Technology can help in different ways: 

• HR Tech solutions for Managing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion –  Can provide organizations with insights that can inform better HR decision-making and can ensure that all employees have equal access to HR information and resources, regardless of their location or abilities. 
• Making HR Tech accessible – It is critical for organizations to accommodate employees with disability in their organization. This includes making the everyday solutions that organizations are using for employees to meet accessibility standards and guidelines like Web Content Accessibility Guideline.  
• Job Accommodations – Companies can now provide necessary accommodations for employees with a disability that make it easier for them to work in a comfortable environment. This is especially important when it comes to providing access to assistive technology and resources to assist employees to become effective and productive at the workplace. 

HR Tech Trends  

Here are the five important HR Tech trends that have started making an impact on making workplaces more accessible and inclusive. They support organizations to better engage with their employees, streamline their processes, improve productivity, and create a better working environment for everyone involved including employees with disabilities. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)  

ML and AI are transforming businesses’ operations by reducing administrative overhead and improving efficiency. ML can help streamline processes, automate everyday tasks, and improve data accuracy, while AI can be used to make decisions based on data analysis.  

This can be especially beneficial for employees with disabilities who may not have access to traditional tools or resources. With ML and AI, they can work more efficiently, without having to worry about the manual labor of traditional methods.  

Microsoft has added live captions to PowerPoint as part of its AI-powered features. This feature automatically generates real-time captions for the spoken words in a presentation. These captions make it easy for the audience to follow along especially people who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

The Business Wire reports that the Global Artificial Intelligence in HR Market is estimated to be USD 3.89 Bn in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 17.61 Bn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 35.26%.  

Virtual and Hybrid Work 

The demand for HR tech solutions that support remote work and virtual technologies has increased and is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote working tools and technologies are becoming more popular as companies strive to provide employees with greater accessibility and flexibility.  

These tools enable companies to connect with their employees regardless of their physical location. They also make it easier for companies to provide accommodations for employees with disabilities, allowing them to stay connected and productive even when they are not physically present in the office. 

Zoom video conferencing and online meeting platform is a popular tool for virtual & hybrid work due to its versatility and ease of use. It is compatible with screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver supporting employees with visual impairment to access the platform and participate in online meetings.  

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Solutions 

Companies are investing in HR tech solutions that help them track and improve their DEI efforts, including tools for monitoring and analyzing diversity data, and promoting equitable hiring practices. Companies using HR tech solutions for DEI have reported improvements in their ability to track and analyze DEI data, allowing them to make more informed decisions on how to improve their DEI efforts. 

The study from RedThread Research, found the number of technology vendors serving the DE&I market has grown by 87 percent since 2019, and DE&I vendors experienced an 82% CAGR over a 4-year span. 

Gamification & Engagement 

HR tech solutions are incorporating gamification elements to increase employee engagement and motivation, and these solutions have become increasingly popular in employee training. By incorporating gamification elements, these solutions create a more engaging and enjoyable work environment, leading to increased employee satisfaction and motivation. 

As per the report from TalentLMS, 83% of employees who undergo gamified training are more motivated at work. However, accessibility is an important aspect to consider when designing or procuring gamification tools for the workplace. It is also important for companies to have policies and processes in place to support employees with disabilities and ensure that they are able to fully participate in gamification initiatives. 

The Global Gamification Market size is expected to reach $58.8 billion by 2028, rising at a market growth of 26.8% CAGR during the forecast period 2022 -2028 

Employee Well-being & Mental Health 

Well-Being and Mental Health are no longer a buzzword. These are becoming increasingly important areas of focus for companies and HR departments, and HR tech solutions are being developed to support these efforts. Companies are providing employees with access to mental health support, and HR Tech solutions should ensure that they support companies create a more inclusive and supportive work environment with their solutions.  

Conclusion 

As per the report by Fortune Business Insights, the global Human Resource Technology Market Size is projected to reach USD 39.90 billion in 2029, at a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period, 2022-2029. 

Technology is revolutionizing the way HR approaches workplace accessibility and inclusion. Companies today are recognizing the importance of accessibility in HR tech and are taking steps to ensure that their HR tech tools are accessible to all employees. This includes conducting accessibility assessments, implementing accessibility standards and guidelines, and working with accessibility vendors to ensure that their HR tech tools meet accessibility requirements. In today’s competitive business environment, investing in accessible HR tech can definitely be a competitive advantage. 

Get in touch with our accessibility consultant to help you incorporate accessibility into your HR Tech Solutions or write to us sales@barrierbreak.com.  

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The importance of accessibility in HR Tech stems from the fact that it is a basic requirement for any business looking to meet the needs of its employees.  Accessibility of software and hardware used to manage the human resources function in organizations needs to be at the core of the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives.

