Gradescope

Accessibility Details

• Accessibility Resources and Information
• Gradescope VPAT for Desktop and Mobile
• Need to Know
  • Using Gradescope with Accessibility Controls
  • Known Issues (expand table)

• VPAT Notes

  Gradescope's most recent VPAT was published in December 2023. The evaluation on completed by a Gradescope Product Manager using JAWS 2022 and the Chrome browser.

  As of November 2024, Gradescope's VPAT has not been tested by an external group specializing in WCAG testing.

• Known Issues

  Gradescope has multiple instances of elements that do not fully meet WCAG 2.1 standards. 

  Accessibility Testing Report by University of Illinois in Fall 2022

  Accessibility Testing Report by University of Leeds, from June 2024

  • Areas of non-compliance (desktop)

    Non-text Content

    Some decorative icons and content not presented to users is perceived by assistive technology. This fails WACG 2.1 success criteria 1.1.1 Non-text Content (Level A).

    Use of Color

    Grade scores use a red color to convey information that is not explained, as well as "not submitted, deadline passed" indicators in mobile app. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.4.1 Use of Color (Level A).

    Reflow

    In some pages there is content that disappears, overlaps, or is cut off when viewing the page at 200% browser zoom. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.4.10 Reflow (Level AA).

    Keyboard

    Some interactive controls cannot be navigated to and/or operated with the keyboard alone, such as question links in the Review Submission page. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.1.1 Keyboard (Level A).

    Focus Order

    In some pages when zoomed to 200% the visual order between sections is reversed but navigate differently keyboards and screen readers. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.3 Focus Order (Level A).

    Focus Visible

    The focus indicator is invisible or obscured while on Save answer, Submit, and View. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.3 Focus Order (Level A).

    Language of Page

    Changing the default language settings in Account Settings does not change the programmatically-set language of the page. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 3.1.1 Language of Page (Level A).

    Error Suggestion

    On Student - Timed Homework Image an error message states a wrong file was uploaded, but does not state which file types are accepted when this information is known and displayed elsewhere on the page. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 3.3.3 Error Suggestion (Level AA).

    Advisory Issues

    Student-generated content

    Gradescope uses content generated from the users, typically paper-based exams and homework submitted by students as a PDF, that makes it infeasible for Gradescope to rely upon users to provide accessible alternatives such as PDF tagging and alternative text. Staff grading tools are compliant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, though accessibility may be limited within submissions themselves.

  • Areas of non-compliance (mobile)

    Focus Order

    On logging in, screen reader and keyboard focus will begin with the Sign in with email field, requiring users to navigate backwards to access the earlier School Credentials field. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.3 Focus Order (Level A).

    Consistent Identification

    When submitting an assignment with a device camera, selecting next to scan another page is required before being able to select done. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation (Level AA).