WO2024059961A1

WO2024059961A1 - Automated accessibility assessment tool

Info

Publication number: WO2024059961A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/119560
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arpitha SHETTY; Jocelyn AQUA; Jieli WANG; Minhua BAO
Original assignee: Pricewaterhousecoopers Llp
Priority date: 2022-09-19
Filing date: 2022-09-19
Publication date: 2024-03-28

Abstract

Systems and methods for automated assessment of digital accessibility are provided. A system is provided for scanning digital assets - e.g., web interfaces, web apps, etc. - in order to generate an assessment as to whether and to what extent a digital asset complies with one or more digital accessibility criteria. The system displays a visual indication, including for example one or more visualizations, indicating which digital accessibility criteria and or are not met.

Description

AUTOMATED ACCESSIBILITY ASSESSMENT TOOL

FIELD

This relates generally to accessibility assessment, and more specifically to automated assessment of digital accessibility for digital assets.

BACKGROUND

Digital accessibility criteria may include criteria for accessibility of an interface (e.g., a GUI) , for example as defined by Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards. The system may be configured to determine compliance with A, AA, and/or AAA WAG guidelines. The system may include one or more rules databases and one or more rules engines configured to allow rules embodying the digital accessibility criteria to be applied to a digital asset. The application of the rules to the digital asset may generate output data indicating how and to what extent the digital asset complies with the one or more digital accessibility criteria.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods for automated assessment of digital accessibility are provided. A system is provided for scanning digital assets –e.g., web interfaces, web apps, etc. –in order to generate an assessment as to whether and to what extent a digital asset complies with one or more digital accessibility criteria.

In some embodiments, a system for assessing digital accessibility for digital assets is provided, the system comprising one or more processors and memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to: receive a digital asset; scan the digital asset to generate output data indicating whether one or more digital accessibility criteria are met by the digital asset; and cause display of a visual indication of at least a part of the output data indicating whether the one or more digital accessibility criteria are met.

In some embodiments of the system, receiving the digital asset comprises receiving a file comprising the digital asset.

In some embodiments of the system, receiving the digital asset comprises receiving an indication of a location at which the digital asset is stored.

In some embodiments of the system, receiving the digital asset comprises retrieving the digital asset via a crawling operation.

In some embodiments of the system, scanning the digital asset comprises scanning source code of the digital asset.

In some embodiments of the system, scanning the digital asset comprises scanning the digital asset without performing code-building, compiling, or rendering for the digital asset.

In some embodiments of the system, scanning the digital asset comprises: generating a processed version of the digital asset by applying one or more techniques from the group of: code-building, compiling, and rendering; and scanning the processed version of the digital asset.

In some embodiments of the system, the generated output data indicates a severity of an issue for a digital accessibility criteria that is not met by the digital asset.

In some embodiments of the system, the generated output data indicates a portion of code for the digital asset that does not comply with one or more digital accessibility.

In some embodiments of the system, the generated output data indicates a portion of a graphical user interface of the digital asset that does not comply with one or more digital accessibility criteria.

In some embodiments of the system, the instructions cause the system to cause the system to generate and cause display of an indication of one or more adjustments to rectify a failure to comply with one or more of the digital accessibility criteria.

In some embodiments of the system, scanning the digital asset is performed in accordance with a schedule.

In some embodiments of the system, the instructions cause the system to: detect one or more trigger conditions; and perform scanning the digital asset in accordance with detecting the one or more trigger conditions.

In some embodiments of the system, receiving the digital asset comprises performing regressive scanning of one or more sources from the group of: a network, a file system, a website, and an application.

In some embodiments of the system, the instructions are configured to cause the system to display a prompt for a user to perform a manual assessment of digital accessibility for a portion of the digital asset.

In some embodiments of the system, causing display of a visual indication of at least a part of the output data comprises causing display of a report.

In some embodiments of the system, causing display of a visual indication of at least a part of the output data comprises causing display of an alert.

In some embodiments of the system, causing display of a visual indication of at least a part of the output data comprises causing display of a visualization of at least a part of the output data.

In some embodiments of the system, the visualization visualizes issues for digital accessibility criteria that are not met by the digital asset by categorizing the issues according to severity.

In some embodiments of the system, the visualization visualizes issues for digital accessibility criteria that are not met by the digital asset by categorizing the issues according to type.