A lot of companies are thinking about accessibility in the procurement process. So, start making a roadmap if you want to be considered. Your HR tools become a differentiator if its accessible. A lot of companies take note of that.

These are times where:

1. We have to move fast but ensure that we don’t ignore HR Tech accessibility.
2. Budgets will be scarce, and we need to find ways to do more with less.
3. Teams would be stretched to make it happen but might not always have the resources needed.

At BarrierBreak, we understand this, and we also believe this is an opportunity to make a difference.

We are the leaders in offshore digital accessibility specializing in Accessibility Testing, VPAT Creation, Accessibility Consulting and Accessible Documents. BarrierBreak’s People First approach includes people with disabilities as a part of our testing process. Every team consists of people with disabilities that are trained accessibility testers and specialists.

Come and learn about the packages to support your Accessibility needs. Meet our team at Booth 928 at HR Technology Conference & Exposition, September 13-16, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas.

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In this blog we are trying to answer this question, so let us first start with understanding what VPAT is all about.

What is a VPAT? 

A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a document about the accessibility of a product conforming to the Section 508 Standards. It can be considered as an accessibility conformance report for different Information and Communication technology (ICT) products such as applications, software, websites, electronic  products and documentation.

This document states, how a particular product meets or conforms to the Revised 508 Standards for IT accessibility. This document is published by the product vendor itself and it contains the details about each aspect of the Section 508 requirements and where does the product stand with regards to accessibility on each criterion. 

The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) officially hosts the VPAT template document. ITI offers VPAT in four different editions enabling ICT vendors to create accessibility conformance report on the standards appropriate for their markets. 

• VPAT 2.4Rev EU (February 2020): It is created by keeping in mind the European Union’s “Accessibility requirements suitable for public procurement of ICT products and services in Europe”. 
• VPAT 2.4Rev 508 (February 2020): It is created by keeping in mind the U.S. Federal accessibility standard. 
• VPAT 2.4Rev WCAG (February 2020): It is created by keeping in mind Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. 
• VPAT 2.4Rev INT (February 2020): This edition incorporates all the above 3 standards/guidelines.

The latest VPAT version is VPAT 2.4 . Check out our blog on What is new in VPAT 2.4?

A VPAT document can consist reports based on different accessibility standards and guidelines as follows: 

• Section 508 (Refresh) 
• WCAG 2.0  
• WCAG 2.1  
• European Accessibility standards EN 301549 

So, make sure you always use the latest version VPAT 2.4 for creation of report. 

Now, back to the actual question about creating a VPAT for your technology product, should you or should you not? 

US Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires government agencies to make ICT accessible to people with disabilities. When you are a ICT company dealing with federal agencies it is mandatory to provide a VPAT. 

Even though it is a vendor’s own free will to provide a VPAT, the simple and wise answer would be, Yes! Yes, you should create a VPAT for your technology product. Since the government agencies opt for a product with VPAT, it might be fruitful for your product to have a VPAT as it places your product into the arena where the Federal procurements are made. Without a VPAT it is quite possible that you are losing money as your product might be as good as other products available in the market. 

As a VPAT vendor, BarrierBreak works with our customers to create an effective and complete VPAT and ACR of the product. Discuss your VPAT Strategy with an Accessibility Expert today. 

Let us now understand what VPAT is not all about.

What VPAT is not all about? 

• Companies might be hesitant in creating a VPAT report for a product as they might think their product will be shown in a bad light. Such is not the case. It is important to know that a VPAT is not a black and white statement about the conformance of a product. In fact, it is a report on the overall level of conformance of the product.  
• VPAT is not about listing all the issues, but it is about giving the overview of the successes and challenges found in the product. 

What are the benefits of creating a VPAT? 

VPAT indicates a product’s compliance with Section 508 standards. It is a crucial document for both companies as well as buyers. 

• Helps to boost the sales and thereby increase the revenue. 
• Helps the company recognize the accessibility gaps and challenges of the product and work towards it. VPAT acts as a measure to make the product accessible for which the employees of the company can work towards a common goal i.e. developing accessible product. Using the VPAT report the company can look into the areas where the product needs improvement in accessibility and work towards the quality of the product constantly. 
• Helps buyers in making an informed decision before procuring an ICT product. VPAT helps the buyers to understand a product’s level of accessibility conformance. Makes the procuring process hassle free as the buyer can get all the accessibility details through the VPAT instead of reading from the product brochure.  
• Helps buyers to compare conformance of similar products and choose a product that best meets accessibility standards and the organization’s functional and legal requirements. In case of a conundrum, buyers can choose for an equally accessible product when a required accessible product is not available. 
• Allows companies to provide documentation and an explanation on the level of conformance of their product. A drafted VPAT becomes a product conformance report which is an example of a company’s accessibility standard. Another benefit of VPAT is that it tells the buyers that the company is aware about the accessibility challenges of the product and is working towards making it equally accessible for all users.  

