VPAT
- Carol SoftChalk
Voluntary Product Evaluation Template (VPAT)
Date: May 3, 2018Name of Product: SoftChalk Create 11 (both desktop and Cloud web-launch version)Contact for more Information: Email: help@softchalk.com
Note: This document addresses the accessibility of SoftChalk Create 11 from the standpoint of the content authoring environment (described in the document as "authoring") and addresses the accessibility from the standpoint of a student who is viewing the resulting lesson content web pages (described in the document as "output").
The information contained in this document is proprietary information and is not for reproduction, publication or manipulation. This document addresses features of SoftChalk Create 11. Any specific inquiries should be made to SoftChalk LLC at help@softchalk.com.
Summary Table | ||
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks and explanations |
Section 1194.21 Software Applications and Operating Systems | Supports with exceptions | In this section we address features of the SoftChalk Create authoring interface under the heading "Authoring", and we address features of the SoftChalk content web pages that are created using SoftChalk Create under the heading "Output". |
Section 1194.22 Web-based internet information and applications | Supports | In this section we address features of the SoftChalk content web pages that are created using the SoftChalk Create product. We do not address the SoftChalk "Authoring" interface in this section as it is not a web-based application. |
Section 1194.23 Telecommunications Products | Not Applicable | |
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Section 1194.25Self-Contained, Closed Products | Not Applicable | |
Section 1194.26 Desktop and Portable Computers | Not Applicable | |
Section 1194.31 Functional Performance Criteria | Authoring: Supports with Exceptions | Authoring: SoftChalk Create does not support use of a screen reader to navigate the authoring interface. |
Section 1194.41 Information, documentation, and support. | Supports | Accessible documentation is available via PDF or Word Documents and can be downloaded from the SoftChalk website. |
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Section 1194.21 Software Applications and Operating Systems* Refer to ( http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.21.htm ) for details on the guidelines listed below. | ||
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks and explanations |
(a) When software is designed to run on a system that has a keyboard, product functions shall be executable from a keyboard where the function itself or the result of performing a function can be discerned textually. | Authoring: Supports with exceptions | Authoring: Most commands and functions in the Softchalk Create 10 interface are keyboard accessible through the application menu interface or by using keyboard shortcuts. |
(b) Applications shall not disrupt or disable activated features of other products that are identified as accessibility features, where those features are developed and documented according to industry standards. Applications also shall not disrupt or disable activated features of any operating system that are identified as accessibility features where the application programming interface for those accessibility features has been documented by the manufacturer of the operating system and is available to the product developer. |
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(c) A well-defined on-screen indication of the current focus shall be provided that moves among interactive interface elements as the input focus changes. The focus shall be programmatically exposed so that Assistive Technology can track focus and focus changes. | Authoring: Supports with exceptions | Authoring: In the SoftChalk Create authoring environment, the current focus for the page is indicated by the cursor location and programmatically by the appearance of menus and dialogs. Assistive Devices are able to detect the cursor location in most but not all dialogs.Output: SoftChalk content pages indicate the current focus for the page and this information can be detected by assistive devices. |
(d) Sufficient information about a user interface element including the identity, operation and state of the element shall be available to Assistive Technology. When an image represents a program element, the information conveyed by the image must also be available in text. |
| Authoring: Identify, role and state information is available for most but not all controls in the SoftChalk 9 interface. |
(e) When bitmap images are used to identify controls, status indicators, or other programmatic elements, the meaning assigned to those images shall be consistent throughout an application's performance. | Authoring: | Authoring: SoftChalk does not use bitmap images for controls or other programmatic elements. |
(f) Textual information shall be provided through operating system functions for displaying text. The minimum information that shall be made available is text content, text input caret location, and text attributes. | Authoring: Not applicable | Authoring: Does not expose textual information through the operating system functions. |
(g) Applications shall not override user selected contrast and color selections and other individual display attributes. | Authoring: Supports | Authoring: Honors user-defined color and contrast settings in Windows. |
(h) When animation is displayed, the information shall be displayable in at least one non-animated presentation mode at the option of the user. | Authoring: not applicable | Authoring: animation is not used in the authoring interface. |
| Authoring: Supports | Authoring: SoftChalk 9 does not use color as the only means of conveying information |