In some embodiments of the system, the instructions are configured to cause the system to provide built-in application authentication.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions for assessing digital accessibility for digital assets is provided, wherein the instructions executable by one or more processors of a system to cause a system to: receive a digital asset; scan the digital asset to generate output data indicating whether one or more digital accessibility criteria are met by the digital asset; and cause display of a visual indication of at least a part of the output data indicating whether the one or more digital accessibility criteria are met.

In some embodiments, a method for assessing digital accessibility for digital assets is provided, the method performed by a system comprising one or more processors, the method comprising: receiving a digital asset; scanning the digital asset to generate output data indicating whether one or more digital accessibility criteria are met by the digital asset; and causing display of a visual indication of at least a part of the output data indicating whether the one or more digital accessibility criteria are met

In some embodiments, any one or more features of any one or more of the above-described embodiments may be combined, in whole or in part, with one another and/or with any one or more features of any one or more embodiments described elsewhere herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a graphical user interface for an accessibility assessment system, including visual indications of accessibility standards conformance levels and progress for a digital asset, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a graphical user interface for an accessibility assessment system, including a visualization of identified accessibility issues for a digital asset, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a graphical user interface for an accessibility assessment system, including a visualization of accessibility issues by user impact over time for a digital asset, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows a graphical user interface for an accessibility assessment system, including an indication of a manner in which an identified accessibility issue for a digital asset may be corrected, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a graphical user interface for an accessibility assessment system, including a list of locations for digital assets that have been scanned and/or may be re-scanned for compliance with accessibility standards, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a graphical user interface for an accessibility assessment system, including a display for guiding a user through performance of portions of the accessibility assessment to be performed semi-manually.

FIG. 7 shows a computer, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments, the system may scan source code of a digital asset, e.g., without requiring code-building, compiling, and/or rendering in a browser or application. In some embodiments, the system may scan code following code-building and/or compiling. In some embodiments, the system may scan an interface following rendering in a browser or application.

The generated output data may include an indication of whether a criteria is met. The generated output data may include an indication of a classification for a criteria that is not met (e.g., a class of criteria that is not met, such as rules relating to colors to be used in graphical user interfaces) . The generated output data may include an indication of a severity classification for a criteria that is not met (e.g., “critical, ” “serious, ” “moderate, ” or “minor” ) . The generated output data may include a specification of a portion of code that does not comply with one or more criteria. The generated output data may include an indication of a portion of a graphical user interface that does not comply with one or more criteria. The generated output may include an indication of one or more adjustments to code that may be made in order to rectify the failure to comply with the one or more criteria and to therefore bring the code into compliance with the one or more criteria.

In some embodiments, the system may be configured to accept, as input, an upload of a file comprising a digital asset, pointer indicating the location of a digital asset, and/or a URL indicating a location of a digital asset. In response to receiving the input, the system may perform an automated scan of the digital asset in order to generate output data as described herein. In some embodiments, the system may automatically crawl and scan digital web assets. In some embodiments, the system may be configured with continuous integration and continuous delivery/deployment integration, for example such that a pipeline may be provided with a unique API key to execute a scan automatically when a deployment runs. In some embodiments, the system may perform one or more scans in accordance with a predefined or dynamically determined schedule, and/or in response to one or more trigger conditions being met. In some embodiments, the system may be configured to periodically re-scan an asset, allowing for a website or application to be re-scanned as updates are made to the website such that new accessibility issues may be quickly recognized. In some embodiments, the system may be configured to detect when updates or changes are made to a digital asset and to responsively trigger a re-scan of the asset. In some embodiments, the entire asset may be re-scanned. In some embodiments, only updated portions of the asset may be re-scanned.

In some embodiments, the system may be configured to assess a network, file system, website, and/or application using regressive scanning. In some portions of a network, file system, website, and/or application that are scanned may be dynamically determined based on which previously-scanned portions are configured to be compliant and/or non-compliant with one or more criteria.

In some embodiments, the system may provide functionality, for example in the form of a graphical user interface, for manual review of compliance with accessibility criteria. For example, in addition to automated code scanning, a stem may provide a graphical user interface that guides a user through the a process for determining whether a digital asset complies with one or more accessibility criteria. The system may provide for combined automatic and manual scanning, for example by performing automatic scanning where possible and then automatically prompting a user to perform manual scanning where automatic scanning is not possible. For example, automated scanning may recognize whether alt-text is present, while a user may be prompted to manually verify whether alt-text meaningful. In some embodiments, automatic and manual scanning may be performed without requiring a user to repeatedly switch interfaces and/or to repeatedly re-upload the digital asset.

