e4usa Curriculum Accessibility Conformance Report - WCAG Edition
Based on VPAT® Version 2.5, November 2023
- Name of Product: Engineering for US All Curriculum 2024-2025
- Report Date: April 2025
- Product Description: e4usa Curriculum is a standardized educational curriculum for pre-college students to learn and demonstrate engineering principles, skills and practices. The curriculum incorporates an authentic, design-based experience and affords students the opportunity to earn college credit at participating colleges and universities. e4usa curriculum is hosted on the TeachEngineering.org website (https://www.teachengineering.org/).
- Contact information: info@e4usa.org
- Notes:
- This evaluation applies specifically to the e4usa curriculum, which is hosted on the TeachEngineering platform at https://www.teachengineering.org/. This material is in the form of documents, slides, and videos.
- The scope of this evaluation is limited to the functionality required to browse, interact with, and download e4usa curriculum material. It does not include an evaluation of the broader TeachEngineering website beyond these specific functions.
- The e4usa curriculum incorporates third-party technologies, including Microsoft Word, PDFs, and Slides, for presenting its content. This evaluation is limited to the accessibility of the functions required to browse and interact with the e4usa curriculum materials. It does not extend to the accessibility of these third-party technologies beyond their use in this context.
- Table 3: Success Criteria, Level AAA has been omitted because the e4usa curriculum has not been evaluated for WCAG 2.0 Level AAA conformance.
- Any known accessibility issues are outlined in the tables below.
Evaluation Methods Used: Conformance with the listed accessibility standards has been evaluated by Engineering for US All using a combination of analysis tools and manual testing with assistive technologies. The tools used in this evaluation include, but are not limited to:
- Chrome DevTools for inspecting accessibility properties,
- WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool for automated analysis, and
- VoiceOver on macOS for screen reader testing.
Additional tools and further analysis will be conducted to ensure accessibility across a wider range of assistive technologies, providing a more thorough evaluation of the e4usa curriculum.
Applicable Standards/Guidelines
This report covers the degree of conformance for the following accessibility standard/guidelines:
| Standard/Guideline | Included In Report |
|---|---|
| Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 | Level A (Yes ) Level AA (Yes ) Level AAA (No ) |
| Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 | Level A ( Yes ) Level AA ( Yes ) Level AAA ( No ) |
| Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 | Level A ( No ) Level AA ( No ) Level AAA ( No ) |
Terms
The terms used in the Conformance Level information are defined as follows:
- Supports: The functionality of the product has at least one method that meets the criterion without known defects or meets with equivalent facilitation.
- Partially Supports: Some functionality of the product does not meet the criterion.
- Does Not Support: The majority of product functionality does not meet the criterion.
- Not Applicable: The criterion is not relevant to the product.
WCAG 2.1 Report
Note: When reporting on conformance with the WCAG 2.1 Success Criteria, they are scoped for full pages, complete processes, and accessibility-supported ways of using technology as documented in the WCAG 2.0 Conformance Requirements.
Table 1: Success Criteria, Level A
| Criteria | Conformance Level | Remarks and Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1.1 Non-text Content (Level A) | Supports | Exceptions: Some instances where TeachEngineering and e4usa logos missing Alt (Alternative text) Some slides provided with images with no alternative text available. few instances where buttons have no text value to describe the functionality. |
| 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) (Level A) | Support | There is no audio-only or video-only (prerecorded) content. All multimedia content includes both audio and video, so this criterion is not relevant to the product. |
| 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) (Level A) | Does Not Support | Auto-generated captions are often not fully accurate. |
| 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) (Level A) | Partially Support | Auto-generated captions on YouTube videos do not provide an audio description of the visual content in the video. However, videos do not contain crucial visual information that is not described in the audio. |
| 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A) | Partially Supports | Issues: Some interactive elements, such as certain links, are not identified as links by screen readers like Voiceover. As a result, users of assistive technologies may not be aware of the interactive nature of these elements, limiting their ability to fully navigate and interact with the site. TeachEngineering subscribe form: screen readers doesn’t indicate that this is the subscribing form to the TeachEngineering Newsletter which is not related to the e4usa curriculum. Tables: Missing tables headers on TeachEngineering and Word document handouts. |
| 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence (Level A) | Supports | Exceptions: Few instances where a heading level is missing. |
| 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics (Level A) | Supports | Although thread categories in the "Quick Look" section are identified by color, the curriculum remains fully understandable and operable. In the main content, descriptive text and icons accompany the threads, ensuring accessibility for all users. Similarly, the ‘Curriculum in Unit’ menu uses color to categorize Units, Lessons, and Activities, but indentation and page titles provide sufficient context to ensure the content is accessible without relying solely on color. |
| 1.4.1 Use of Color (Level A) | Supports | The curriculum uses four colors (Red, Yellow, Blue, Green) to represent different categories of content. However, each category is also clearly labeled with its corresponding text (e.g., "Red Thread: Discover Engineering"), ensuring that color is not the sole means of conveying information. |
| 1.4.2 Audio Control (Level A) | Supports | There is no audio content played automatically on pages. |
| 2.1.1 Keyboard (Level A) | Partially Supports | Exception: "Engineering Connection" section, the first link cannot be activated using the Enter or Space keys, limiting accessibility for keyboard users. The second link in the same section works as expected. |
| 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap (Level A) | Supports | All sections allow navigation without trapping the user. |
| 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts (Level A 2.1) | Supports | The website does not implement any single-character keyboard shortcuts that trigger actions. Therefore, there are no concerns regarding unintentional activation of actions via keyboard input. |