(j) When a product permits a user to adjust color and contrast settings, a variety of color selections capable of producing a range of contrast levels shall be provided. | Authoring: Not Applicable | Authoring: SoftChalk Create does not permit the user to adjust color and contrast settings in the authoring environment. |
(k) Software shall not use flashing or blinking text, objects, or other elements having a flash or blink frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. | Authoring: Supports | Authoring: SoftChalk Create does not use blinking text or objects. |
(l) When electronic forms are used, the form shall allow people using Assistive Technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues. | Authoring: Supports with exceptions | Authoring: Most form controls within the SoftChalk Create interface are fully operable using a keyboard-only and provide sufficient information to assistive technology with some exceptions, such as some of the activity dialogs. |
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Section 1194.22 Web-based Internet information and applications{} Refer to (* http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.22.htm) for details on the guidelines listed below. | ||
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks and explanations |
(a) A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content). | Output: Supports | Output: SoftChalk content pages require the completion of alt or longdesc parameters for all non-text elements that are included in a content page. (for example, images and links) |
(b) Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation. | Output: Supported | Output: When multimedia elements, such as videos, are included by the author in SoftChalk content, the author has the ability to include a description of the item – which is then made available via an html link associated with the multimedia element in the page. It is also possible to include multimedia, such as video, that includes synchronized captioned text. |
(c) Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup. | Output: Supports | Output: Information conveyed with color is also conveyed without color and by the context of the lesson page |
(d) Documents shall be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet. | Output: Supports | Output: SoftChalk lessons are readable without the associated style sheet. |
(e) Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map. | Output: Not Applicable | Output: Server-side Image maps are not used in SoftChalk lessons |
(f) Client-side image maps shall be provided instead of server-side image maps except where the regions cannot be defined with an available geometric shape. | Output: Not Applicable | Output: Client side Image maps are not used in SoftChalk lessons |
(g) Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables. | Output: Supports | Output: SoftChalk lessons support the use or row and column headers |
(h) Markup shall be used to associate data cells and header cells for data tables that have two or more logical levels of row or column headers. | Output: Not Applicable | Output: Softchalk lessons do not support multiple logical levels or row and columns in tables. |
| Output: Not Applicable | Output: Frames are not used in SoftChalk lessons |
(j) Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. | Output: Supports | Output: SoftChalk lessons do not support the use of "flicker" attributes. |
(k) A text-only page, with equivalent information or functionality, shall be provided to make a web site comply with the provisions of this part, when compliance cannot be accomplished in any other way. The content of the text-only page shall be updated whenever the primary page changes. | Output: Supports | Output: Text-only equivalents are provided for certain elements that may be included in a web content page, such as embedded iframes, audio files, and web widgets. The content author has the ability to include a text description of these elements. A web link is associated with these page elements that link to the text description of the element. |
(l) When pages utilize scripting languages to display content, or to create interface elements, the information provided by the script shall be identified with functional text that can be read by Assistive Technology. | Output: Supports | Output: SoftChalk web content pages use JavaScript-based annotations, activities, and quiz questions that are accessible via a Screen Reader and are key-board accessible. |
(m) When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in or other application be present on the client system to interpret page content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in or applet that complies with Û1194.21(a) through (l). | Output: Not Applicable | Output: SoftChalk content web pages do not use applets or plug-ins. |
| Output: Supports | Output: SoftChalk lessons may use html "forms" for quiz questions and activities. These are accessible via a Screen Reader and are key-board accessible. |
(o) A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links. | Output: Supports | Output: SoftChalk lessons provide a "skip navigation" feature at the top of each page, for easier page navigation via Assistive Technology. The skip navigation feature can be viewed by keyboard users when they press the tab key at the top of a lesson page. |
(p) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required. | Output: Not Applicable | Output: SoftChalk lessons do not support timed responses. |
When electronic forms are designed to be completed on-line, the form shall allow people using Assistive Technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues.
Note to 1194.22: The Board interprets paragraphs (a) through (k) of this section as consistent with the following priority 1 Checkpoints of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (WCAG 1.0) (May 5 1999) published by the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium: Paragraph (a) - 1.1, (b) - 1.4, (c) - 2.1, (d) - 6.1, (e) - 1.2, (f) - 9.1, (g) - 5.1, (h) - 5.2, 
- 12.1, (j) - 7.1, (k) - 11.4.