In some embodiment, the system may generate one or more reports and/or alerts comprising the output data. Reports and/or alerts may be stored, displayed, and/or transmitted. In some embodiments, the system may provide one or more data visualizations that summarize output data for one or more accessibility assessments (e.g., assessments for one or more digital assets) . The system and/or visualizations may provide one or more metrics for digital asset roadmap prioritization. Reports and/or alerts may be sent automatically upon completion of a scan and/or may be sent in accordance with a user request. In some embodiments, a report may be provided in a format that can be uploaded to Jira or ADO as a user story.

In some embodiments, a visualization of results of an assessment for a digital asset may show a breakdown of identified “issues, ” where an “issue” represents a point of failure to comply with one or more criteria. In some embodiments, issues may be categorized in a visualization by type (e.g., “color, ” “ARIA, ” “forms, ” “content structure, ” “keyboard control, ” “alt text” ) and/or by severity, e.g., “critical, ” “serious, ” “moderate, ” or “minor” ) .

In some embodiments, the system may be configured with built-in application authentication, allowing for web applications that require authentications (e.g., non-public URLs) to be scanned within our assessment tool.

In some embodiments, the system may be built using a secure and standard architecture with extensible accessibility scanning and monitoring service. The system may include accessibility services including single sign-on interfaces, security management interfaces, API interfaces, accessibility scan interfaces, and/or user analytics interfaces. The system may include accessibility core services including notifications services, reporting services, product registry services, and/or scan scheduler services. The system may include accessibility engines including web app crawler engines and/or accessibility scan engines.

In some embodiments, systems disclosed herein may be provided by any one or more processors configured to perform the techniques described herein. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media may store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the techniques described herein.

FIG. 7 shows a computer, in accordance with some embodiments. Computer 700 can be a component of a system for accessibility assessment. In some embodiments, computer 700 may be configured to execute a method for assessing accessibility for a digital asset, for example as described herein.

Computer 700 can be a host computer connected to a network. Computer 700 can be a client computer or a server. As shown in FIG. 7, computer 700 can be any suitable type of microprocessor-based device, such as a personal computer, workstation, server, videogame console, or handheld computing device, such as a phone or tablet. The computer can include, for example, one or more of processor 701, input device 702, output device 703, storage 704, and communication device 705. Input device 702 can generally correspond to those described above and can either be connectable or integrated with the computer.

Input device 702 can be any suitable device that provides input, such as a touch screen or monitor, keyboard, mouse, or voice-recognition device. Output device 703 can be any suitable device that provides output, such as a touch screen, monitor, printer, disk drive, or speaker.

Storage 704 can be any suitable device that provides storage, such as an electrical, magnetic, or optical memory, including a RAM, cache, hard drive, CD-ROM drive, tape drive, or removable storage disk. Communication device 705 can include any suitable device capable of transmitting and receiving signals over a network, such as a network interface chip or card. The components of the computer can be connected in any suitable manner, such as via a physical bus or wirelessly. Storage 704 can be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising one or more programs, which, when executed by one or more processors, such as processor 701, cause the one or more processors to execute methods described herein.

Software 706, which can be stored in storage 704 and executed by processor 701, can include, for example, the programming that embodies the functionality of the present disclosure (e.g., as embodied in the systems, computers, servers, and/or devices as described above) . In some embodiments, software 706 can be implemented and executed on a combination of servers such as application servers and database servers.

Software 706, or part thereof, can also be stored and/or transported within any computer-readable storage medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as those described above, that can fetch and execute instructions associated with the software from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. In the context of this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium can be any medium, such as storage 704, that can contain or store programming for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Software 706 can also be propagated within any transport medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as those described above, that can fetch and execute instructions associated with the software from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. In the context of this disclosure, a transport medium can be any medium that can communicate, propagate, or transport programming for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The transport-readable medium can include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or infrared wired or wireless propagation medium.

Computer 700 may be connected to a network, which can be any suitable type of interconnected communication system. The network can implement any suitable communications protocol and can be secured by any suitable security protocol. The network can comprise network links of any suitable arrangement that can implement the transmission and reception of network signals, such as wireless network connections, T1 or T3 lines, cable networks, DSL, or telephone lines.

