In our ongoing commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, we are thrilled to announce some exciting updates to the Read Live platform. Read Naturally recently received a letter of conformance stating that the Read Live platform now conforms with Level A and AA of the WCAG version 2.1. This ensures Read Live is more accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. From improved color contrast to enhanced keyboard navigation, these changes aim to create a more seamless and enjoyable experience for every student. 

Rodrigo Muiño, a member of our technology team, filled us in on the changes:

Improved Color Contrast

The color contrast in the Student Modules throughout the Read Live platform has been adjusted to meet WCAG AA accessibility standards, ensuring that text and interactive elements are easily discernible for students with visual impairments and colorblindness. 

Scaling Pages

Student pages can be scaled in a browser up to the accessibility standard of 200%. This feature allows students with low vision to comfortably read and interact with content without compromising quality or usability. 

Closed Captions in Audio

For students who are deaf or hard of hearing, we've implemented closed captions for audio content. The option for closed captions can be turned on by staff members when enrolling students, and students with this option turned on will see an accessibility control in the footer of the Read Live student pages.  

Autoplay Audio Control

Students with accessibility controls in the footer of their Read Live application can control whether audio lessons play automatically as they enter each step. 

Keyboard Navigation Enhancements

Navigating the website using only a keyboard is now smoother and more intuitive. We've enhanced keyboard navigation to make it easier for students to move through pages and interact with various elements without relying on a mouse. 

Tagging 

  •  Charts and Graphs: Read Live now features detailed tagging of charts and graphs to provide comprehensive descriptions, making this important content accessible to students using screen readers. 

  • Interactive UI Components: Interactive elements such as buttons, lists, and toggles are now tagged to ensure compatibility with screen readers and keyboard navigation.  

  • Markup of Headings and Page Structure: Rodrigo and his team made sure that markup was added to the headings and page structure in Read Live, to meet the requirements of ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) specifications. This crucial update lets students who use screen readers navigate Read Live content efficiently. 

At Read Naturally, we believe that every student deserves equal access to educational resources. With these accessibility enhancements, we're proud to provide a more inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive. We remain committed to ongoing improvements and welcome feedback from our community as we continue to strive for accessibility excellence. Together, we can empower every student to reach their full potential.