Web accessibility compliance is a requirement of all new websites developed at Cornell University. Custom Development offers web accessibility services where trained individuals audit websites and applications for conformance to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Web accessibility audits

Custom Development is the university’s primary source for accessibility audits. We review many high profile websites across the university to ensure they maintain conformance to WCAG. We also review web based applications when they are requested through the IT Statement of Need process.

Audit Process

Our audit process involves different tools and techniques to cover the full breadth of WCAG. Examples of this include:

• Siteimprove providing a high level overview of the site’s accessibility conformance.
• Keyboard only input ensuring users unable to take advantage of cursor or touch based navigation can interact with all of the functionality.
• Screen readers presenting the contents and semantics of the content in audio format.
• Color Contrast analysis ensuring that text and important interface icons are sufficiently visible.

Our testing is consistent no matter who is performing the audit. If you are curious about our process, you may view our web accessibility testing process document.

Audit Documents

Custom Development findings are provided in two documents:

• The checklist spreadsheet lists every test conducted. Each is assigned “Pass,” “Fail,” or “NA” scores. It highlights what is wrong, why it is wrong, strategies for resolving, and sometimes a screenshot to better communicate the issue. You may preview a blank spreadsheet checklist on Google Drive.
• The summary document contains only issues that were assigned “Fail” grades. A blank preview of the summary document can also be found on Google Drive.

Web accessibility during development

Everything Custom Development produces is fully accessible. Our process does not simply involve “tacking it on” at the end of a project. The developers and designers check in with our accessibility experts to ensure that what they are building will be WCAG compliant.

Our design and development process ensures that:

• Design concepts have sufficient color contrast of text and interface elements.
• All custom functionalities (i.e., accordions, carousels etc…) are accessible.
• Plugins or modules are compliant with accessibility standards. Any that are not will be replaced or remediated.
• Quality Assurance involves a full accessibility audit by a trained auditor. Our developers will then fix any lingering issues that may exist prior to launch.
  • Please note, unless the project agreement states otherwise, accessibility issues resulting from content entry are the responsibility of the customer to fix.

Remediation

After an audit, issues typically need to be fixed. To assist, we offer optional remediation for a fee. Scope can vary from consulting time to performing all of the fixes. Please note that Custom Development will not fix content entry related issues as part of our remediation service, but we can provide consulting time and training to your content managers.

Web accessibility trainings

We regularly offer accessibility trainings covering a breadth of topics. They are free and offered through CULearn. Once you sign in, search Web Accessibility and register for any of the courses you wish to participate in.