Computer 700 can implement any operating system suitable for operating the network. Software 706 can be written in any suitable programming language, such as C, C++, Java, or Python. In various embodiments, application software embodying the functionality of the present disclosure can be deployed in different configurations, such as in a client/server arrangement or through a web browser as a Web-based application or Web service, for example.

The foregoing description sets forth exemplary models, parameters and the like. It should be recognized, however, that such description is not intended as a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure but is instead provided as a description of exemplary embodiments. The illustrative embodiments described above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the disclosed techniques and their practical applications. Others skilled in the art are thereby enabled to best utilize the techniques and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Although the disclosure and examples have been fully described with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the disclosure and examples as defined by the claims. In the foregoing description of the disclosure and embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments that can be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments and examples can be practiced, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Any feature of any of the embodiments described herein may be combined, in whole or in part, with any one or more of the features of any one or more other embodiments described herein.

Claims

A system for assessing digital accessibility for digital assets, the system comprising one or more processors and memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to:

receive a digital asset;

scan the digital asset to generate output data indicating whether one or more digital accessibility criteria are met by the digital asset; and

cause display of a visual indication of at least a part of the output data indicating whether the one or more digital accessibility criteria are met.
The system of claim 1, wherein receiving the digital asset comprises receiving a file comprising the digital asset.
The system of any one of claims 1-2, wherein receiving the digital asset comprises receiving an indication of a location at which the digital asset is stored.
The system of any one of claims 1-3, wherein receiving the digital asset comprises retrieving the digital asset via a crawling operation.
The system of any one of claims 1-4, wherein scanning the digital asset comprises scanning source code of the digital asset.
The system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein scanning the digital asset comprises scanning the digital asset without performing code-building, compiling, or rendering for the digital asset.
The system of any one of claims 1-6, wherein scanning the digital asset comprises:

generating a processed version of the digital asset by applying one or more techniques from the group of: code-building, compiling, and rendering; and

scanning the processed version of the digital asset.
The system of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the generated output data indicates a severity of an issue for a digital accessibility criteria that is not met by the digital asset.
The system of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the generated output data indicates a portion of code for the digital asset that does not comply with one or more digital accessibility.
The system of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the generated output data indicates a portion of a graphical user interface of the digital asset that does not comply with one or more digital accessibility criteria.
The system of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the instructions cause the system to cause the system to generate and cause display of an indication of one or more adjustments to rectify a failure to comply with one or more of the digital accessibility criteria.
The system of any one of claims 1-11, wherein scanning the digital asset is performed in accordance with a schedule.
The system of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the instructions cause the system to:

detect one or more trigger conditions; and

perform scanning the digital asset in accordance with detecting the one or more trigger conditions.
The system of any one of claims 1-13, wherein receiving the digital asset comprises performing regressive scanning of one or more sources from the group of: a network, a file system, a website, and an application.
The system of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the system to display a prompt for a user to perform a manual assessment of digital accessibility for a portion of the digital asset.
The system of any one of claims 1-15, wherein causing display of a visual indication of at least a part of the output data comprises causing display of a report.
The system of any one of claims 1-16, wherein causing display of a visual indication of at least a part of the output data comprises causing display of an alert.
The system of any one of claims 1-17, wherein causing display of a visual indication of at least a part of the output data comprises causing display of a visualization of at least a part of the output data.
The system of claim 18, wherein the visualization visualizes issues for digital accessibility criteria that are not met by the digital asset by categorizing the issues according to severity.
The system of any one of claims 18-19, wherein the visualization visualizes issues for digital accessibility criteria that are not met by the digital asset by categorizing the issues according to type.
The system of any one of claims 1-20, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the system to provide built-in application authentication.
A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions for assessing digital accessibility for digital assets, wherein the instructions executable by one or more processors of a system to cause a system to:

receive a digital asset;

scan the digital asset to generate output data indicating whether one or more digital accessibility criteria are met by the digital asset; and

cause display of a visual indication of at least a part of the output data indicating whether the one or more digital accessibility criteria are met.
A method for assessing digital accessibility for digital assets, the method performed by a system comprising one or more processors, the method comprising:

receiving a digital asset;

scanning the digital asset to generate output data indicating whether one or more digital accessibility criteria are met by the digital asset; and

causing display of a visual indication of at least a part of the output data indicating whether the one or more digital accessibility criteria are met.