Hi guys,

I tendered for a project a while back planning on using EE for the CMS. I have received the following question-

“The most importing thing is, that the basic CMS (Content Management System) is WAI compatible. There is free software in the web for accessible websites so this would not cause any extra costs. It only demands the knowledge of the web designer.”

So basically the prospective client wants to know how accessible the control panel of EE is in terms of day to day management of an EE powered website, perhaps using assistive technologies such as a screen reader etc.

Have you guys undertaken any testing or auditing to determine the accessibility of the control panel?

Any idea how it stands up against WAI Guidelines?

Would it be these guidelines that would apply to EE?

http://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/atag.php

Am I correct in thinking that I would also need to check the accessibility of common 3rd party addons I was planning to use (Wygwam, Structure etc..) by contacting their respective developers?

Thanks in Advance,

Neil

Hello welshfusion,

Thank you for using the ExpressionEngine forums!

We have not run an audit on the Control Panel against the guidelines that you have listed. There is a lot that we do by default, but an audit has not been run.

Can you clarify what it is you are looking for specifically? You mentioned assistive technologies like a screen reader. Is there anything else?

It would be a good idea to check with the developers of the add-ons that you are going to use to see if they are going to meet the requirements you have for your project.

I look forward to your response.

Cheers,

Hi Shane,

Thanks for your speedy response!

I’ve forwarded your comments to my prospective client who will hopefully provide some more insights into their exact requirements.

As soon as I get an answer Ill post it here.

Personally, i’d be interested to find out more about your internal testing strategies for CP accessibility in terms of:
a. Adding and editing content using a Screen Reader
b. Adding and editing content using keyboard only navigation (and possibly other non mouse technology such as Switches)
c. Any color related issues e.g. colour contrasts, issues for people with colour blindness etc

Thanks,
Neil

Hi welshfusion,

I can’t address all of your CP accessibility questions, but I can say that as a very colorblind (red/green) web developer, I have had no issues at all with color issues in the CP.

cheers,
Jeff

Hello welshfusion,

That sounds good, let us know when your client responds.

I will see about getting your questions into the hands of the right person and follow up with you.

Cheers,