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Section 1194.23 Telecommunications Products{} Refer to (* http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.23.htm ) for details on the guidelines listed below. | ||
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks and explanations |
(a) Telecommunications products or systems which provide a function allowing voice communication and which do not themselves provide a TTY functionality shall provide a standard non-acoustic connection point for TTYs. Microphones shall be capable of being turned on and off to allow the user to intermix speech with TTY use. | Not Applicable | |
(b) Telecommunications products which include voice communication functionality shall support all commonly used cross-manufacturer non-proprietary standard TTY signal protocols. | Not Applicable | |
(c) Voice mail, auto-attendant, and interactive voice response telecommunications systems shall be usable by TTY users with their TTYs. | Not Applicable | |
(d) Voice mail, messaging, auto-attendant, and interactive voice response telecommunications systems that require a response from a user within a time interval, shall give an alert when the time interval is about to run out, and shall provide sufficient time for the user to indicate more time is required. | Not Applicable | |
(e) Where provided, caller identification and similar telecommunications functions shall also be available for users of TTYs, and for users who cannot see displays. | Not Applicable | |
(f) For transmitted voice signals, telecommunications products shall provide a gain adjustable up to a minimum of 20 dB. For incremental volume control, at least one intermediate step of 12 dB of gain shall be provided. | Not Applicable | |
(g) If the telecommunications product allows a user to adjust the receive volume, a function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every use. | | |
(h) Where a telecommunications product delivers output by an audio transducer which is normally held up to the ear, a means for effective magnetic wireless coupling to hearing technologies shall be provided | Not Applicable | |
| . Not Applicable | |
(j) Products that transmit or conduct information or communication, shall pass through cross-manufacturer, non-proprietary, industry-standard codes, translation protocols, formats or other information necessary to provide the information or communication in a usable format. Technologies which use encoding, signal compression, format transformation, or similar techniques shall not remove information needed for access or shall restore it upon delivery. | . Not Applicable | |
(k)(1) Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: Controls and Keys shall be tactilely discernible without activating the controls or keys. | . Not Applicable | |
(k)(2) Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: Controls and Keys shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate controls and keys shall be 5 lbs. (22.2N) maximum. | . Not Applicable | |
(k)(3) Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: If key repeat is supported, the delay before repeat shall be adjustable to at least 2 seconds. Key repeat rate shall be adjustable to 2 seconds per character. | . Not Applicable | |
(k)(4) Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: The status of all locking or toggle controls or keys shall be visually discernible, and discernible either through touch or sound. | . Not Applicable |
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Section 1194.24 Video and Multi-media Products{} Refer to (* http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.24.htm ) for details on the guidelines listed below. | ||
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks and explanations |
(a) All analog television displays 13 inches and larger, and computer equipment that includes analog television receiver or display circuitry, shall be equipped with caption decoder circuitry which appropriately receives, decodes, and displays closed captions from broadcast, cable, videotape, and DVD signals. As soon as practicable, but not later than July 1, 2002, widescreen digital television (DTV) displays measuring at least 7.8 inches vertically, DTV sets with conventional displays measuring at least 13 inches vertically, and stand-alone DTV tuners, whether or not they are marketed with display screens, and computer equipment that includes DTV receiver or display circuitry, shall be equipped with caption decoder circuitry which appropriately receives, decodes, and displays closed captions from broadcast, cable, videotape, and DVD signals. | Not Applicable | SoftChalk Create does not include any display hardware. |
(b) Television tuners, including tuner cards for use in computers, shall be equipped with secondary audio program playback circuitry. | Not Applicable | SoftChalk Create does not include any television tuner hardware. |
(c) All training and informational video and multimedia productions which support the agency's mission, regardless of format, that contain speech or other audio information necessary for the comprehension of the content, shall be open or closed captioned. | Output: Supports | Output: SoftChalk Create does not enable the creation of video, however it does allow the author to include video content elements (created using other tools) in a SoftChalk lesson. It is up to the content author to include video that includes captions; SoftChalk does not require captions |
(d) All training and informational video and multimedia productions which support the agency's mission, regardless of format, that contain visual information necessary for the comprehension of the content, shall be audio described. | Output: Supports | Output: It is possible to use the "ReadSpeaker" add-on product with SoftChalk. This enables a feature in the lesson content that allows the "learner" to have the text in a content page in audio/spoken format. |
(e) Display or presentation of alternate text presentation or audio descriptions shall be user-selectable unless permanent. | Output: Supports | Output: SoftChalk does provide a method for the content author to add a text description of a video that can be accessed a read in a separate window from the video. |
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Section 1194.25 Self-Contained, Closed Products{} Refer to (* http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.25.htm) for details on the guidelines listed below. | ||
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks and explanations |
(a) Self contained products shall be usable by people with disabilities without requiring an end-user to attach Assistive Technology to the product. Personal headsets for private listening are not Assistive Technology. | Not Applicable | |
(b) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required. | Not Applicable | |
(c) Where a product utilizes touchscreens or contact-sensitive controls, an input method shall be provided that complies with Û1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). | Not Applicable | |
(d) When biometric forms of user identification or control are used, an alternative form of identification or activation, which does not require the user to possess particular biological characteristics, shall also be provided. | Not Applicable | |