All in all, VPAT for a product benefits the organization in terms of monetary gains and builds trust and reputation. 

Where do I get my VPAT done? 

A VPAT can be created by an organization’s internal accessibility team. However, it is recommended to hire external party audit teams for the creation of VPAT. Outsourcing the VPAT ensures that the VPAT document is accurate and unbiased. Hiring a VPAT vendor or external accessibility agencies would ensure an accurate and good quality VPAT document. Since VPAT is a legal document for a product, you should aim for accuracy. 

Make sure the VPAT document you create is available in accessible formats such as PDF, Word, HTML, etc. 

In conclusion it is incredibly beneficial to create a VPAT document for your technology products. 

If you are looking out for a VPAT vendor to author VPAT for your product, reach out to us at sales@barrierbreak.com. 

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VPAT 2.0 was expanded to include the leading ICT accessibility standards, the Revised Section 508 (US), EN 301 549 (EU) and W3C WAI’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC) develops the VPAT and ensures that it is updated with the latest developments happening in different ICT accessibility standards and guidelines.

VPAT comprises of different Editions, WCAG, Section 508, EN 301 549 and International (Int) that include different accessibility standards and guidelines. The INT Edition of VPAT includes all the 3 leading ICT accessibility standards.

VPAT 2.4 was revised in February 2020 and was made available for download on March 7, 2020. Discuss your VPAT Strategy with an Accessibility Expert today. 

VPAT 2.4 Updates

Some of the key changes in VPAT 2.4 are:

• Template date: template date is now removed from the document as it created confusion with the Report date. The date will be there in the filename and only version information will be present in the document.
• Edition specific instruction: Instructions are changed based on the Edition, for e.g. in the WCAG Edition, only instruction related to WCAG is available.
• Table heading: A table missing heading in the previous version is now been added.
• EN 301 549 version: Links and tables of the EU and INT Editions are updated to reflect the new version of EN 301 459.

All in all, major update in VPAT 2.4 is associated with the EN 301 549 which reflects the new version of the standard and the other updates are relatively minor ones. So if you are focusing on the European Markets, time to update your VPATs.

We would love to hear from you! Share your inputs with us using the comments box below!

As a VPAT vendor, we provide VPAT audit support to our customers by conducting Section 508 testing and assisting them to create a VPAT and ACR for their product wherein we provide a third-party view of the product. If you are looking for an external accessibility consulting agency to author or update the VPAT for your product or service, write to us at sales@barrierbreak.com!

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Even if we look at the settlements like Bank of America California and Florida Agreement (2000), Best Buy POS Settlement Agreement (2010) or E*Trade Settlement Agreement Amendment (2018) on Lainey Feingold’s website, it is evident that the fintech sector will have to adopt web accessibility.

Today, the fintech space is seeing a lot of innovation. It is time for them to adopt web accessibility early on in their product development. A good starting point for fintech digital solutions is to start with adopting Web Content Accessibility Guideline.

3 questions to ask to ensure Fintech solutions are thinking accessibility:

1. Does your potential customer include people with disabilities? With a Billion people with disabilities which constitutes 15% of the world population, this is a user base that you really can’t ignore!
2. Does your product design consider the principles of inclusive design? Do you understand the needs of diverse groups of users. Think people with challenges with Vision, Hearing, Thinking, Reach & Dexterity & Mobility. Learn more about Inclsuive Design
3. Do you test with people from diverse groups? Why not include people with disabilities as a part of your focus groups and user testing!

Fintech companies, it’s time to understand the market potential and build accessibility as a differentiator in your fintech products. Reach out to us via Email, or Book an appointment. We can work with your teams to build an inclusive fintech product.

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At BarrierBreak, we believe that accessibility needs to come at the point of the start right at the requirement gathering stage.

Our accessibility consulting services provide you with:

• People that know accessibility, live and breathe accessibility and can assist your internal teams to think accessibility first! If you need us to be a part of meetings, being available on call, or just a sounding board, we can provide people to support.
• Process Integration is key. Bring us in to decide how to add accessibility to your existing processes whether it is requirement gathering, design, development, user experience or testing, we can recommend how to bring accessibility at each step of the way.
• Product that is accessible. Build accessibility features and support into your products. Get the edge over your competitors by embedding accessibility into the product.

Let us help you to think accessibility first, write to us at sales@barrierbreak.com about knowing more about our accessibility services.

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The extension came about as a result of internal conversations we had regarding finding accessibility issues in the CSS files. You see, there are plenty of tools which check for accessibility issues in the HTML code and the generated code in general, but finding one which checked for the actual CSS files linked to in a page were few and far between. Since it’s a bit of an unexplored area, we felt it’s worth contributing to it.

