies, including screen readers like NVDA and JAWS, to ensure that users relying on these tools could interact with all functionalities seamlessly.
3. Recommendations for Improvement: Based on our findings, we provided Witty Works with a detailed report that outlined specific areas for enhancement, including recommendations on ARIA roles, improvements in focus management, and adjustments in visual design for better color contrast.
4. Consultation and Guidance: Beyond delivering the audit report, we offered hands-on guidance to Witty Works’ development team, helping them understand the root causes of the issues and the best practices for remediation.

Key Outcomes

• Enhanced Accessibility: Witty Works implemented our recommendations to ensure that their Microsoft Word add-in is now more accessible to users with disabilities, enabling them to benefit from its language inclusivity features without barriers.
• Improved User Experience: The improvements enhanced the overall usability of the add-in, making it easier to navigate and interact with, both for users with and without disabilities.
• WCAG Conformance: By adopting our suggestions, Witty Works moved closer to achieving conformance with WCAG 2.1 standards, demonstrating their commitment to digital inclusion.

Impact

Witty Works' dedication to improving their digital tool's accessibility has set a benchmark for how inclusivity should be approached. By collaborating with Zenyth, they not only ensured that their product offers inclusive language guidance but also that it is usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities.

Conclusion

Zenyth's partnership with Witty Works showcases the transformative power of accessibility in digital offerings. By focusing on making their tool accessible to all, Witty Works has reinforced their mission to drive inclusivity, not just in language but in user experience. We are proud to have been a part of their journey towards a more inclusive digital future.

To learn more about our work with Witty Works and their commitment to digital accessibility, read their blog post.