(e) When products provide auditory output, the audio signal shall be provided at a standard signal level through an industry standard connector that will allow for private listening. The product must provide the ability to interrupt, pause, and restart the audio at anytime. | Not Applicable | |
(f) When products deliver voice output in a public area, incremental volume control shall be provided with output amplification up to a level of at least 65 dB. Where the ambient noise level of the environment is above 45 dB, a volume gain of at least 20 dB above the ambient level shall be user selectable. A function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every use. | Not Applicable | |
(g) Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. | Not Applicable | |
(h) When a product permits a user to adjust color and contrast settings, a range of color selections capable of producing a variety of contrast levels shall be provided. | Not Applicable | |
| Not Applicable | |
(j) (1) Products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls shall comply with the following: The position of any operable control shall be determined with respect to a vertical plane, which is 48 inches in length, centered on the operable control, and at the maximum protrusion of the product within the 48 inch length on products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls. | Not Applicable | |
(j)(2) Products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls shall comply with the following: Where any operable control is 10 inches or less behind the reference plane, the height shall be 54 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum above the floor. | Not Applicable | |
(j)(3) Products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls shall comply with the following: Where any operable control is more than 10 inches and not more than 24 inches behind the reference plane, the height shall be 46 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum above the floor. | Not Applicable | |
(j)(4) Products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls shall comply with the following: Operable controls shall not be more than 24 inches behind the reference plane. | Not Applicable |
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Section 1194.26 Desktop and Portable Computers{} Refer to (* http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.26.htm) for details on the guidelines listed below. | ||
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks and explanations |
(a) All mechanically operated controls and keys shall comply with Û1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). | Not applicable | |
(b) If a product utilizes touchscreens or touch-operated controls, an input method shall be provided that complies with Û1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). | Not applicable | |
(c) When biometric forms of user identification or control are used, an alternative form of identification or activation, which does not require the user to possess particular biological characteristics, shall also be provided. | Not applicable | |
(d) Where provided, at least one of each type of expansion slots, ports and connectors shall comply with publicly available industry standards | Not applicable |
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Section 1194.31 Functional Performance Criteria | ||
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks and explanations |
(a) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user vision shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are blind or visually impaired shall be provided. | Authoring: Not Supported | Authoring: The controls in the SoftChalk interface are not operable by users of screen readers. |
(b) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require visual acuity greater than 20/70 shall be provided in audio and enlarged print output working together or independently, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are visually impaired shall be provided. | Authoring: Supports with exceptions | Authoring: The SoftChalk authoring interface does not support audio but does work with screen magnifiers. |
(c) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user hearing shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing shall be provided | Authoring: Supports | Authoring: SoftChalk Create's authoring interface does not require user hearing. |
(d) Where audio information is important for the use of a product, at least one mode of operation and information retrieval shall be provided in an enhanced auditory fashion, or support for assistive hearing devices shall be provided. | Authoring: Supports | Authoring: Audio information is not required for the operation of the SoftChalk Create interface. |
(e) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user speech shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people with disabilities shall be provided. | Authoring: Supports | Authoring: SoftChalk Create does not require the user to have speech to use the product. |
(f) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require fine motor control or simultaneous actions and that is operable with limited reach and strength shall be provided. | Authoring: Supports with exceptions | Authoring: Most controls and dialogs in SoftChalk Create can be accessed via keyboard controls with some exceptions such as certain Activity dialogs (HotSpot Image dialog, for example). |
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Section 1194.41 Information, documentation, and support | ||
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks and explanations |
(a) Product support documentation provided to end-users shall be made available in alternate formats upon request, at no additional charge. | Supports | Accessible documentation is available via PDF or Word Documents and can be downloaded from the SoftChalk website. |
(b) End-users shall have access to a description of the accessibility and compatibility features of products in alternate formats or alternate methods upon request, at no additional charge. | Supports | Information about the accessibility of Softchalk Create 10 is available upon request. |
(c) Support services for products shall accommodate the communication needs of end-users with disabilities. | Supports | Support is provided via both telephone and email. |
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This document is for informational purposes only. This information is based on SoftChalk's current understanding of 36 CFR Part 1194 Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standard and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. It is not intended address applicability of these laws to a particular end-user, customer, application or procurement.
All product design and specifications are subject to change. Some of the information may be based upon data collected or tests conducted on similar product modules.
The information in this Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) should not be considered a contractual agreement by SoftChalk. FURTHER, THE INFORMATION AND MATERIALS PROVIDED IN THIS VPAT ARE "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
SoftChalk does not warrant the accuracy and completeness of the information or materials in this VPAT. SoftChalk may make changes to the information in this VPAT, or to the products described in this VPAT at any time, without notice.