Project Overview
For this project, I led an ADA & WCAG Level AA compliance assessment for Volkswagen's Corporate Vehicle Fleet Management Registration Application.
This project aimed to ensure that the application met the necessary accessibility standards to provide an inclusive experience for all users, including those with disabilities.
Project Objectives
Evaluate the current state of the website’s accessibility.
Identify critical accessibility issues.
Provide recommendations to achieve ADA & WCAG Level AA compliance.
UX Methodology
For the ADA & WCAG Level AA compliance assessment of Volkswagen's Corporate Vehicle Fleet Management Registration Application, I employed a structured UX methodology. The project began with stakeholder collaboration to define clear goals and scope.
Adhering to ADA and WCAG 2.2 guidelines, we conducted an initial assessment using both automated tools and manual testing to establish a baseline score and identify key issues.
A detailed analysis categorized these issues by impact, and we provided targeted recommendations with implementation guidelines. These were integrated into Volkswagen's Material 3 Design System to ensure ongoing compliance.
We collaborated closely with development and design teams, offering support and training throughout the implementation phase.
Compliance Standards
The assessment focused on the following ADA compliance standards and WCAG guidelines:
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ADA Compliance: Ensuring digital products are accessible to people with disabilities, meeting the standards set by the U.S. Department of Justice.​
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WCAG 2.2 Guidelines: Following a three-tiered grading system (Level A, AA, AAA) to assess and improve the accessibility of web content.
Assessment Process
The assessment involved a combination of automated tools and manual checks:
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Automated Tools: Used accessibility checkers like accessibilitychecker.org to evaluate the website’s compliance with WCAG standards.
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Manual Checks: Conducted using Apple's built-in screen reader to simulate the experience of users with visual impairments.
Areas Evaluated
Document
Accessibility
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Color Contrast: Insufficient contrast ratio between text and background.
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Alt Text: Missing alt text for images, making them inaccessible to screen readers.
Web
Accessibility
Mobile
Accessability
Design
Accessability
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Responsive Design: Inconsistent layout and functionality across different screen sizes.
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Touch Targets: Small touch targets that are difficult to interact with on mobile devices.
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PDF Accessibility: PDF documents lacked proper tagging and structure, making them inaccessible to screen readers.
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Form Fields: Missing labels and instructions for form fields within documents.
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Screen Reader Compatibility: User ID and Password fields were not recognized by screen readers.
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Navigation Order: Inconsistent and illogical tab order, confusing keyboard users.
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Date Picker: Identified as an image by screen readers, preventing proper data entry.
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Error Prevention: Lack of mechanisms to prevent or correct user errors during form submissions.
Inital Finding & Critical Issues
Initial Findings :
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The website had an original accessibility score of 62%.
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11 critical accessibility issues were identified.
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16 issues passed the initial audit but required further refinement to ensure full compliance.
Critical Issues Identified:
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Screen Reader Incompatibility: User ID and Password fields were not recognized by screen readers.
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Date Picker: The screen reader identified it as an image, preventing data entry.
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Navigation Order: Inconsistent and illogical tab order.
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Alt Text: Missing for images.
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Error Prevention: Lack of mechanisms to prevent or correct user errors.
UX Recommendations ​
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Design Accessibility
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Color Contrast:
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Recommendation: Ensure a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 between text and background. Use tools like contrast checkers during the design process to verify compliance.
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Alt Text:
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Recommendation: Provide descriptive alt text for all images, ensuring screen readers can convey the information to users with visual impairments.
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Mobile Accessibility
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Responsive Design:
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Recommendation: Implement responsive design principles to ensure consistent layout and functionality across various screen sizes and devices.
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Touch Targets:
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Recommendation: Increase the size of touch targets (e.g., buttons and links) to at least 44x44 pixels to make them easier to interact with on touchscreens.
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Document Accessibility
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PDF Accessibility:
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Recommendation: Use proper tagging and structure in PDF documents, including headings, lists, and alt text for images, to make them accessible to screen readers.
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Form Fields:
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Recommendation: Include clear labels and instructions for all form fields within documents to guide users in filling out forms correctly.
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Web Accessibility
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Screen Reader Compatibility:
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Recommendation: Ensure all form fields, especially User ID and Password fields, are properly labeled and recognized by screen readers.
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Navigation Order:
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Recommendation: Maintain a logical and consistent tab order for keyboard navigation, ensuring users can easily move through the interface.
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Date Picker:
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Recommendation: Use accessible date picker components that are correctly identified by screen readers, allowing users to enter dates easily.
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Error Prevention:
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Recommendation: Implement mechanisms to prevent user errors, such as real-time validation and clear error messages. Provide suggestions for correcting errors when they occur.
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Business Impacts of Compliance Research
The ADA & WCAG Level AA compliance assessment conducted for Volkswagen's Corporate Vehicle Fleet Management Registration Application had significant and multifaceted impacts:
Enhanced User Experience
This improvement ensures that all users, regardless of their abilities, can navigate, understand, and interact with the application efficiently and effectively.
Legal Compliance
Adhering to these standards demonstrates Volkswagen's commitment to following legal requirements and protecting the company from potential lawsuits related to accessibility violations.
Increased Market Reach
Making the application accessible broadened Volkswagen's user base. By catering to users with disabilities, Volkswagen tapped into a larger market segment, potentially increasing user engagement and customer loyalty.
Improved Brand Reputation
Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility positioned Volkswagen as a socially responsible and forward-thinking company, enhancing its image in the eyes of customers, partners, and stakeholders.
User Satisfaction and Retention
Improved accessibility is directly correlated with increased user satisfaction. Users who found the application more accessible were likelier to have a positive experience, leading to higher satisfaction rates and better user retention.
Long-term Cost Savings
Addressing accessibility issues early in the design and development process saved Volkswagen from potentially higher costs associated with retrofitting accessibility features later. It also reduced the likelihood of costly legal disputes and settlements related to non-compliance.
The compliance score is expected to improve from the initial 62% to over 95%, ensuring full adherence to ADA and WCAG Level AA standards.
User satisfaction rates could increase by up to 30%, as the application becomes more intuitive and easier to navigate for all users, including those with disabilities.
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Through this project, I gained a deep understanding of the critical role accessibility plays in enhancing user experience. Ensuring digital products are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, significantly improves usability and satisfaction. I also learned the importance of a comprehensive approach to accessibility, combining automated tools and manual checks to capture both broad and nuanced issues.
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Additionally, I realized that accessibility is an ongoing process, requiring continuous monitoring, testing, and updates to maintain compliance with evolving standards and user needs.
Finally, the project emphasized the importance of proactively integrating accessibility into design systems and development processes, ensuring long-term compliance and inclusivity.
What I learned
Conclusion
The ADA & WCAG Level AA compliance research significantly impacted Volkswagen by enhancing user experience, ensuring legal compliance, expanding market reach, and improving brand reputation. These positive outcomes not only benefited users with disabilities but also provided Volkswagen with strategic advantages, long-term cost savings, and a future-proof approach to digital accessibility.