Digital learning

Adapt authoring tool (May 2022 onwards)

Our digital learning balances engaging interactivity with accessibility. We create our digital learning using a bespoke Adapt theme that has been tested and confirmed to be fully compliant with WCAG Version 2.1 AA standard (with the exception of the non-compliances listed below).

We want as many people as possible to be able to use the digital learning we create. For example, that means you will be able to:

  • navigate a course using just a keyboard
  • listen to a course using a screen reader
  • navigate most of a course using speech recognition software
  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen

Our theme is designed to be as accessible as possible from the get-go:

  • colours have adequate contrast levels making content easier to see
  • text has adequate sizing making it easier to see
  • interactive elements are large and easy to click/tap
  • content is written to be simple and easy to understand

We’ve worked with accessibility-experts Zoonou who have independently tested our theme against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1 AA standard. They have tested core learner journeys using the following recognised assistive technology tools:

  • Jaws
  • NVDA
  • ZoomText
  • VoiceOver (Mac OS)
  • VoiceOver (iOS)
  • TalkBack for Android

Non-compliances

The non-compliances found are core issues with the open-source Adapt framework, which our theme is built on-top of:

SummaryDetails
Learners can get stuck when using Android Talkback (slider interactions).We can mitigate these issues by omitting slider interactions in tailored courses where we know the audience will be using these specific assistive technologies. This issue will be brought to the attention of the adapt core team and updated once they have a fix.
Zooming to 400% on smaller screens can result in content being covered by UI.The content within the hint modal is not present in full on smaller devices. Additionally, within several Components, the ‘Continue’ bar renders over content, making it difficult to see in full. Internal development to fix this issue is in the pipeline and adding an in-built accessibility plugin should give users a better option for this. Currently no issues at 300% zoom.
Rendering Issues when applying Custom CSS Text Spacing.When custom CSS text styling is applied, copy within the navigation menu renders off screen, making them difficult to interact with.
Dragon Naturally Speaking is not supported by the adapt framework – although content is usable, errors may occur.This issue has been reported to the adapt core team, if they update the framework to support Dragon Naturally Speaking we will start supporting it as well.
Video components lack title attributes.This issue has been reported to the adapt core team and will be updated once they have a fix.
Markup has not been used to aid accessibility on buttons.Currently, duplicate elements are inside their own parent component, leaving the user to discern the context of what they relate to. This issue will be brought to the attention of the adapt core team and updated once they have a fix.

Alt text vs Aria labels

It’s worth mentioning that Adapt uses aria labels to provide text labels for screen readers. This applies to both interactive elements like buttons as well as non-interactive elements such as images which more commonly use the standard alt text attribute. However, as aria labels are given priority by screen readers it has no real world ramifications and functions just as well as alt text with assistive technology.

Articulate Storyline 360

The bulk of our existing course library and software learning tutorials are developed in Articulate Storyline 360. We aim to make these courses as visually accessible as possible:

  • colours have adequate contrast levels
  • text has adequate sizing
  • interactive elements are large and easy to click/tap
  • content is written to be simple and easy to understand
  • all video content has closed captions

Learning platforms

Blue LMS

Blue LMS has an option to give users a basic “accessible” view – which has:

  • a higher contrast
  • allows for font-scaling
  • can be navigated with only a keyboard

This view works for completing basic courses but isn’t currently compatible with advanced Blue LMS features (such as systems training, digital workbooks and event booking). This setting is configured at an admin-level when editing or adding users. It’s worth noting this view is no-longer actively supported as we focus our attention on the “standard” Blue LMS view and our new LMS platform.

We’re working on an exciting new LMS platform which is designed to be fully compliant with WCAG Version 2.1 AA standard. Keep an eye on out on our social channels for more information.

Websites

Accessibility options on this website

We’ve tried to design our website to be as accessible as possible – however, one text size is not always the best for everyone. Did you know that you can change the scale of the text and content to make it easier to read by using your browser’s zoom function?

On a PC: To increase the zoom level (on most browsers), press the “Ctrl” and “+” keys together. To decrease the zoom, press “Ctrl” and “–” instead.

On a Mac: To increase the zoom level (on most browsers), press the “Cmd” and “+” keys together. To decrease the zoom, press “Cmd” and “–” instead.

Alternatively, you can go to the settings section of your chosen browser and set the zoom level there.

Reporting accessibility problems

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of our products. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact: support@melearning.co.uk and let us know specifics.

This statement was prepared on 17/03/2023. It was last reviewed on 17/03/2023.