We know that government agencies are held to a high standard when it comes to compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidlines (WCAG) and standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

As a system, PublicInput.com is committed to maintaining WCAG 508 2.1 AA compliance for all public-facing interfaces. We conduct accessibility testing on an ongoing basis and prior to releasing interface changes. This testing is conducted using a combination of automated tools like the Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE) and screen reader, JAWS. Beyond our own testing, we regularly engage third party contractors to conduct testing by visually impaired individuals.

Because our platform is built to host content created by our users, the commitment to accessibility extends to how we support our users and customers with best practices. This article outlines practices to follow when selecting engagement formats and developing your online content on the platform.
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When creating a survey project, you have a variety of content and question types to choose from. The majority of question types and project features are accessible for participants using screen readers or other assistive devices; however, certain advanced question types require a bit of extra work to ensure accessibility.

Advanced question formats (such as the consensus or slider types), and geospatial questions (like interactive map response, select shape on map or select shape on image) are inherently visual, and are less compatible with assistive technology and screen readers. 

When accessibility is a high priority in surveys – for example, when many participants in your community have visual or cognitive impairments – we recommend using primarily text-based question formats, such as demographic, location, or multiple choice questions.  

Any images used in conjunction with projects should include descriptive alt-text, which you can add when you upload or select an image to include.
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Understandably, there are times when showing a concept is more effective than describing it - such as asking participants to indicate on a map where they would like a new park, or selecting a preferred design from a photo lineup of options. 

In these cases, we recommend that you either include descriptive alt-text for each image, or add explainer text within the question that provides specific guidance on how to respond without using the map or visual function.
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For example, on a mapping question, you could say "If you'd prefer, you may also add a comment that includes an address or cross streets describing a location."
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​Related articles:
​How to add alt text to an image
​How to add explainer text to a question
​What can i do with advanced options for questions