ACCESSIBILITY PLAN
The events hosted and/or advertised on the ‘ASSITEJ Online‘ platform are designed, through collaboration between ASSITEJ International, its Accessibility Committee, the local event hosts, and other third-parties, to have maximum inclusion for differently abled participants, participants with different economic contexts, participants coming from different language backgrounds, and participants coming from areas with differing levels of internet access.
ASSITEJ International and its partners are aware that, despite our best efforts, there may be participants for whom the event is still not as accessible as we would like it to be due to varying local contexts, expectations, and budgets. We are committed to learn and grow further in the coming years to embrace initiatives that allow for further access and inclusion going forwards. As such, we warmly welcome your feedback and experiences via our email: help@assitejonline.org.
Accessibility for Differently Abled Participants
• Event session listings contain information about the language of primary presentation, including whether it is non-verbal and whether it has captioning;
• Event session listings also contain information about the age they have been created for and any recommended age classifications;
• Where applicable, event session listings have been identified (by those contributing the event session) as being: ‘Non-Verbal’, ‘Highly Visual’, ‘Relaxed Performance/Workshop’, and/or ‘Uses Sign Language’.
• All event session contributors have been asked whether they have any extra materials like scripts, images, story precis, and/or videos that can be presented on their session page to accompany their event in order to provide supplementary resources that users may find helpful in accessing the main content – this has been requested when contributors supply their session information and content;
• All production companies (and contributors providing pre-recorded materials to the Professional Exchange programme) have been asked to provide translation and captioning for their work if it is text-based;
• All contributors have been encouraged to provide text-based documents to support understanding to accompany their event listing;
• Sessions being conducted in a supported language* that are live-streamed as part of the Professional Exchange programme will have automated captioning in numerous languages enabled for online viewers by default* (unless the contributor specifically requests otherwise) – this gives audience members the ability to switch on/off live automated captioning in any available language* of their choice, to refer to the transcript at any point in the session, to make the captioning font size as large or small as they would like, and to move the captioning to their preferred area of the screen.
*More information about supported languages is available here.
• Users purchasing Access Passes or Tickets will be given the opportunity to report any required adjustments via our Audience & Delegate Accessibility Requirements form:
→ Our team will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments to facilitate your request in coordination with local venues; however, due to capacity and space within venues and their local arrangements, it may not be possible for the local venues to facilitate all requests;
→ The form invites audience members or delegates to provide information about requirements in terms of: Hearing Impairment; Sight Impairment; Autism; Dementia; Epilepsy / Photosensitive Epilepsy; Learning Disability; being a Wheelchair User (Manual or Powered); or any other needs;
→ The form invites audience members or delegates to request an essential companion / carer ticket for all event sessions at no additional charge;
→ The form invites audience members or delegates to declare a seating preference for: an aisle seat, step-free access to a seat, a seat close to an exit, a seat close to an accessible toilet, or other seating preferences;
→ The form invites audience members or delegates to share any additional facility or service requirements such as: wanting/needing to bring a Guide Dog or Assistance Dog, requiring a Sign Language Interpreted Performance, or any other specific requirements not listed above.
Accessibility for Participants with Different Economic Contexts
Complimentary Full On-Ground Access Passes or Full Online Access Passes are available to delegates and audience members from certain countries.
Please click here to see if your country is on the list.
The discount will apply automatically at checkout. Full information is available on the Access Passes page.
Accessibility for Participants Coming from Different Language Backgrounds
Contributors can offer their session in any language they choose. Each contributor has been asked if they are able to arrange for colleagues, volunteers, or their own professional interpreters to provide translation. We are able to provide the technical support to make sure that contributor/volunteer translations integrate into live-streamed events and/or as a recording on the ‘ASSITEJ Online’ platform. This may be as a pre-recording of a session in a different language to the one that contributors will use live (which can appear on the session page at the same time as the in-person performance or the digital live broadcast); translation of supplementary resources in any format (for example, written or audio translation of recorded speech or written text); or having a simultaneous translator working alongside contributors during their sessions (which will be integrated into a different audio channel of the ZOOM broadcast for live-streamed sessions).
ASSITEJ International has invested a significant amount of time and resources to help ensure that its web platforms are accessible for everyone.
The ‘ASSITEJ Online’ platform has been designed with maximum inclusion for users from different language backgrounds, from areas with differing levels of internet access, and for users who may be differently abled. ASSITEJ International is aware that, despite our best efforts, there may be users for whom the platform is still not as accessible as we would like it to be. We are committed to learning about and embracing digital tools that allow for more inclusion. ASSITEJ International continues its efforts to improve the accessibility of its platform. We believe that it is our collective moral duty to allow easy, accessible, and unrestricted use for all.
Despite our best efforts to allow everybody to adjust the platform to their needs, there may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming more accessible, or lack a suitable technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we continue to improve our accessibility; adding, updating, improving options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies.
All of this is meant to reach the best level of accessibility following technological advancements. We warmly welcome your feedback and experiences. If you wish to report an accessibility issue, have any questions, or need assistance, please contact us via the chat feature or by emailing techsupport@assitejonline.org.
Accessibility for Users Coming from Different Language Backgrounds
The platform is originally written in English. Wherever possible, translations are provided into other languages, most commonly by volunteers who donate their time and expertise. ASSITEJ International cannot validate the accuracy of any content not written or presented in English – whether or not a volunteer has checked it.
Accessibility for Users Coming from Areas with Differing Levels of Internet Access
The platform has been created for computer and mobile browser viewing in as many locations as possible. However, some parts of the platform service may have problems in certain countries due to local laws and international regulations. We are happy to work directly with users and / or ASSITEJ National Centers to provide alternative access to those coming from countries where certain elements may be blocked.