To be clear, this extension checks the actual CSS files (and any internal css style rules) itself, not the generated code. We took this approach because some of the things we needed to check weren’t possible by just checking the generated output (for example, checking if the author has specified font sizes in pixels or not – you can’t with any certainty determine that with just checking the computed code with javascript).

Here is how to use the extension:

1. Install the extension in Chrome by going to it’s page in the chrome web store.
2. Once installed, open a site in a new tab (or refresh an existing one so that the extension takes effect there)
3. Open up the chrome developer tools (either by right-clicking and selecting ‘inspect element’ or by pressing the appropriate keyboard shortcut in your OS to open it).
4. Make sure that the devtools is docked inside the browser window, and not a separate window. (we plan to address this issue in further updates)
5. Go to the panel in the devtools which says ‘BarrierBreak CSS Accessibility Tool’
6. Once there, click on the button which says ‘start investigating’.

Once done, it will give you a summary of the rules (and their associated WCAG level) it has checked and the number of potentially problematic issues it has identified for each of them. You can then individually drill down to see the CSS file and the associated CSS rule which has the problem. You can also optionally export the results in CSV and JSON formats.

Note: It’s important to note that the extension is in alpha right now, and very raw. However, we wanted to release it and get feedback on whether we’re on the right track with this, and what other features you would like in the extension. In further updates, we’ll be working on making it available for other browsers as well.

The rules are sourced from the CSS Techniques for WCAG 2.0 document. In further updates we’ll have more, but for this alpha release, it checks five of the rules listed in there. Let’s go through them.

CSS Background Images

This comes down to Level A section 1.1.1 (Using CSS to include decorative images). It detects any CSS background images defined in your CSS files and just flags them to remind you to check whether those images are really just for decorative purposes only or not.

CSS Background images should only be used for decorative purposes, and if it actually has a meaning or significance beyond just decoration, then its a good idea to not use a CSS background image and use an <img> element (which appropriate alt text) instead.

Relative Font Sizes

There has recently been a lot of debate online on whether it’s fine nowadays to use pixels or not with regards to accessibility. I personally am still in the camp of using relative font sizes. You can read more about it by reading JP de Vries’ excellent medium article on the topic.

Relative container sizes

Using non flexible container sizes are also generally not a great idea. The extension detects whether you have any container sizes in pixels and advises you to take a re-look at them. Ideally they should be in percentages or other flexible container size units.

Text alignment and line spacing

These are AAA level rules but we still wanted to include them in. One is about making sure that the text is not justified and is either right or left aligned instead.

With line-spacing, it checks whether it is between 1.5 and 2, and if not, then it flags them. Right now it checks all text, not just paragraphs (I’m working on improving this so that it only focusses on paragraphs not things like headings etc in the future). You can read more about the reasons underlying both of these rules in the understanding the success criteria document.

Feedback

We’ll really appreciate feedback on the tool. Is this something you’ll find useful? What would you like to add or change in this? We’d love to know. You can send your feedback to innovation@barrierbreak.com 

We’ll appreciate all the feedback we can get!

Legal stuff: This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the Creative Commons Attribution NoDerivs (CC-ND) license

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The task at hand to implement accessibility is quite daunting for companies, since they need to look at how to implement accessibility in their legacy system, new technologies in development as well as third party solutions that are often used.

Some of the challenges that organizations face in implementing accessibility and how we help overcome these challenges at BarrierBreak:

• Understanding of Accessibility – Identifying vendors who understand accessibility can be challenge. For most organizations accessibility is just one of the many offerings in software testing. At BarrierBreak, accessibility is our key focus area. Our teams live and breathe accessibility testing, it is our priority.
• Access to talented teams – Our teams are trained in accessibility standards and guidelines. In addition, we are constantly learning the new techniques and technologies and how they impact accessibility. We believe in working with people who have experienced the impact of accessibility and 75% of our team includes people with disabilities.
• Ability to Scale the team – Often one of the biggest challenges in implementing accessibility is the need to increase and decrease resources as per the requirements. We are a rapidly growing team of 120+ accessibility testers and experts with focus in various accessibility solutions. We provide the flexibility due to which you can start with a 3 people team and scale based on your requirements.
• Access to technology – You don’t want to wait for the newest version of an operating system to get your product tested. Our accessibility lab has the latest assistive technology, wide variety of devices across various operating systems, providing the flexibility to provide a large number of environments for testing.
• Liasoning with internal teams, vendors and customers – Tired of being the go-between and explaining accessibility to different stakeholders. Our teams work as extensions of your own accessibility team. We work with internal product teams, vendors and even customers to provide accessibility solutions.

At BarrierBreak, we setup dedicated teams that work for our customers and help them understand accessibility. Our model provides the benefit of offshoring model by lowering costs but ensuring high level of quality.

If you are looking for an integrated model to deliver accessibility solutions, connect with us.  You can write to us at info@barrierbreak.com to schedule some time to explore how we can work together.

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