| 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable (Level A) | Supports | The curriculum and TeachEngineering website does not include any content with time limits. |
| 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide (Level A) | Not Applicable | The curriculum on TeachEngineering website does not contain any content that moves, blinks, scrolls, hides, or auto-updates. |
| 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold (Level A) | Not Applicable | e4usa curriculum and TeachEngineering website does not contain anything that flashes. |
| 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks (Level A) | Partially Supports | TeachEngineering website does not include a "Skip to main content" link. However, it provides structured HTML landmarks and defined headings, allowing users to navigate and bypass repeated blocks of content. |
| 2.4.2 Page Titled (Level A) | Supports | - |
| 2.4.3 Focus Order (Level A) | Supports | - |
| 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) (Level A) | Partially Supports | Issues: NGSS link under Educational Standard is not identified as link by screen readers in different pages. Tables: When navigating through table cells that contain links or text in brackets, screen readers read the content in separate parts rather than as a continuous sentence. |
| 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures (Level A 2.1) | Not Applicable | TeachEngineering website and e4usa curriculum don’t require gestures. |
| 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation (Level A 2.1) | Supports | Actions are triggered on the "up-event" (when the pointer is released) and users can cancel an action by moving the pointer away before releasing. |
| 2.5.3 Label in Name (Level A 2.1) | Supports | - |
| 2.5.4 Motion Actuation (Level A 2.1) | Supports | e4usa curriculum does not rely on motion-based input. |
| 3.1.1 Language of Page (Level A) | Supports | The primary language of the page is programmatically set to English. |
| 3.2.1 On Focus (Level A) | Supports | - |
| 3.2.2 On Input (Level A) | Supports | Changes of context do not occur automatically upon user input. |
| 3.3.1 Error Identification (Level A) | Supports | The "Subscribe to TeachEngineering newsletter" form does not provide error messages for invalid inputs or confirmation of successful submission, however, this form is not related to the e4usa curriculum. |
| 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (Level A) | Supports | - |
| 4.1.1 Parsing (Level A) WCAG 2.0 and 2.1 – Always answer ‘Supports’ WCAG 2.2 (obsolete and removed) - Does not apply | Supports | For WCAG 2.0 and 2.1, the September 2023 errata update indicates this criterion is always supported. See the WCAG 2.0 Editorial Errata and the WCAG 2.1 Editorial Errata. |
| 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (Level A) | Partially Supports | Few instances where links are identified to the user as headers. |
Table 2: Success Criteria, Level AA
| Criteria | Conformance Level | Remarks and Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2.4 Captions (Live) (Level AA) | Not Applicable | There is no live content. |
| 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) (Level AA) | Supports | All critical visuals in videos are described by the speaker on the video. |
| 1.3.4 Orientation (Level AA 2.1 only) | Supports | All content does not restrict its view and operation to a single display orientation. |
| 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose (Level AA 2.1 only) | Supports | Some input fields for user information, such as email, are not programmatically identified on the "Subscribe to TeachEngineering newsletter" form. However, this form is not related to the e4usa curriculum. |
| 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA) | Does Not Support | Does Not Support on: All text links Navigation bar /Content menu text were white on light blue background is used green text on white background |
| 1.4.4 Resize text (Level AA) | Supports | Users can resize text up to 200% without any loss of content or functionality. |
| 1.4.5 Images of Text (Level AA) | Supports | Exception: A graph on Unit 2. |
| 1.4.10 Reflow (Level AA 2.1 only) | Supports | Exception: Navigation bar. |
| 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast (Level AA 2.1 only) | Supports | All Interactive elements such as buttons and icons maintain a constant ratio of at least 3:1 against their background. |
| 1.4.12 Text Spacing (Level AA 2.1 only) | Does Not Support | The default line-height is set to 1.429, which is slightly below the recommended 1.5 times the font size. Other text spacing properties, such as letter-spacing, word-spacing, and paragraph-spacing, are set to their default values based on the fonts used, which include "Nunito Sans, Sans Serif, Open Sans, Arial." Adjustments may be needed to fully support users who require increased spacing. |
| 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus (Level AA 2.1 only) | Does Not Support | Additional information on a popover indicated by icon (info circle) is hoverable and persistent on hover. It does not support on focus ‘screen readers’. |
| 2.4.5 Multiple Ways (Level AA) | Supports | The TeachEngineering website provides breadcrumbs for navigation, a navigation bar, additionally, unit lessons links are available on all pages. However, there is no dedicated search function for the e4usa curriculum, and the general search tool for the whole site lacks filtering capabilities specific to the curriculum content. |
| 2.4.6 Headings and Labels (Level AA) | Partially Supports | Issues: While all headings are descriptive, some headings are not organized hierarchically. |
| 2.4.7 Focus Visible (Level AA) | Supports | Focus is visible using ‘tab’ on the keyboard and while using screen readers. |
| 3.1.2 Language of Parts (Level AA) | Supports | - |
| 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation (Level AA) | Supports | Navigation elements, including the main menu, sub-menu and footer, appear in the same location and order across all pages. |
| 3.2.4 Consistent Identification (Level AA) | Supports | All interactive components, such as buttons and icons, that perform the same functionality are consistently identified using the same labels and visual styles across all pages. |
| 3.3.3 Error Suggestion (Level AA) | Supports | The e4usa curriculum does not include user input. The TeachEngineering subscription form does not validate inputs, but this form is not related to the curriculum or e4usa. TeachEngineering uses a third-party product for comments, which supports validation and provides suggestions when errors are detected. |
| 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) (Level AA) | Not Applicable | The e4usa curriculum does not involve the submission of legal, financial, or sensitive personal data. |
| 4.1.3 Status Messages (Level AA 2.1 only) | Not Applicable | The e4usa curriculum does not include any dynamic status messages such as form validation errors, success notifications, or other system updates. |
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