If you wish to report content you want to access but cannot due to the software we are using to store or display it, please contact us via the chat feature or by emailing help@assitejonline.org.
All Known Issues are Listed Here:
• Our Messaging Channel (hosted by Freshdesk via the ‘Have A Question?’ widget on assitejonline.org) may not work in Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Turkey, and Uganda. If you are from any of these countries and require help, please email info@assitej-international.org.
• Our Live-Streamed Events will take place on ZOOM which users from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and some regions of Ukraine will not be able to access. Instead, please wait for the recording of these live sessions to be published on the website (most will be uploaded between 2 and 24 hours after the live event).
• Our Recorded Events will be displayed using an embedded video player. This is expected to operate fine in most countries, however, there may be periods in which it is not accessible to users in Russia or Ukraine. If you are having difficulties, please message our team via techsupport@assitejonline.org and explain your situation and we will try and provide access for you in other ways.
• We use PayPal as our payment gateway. PayPal works in all countries except: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Monaco, Moldova, Montenegro, Myanmar, Pakistan, Paraguay, Russia, Saint Lucia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Timor-Leste, Uzbekistan, and Zimbabwe. If you are having difficulties buying an Access Pass or Ticket from these countries, please message our team via tickets@assitejonline.org and explain your situation and we will provide alternative methods of payment.
• Please note that users from China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and Venezuela may experience some disruption with our platform services occasionally. If you are from any of these countries and require help, please get in touch with us via the chat feature or send an email to techsupport@assitejonline.org.
Accessibility for Differently-Abled Users
The ‘ASSITEJ Online’ platform makes available the UserWay Website Accessibility Widget (an extra piece of website technology), which is powered by a dedicated accessibility server. The widget allows the ‘ASSITEJ Online’ platform to improve its compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1).
The ‘ASSITEJ Online’ platform’s accessibility menu can be enabled by clicking the accessibility menu icon that appears on the corner of the page. After clicking the accessibility menu, please wait a moment for the accessibility menu to completely load.
Platform Compliance Status
• We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone. We are committed to providing a platform that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of ability or disability.
• To fulfil this, we aim to strictly follow the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level. These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the platform is accessible to blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairments, cognitive disabilities, and more.
• This platform uses various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We use an accessibility tool that allows people with specific disabilities to adjust the platform’s UI (user experience) and design it to their personal needs.
• Additionally, the platform uses an AI-based application that runs in the background and constantly ensures a high accessibility level. This application repairs the platform’s HTML and adapts its functionality and behaviour for screen-readers used by blind users and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
• If you wish to contact us with any notes, comments, and/or feedback, please use the following email help@assitejonline.org.
Screen-Reader and Keyboard Navigation
The ASSITEJ International platform implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various behavioral changes. This is to ensure blind users visiting with screen-readers can read, comprehend, and enjoy the platform’s functions. Here’s how the platform covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements:
Screen-Reader Optimization
• We run a process that learns the platform’s parts from top to bottom to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the platform. In this process, we provide screen readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others.
• Additionally, the background process scans all the platform’s images. It creates an accurate image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described.
• It also extracts texts from within the image using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology. Screen-reader users should get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the platform.
• These adjustments are compatible with popular screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.
Keyboard Navigation Optimisation
• The background process also adjusts the platform’s HTML and adds a mix of behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website useable by keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the platform, close pages, and fill / navigate between radio and checkbox elements with the keyboard.
• Additionally, keyboard users will find content-skip menus available at any time or as the first element of the platform while navigating with the keyboard.
• The background process also handles triggered popups (new windows) by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, not allowing the focus to drift outside.
• Users can also use shortcuts to jump to specific elements.
Disability Profiles Supported on the ‘ASSITEJ Online’ Platform
ADHD Profile
• This profile significantly reduces distractions and noise to help people with ADHD and Neurodivergent people browse, read, and focus on the essential elements more easily.
Blind Profile (Screen-Readers)
• This profile adjusts the platform to be compatible with screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. If a screen reader is installed on the blind user’s computer, this platform is compatible with it.
Cognitive & Learning Profile
• This profile provides various assistive features to help users with cognitive disabilities, such as Autism, Dyslexia, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements more easily.
Colour Blind Profile
• This profile heightens the colour contrast on the platform in order to accommodate people with colour blindness.
Dyslexia Profile
• This profile changes the font style, size, and spacing in order to make it easier for people with dyslexia to read the platform content.
Motor-Impaired Profile (Keyboard Navigation)
• This profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the platform using the keyboard. Users can also use shortcuts to jump to specific elements.
Seizure & Epileptic Profile
• This profile enables people with epilepsy to safely use the platform by eliminating the risk of seizures resulting from flashing or blinking animations and risky colour combinations.
Visually-Impaired Profile
• This profile adjusts the platform so that it is accessible to the majority of visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataracts, Glaucoma, and others.
Additional User Interface, Design, and Readability Adjustments
Font Adjustments
• Users can increase and decrease the font size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Colour Adjustments
• Users can select various colour contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap colour schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds with different colouring options.
Animations
• Epileptic users can stop running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions but not animated slider menus.
Content Highlighting
• Users can choose to emphasize essential elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio Muting
• Users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire platform instantly.
Understanding
• We use a dictionary, allowing users to decipher the meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional Functions
• We allow users to change cursor colour and size and many other functions.
Assistive Technology and Browser Compatibility
• We aim to support as many browsers and support technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best-fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked hard to be able to support all major browsers.
In an ongoing effort to continually improve and repair accessibility issues. We also regularly scan the platform with UserWay’s Accessibility Scanner to identify and fix every possible accessibility barrier on our platform. Despite our efforts to make all pages and content on the platform fully accessible, some content may not have yet been fully adapted to the strictest accessibility standards. This may be a result of not having found or identified the most appropriate technological solution.