Accessibility Conformance Report (VPAT®)
VPAT® Version: 2.5 (WCAG)
Product name: SpeechGradebook
Product version: Hosted web application (current production)
Product description: AI-assisted speech evaluation platform for instructors, admins, and Practice users
Vendor: ValidBound LLC
Report date: July 2026
Contact: speechgradebook.com/contact (note Accessibility)
Related public statement: Accessibility Statement.
:::note Evaluation basis This ACR is a self-assessment by ValidBound based on design standards, internal review, and assistive-technology spot checks. It is not a third-party certified audit. Institutions may request clarification or schedule a deeper review via the contact form. :::
Evaluation methods used
- Manual keyboard navigation of primary instructor and Practice workflows
- Spot checks with screen readers (NVDA and/or VoiceOver) on core screens
- Automated checks for contrast and common issues on primary views
- Review against WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA success criteria
- Review of known limitations (user-uploaded media, third-party embeds)
Applicable standards / guidelines
| Standard / guideline | Included in report |
|---|---|
| WCAG 2.1 Level A | Yes |
| WCAG 2.1 Level AA | Yes |
| WCAG 2.1 Level AAA | No |
| Revised Section 508 | Reported separately on request |
| EN 301 549 | Not evaluated |
Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supports | Functionality meets the criterion without known exceptions in primary product UI |
| Partially Supports | Some functionality meets the criterion; exceptions or limitations exist |
| Does Not Support | Majority of functionality does not meet the criterion |
| Not Applicable | Criterion is not relevant to the product |
WCAG 2.1 report summary
| Conformance level | Overall remarks |
|---|---|
| Level A | Partially Supports — Core navigation, forms, and structure are designed for accessibility; some dynamic evaluation and chart views need continued hardening |
| Level AA | Partially Supports — Contrast, resize, and focus patterns target AA; complex analytics and user-generated video remain the main gaps |
Table 1: Success criteria, Level A
| Criteria | Conformance | Remarks and explanations |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1.1 Non-text Content | Partially Supports | Product icons and UI images use alt text or ARIA labels. Charts may include text alternatives; decorative icons use aria-hidden. User-uploaded speech video may lack captions (instructor/student content). |
| 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) | Partially Supports | Platform UI does not rely on audio-only instruction. Uploaded speech media is user-generated; captions/transcripts are encouraged but not guaranteed by the platform. |
| 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) | Partially Supports | Same as above for user-uploaded recordings. |
| 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) | Partially Supports | User-generated media; alternatives depend on instructor-provided materials. |
| 1.3.1 Info and Relationships | Supports | Semantic HTML, headings, labels, and landmarks are used across primary screens. |
| 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence | Supports | Reading and focus order follow visual structure on primary flows. |
| 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics | Supports | Instructions do not rely on shape, size, or sound alone. |
| 1.4.1 Use of Color | Supports | Status and meaning are not conveyed by color alone (text/icons used with color). |
| 1.4.2 Audio Control | Supports | No auto-playing audio in the product shell. |
| 2.1.1 Keyboard | Partially Supports | Primary actions and navigation are keyboard reachable. Some chart and advanced analytics interactions may be less efficient by keyboard. |
| 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap | Supports | Focus can move away from components using standard keys. |
| 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts | Supports | No single-character shortcuts that conflict with AT by default. |
| 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable | Supports | No unexpected short timeouts that block core tasks; auth sessions follow platform session policy. |
| 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide | Supports | Motion is limited; prefers-reduced-motion is respected where animations are used. |
| 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold | Supports | UI does not include flashing content above thresholds. |
| 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks | Supports | Skip link and landmark regions available on app shells. |
| 2.4.2 Page Titled | Supports | Pages and major views use descriptive titles. |
| 2.4.3 Focus Order | Supports | Focus order is logical on primary workflows. |
| 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) | Supports | Link text is descriptive in context. |
| 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures | Supports | Multipoint/path gestures are not required for core tasks. |
| 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation | Supports | Activation occurs on up-event patterns consistent with standard controls. |
| 2.5.3 Label in Name | Supports | Visible labels match accessible names for primary controls. |
| 2.5.4 Motion Actuation | Supports | Device motion is not required to operate the UI. |
| 3.1.1 Language of Page | Supports | lang attribute set on document. |
| 3.2.1 On Focus | Supports | Focusing controls does not unexpectedly change context. |
| 3.2.2 On Input | Supports | Changing settings does not unexpectedly force navigation without user action. |
| 3.3.1 Error Identification | Supports | Form errors are identified in text. |
| 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions | Supports | Form controls have labels/instructions. |
| 4.1.1 Parsing | Supports | HTML is authored for valid structure; issues are fixed as found. |
| 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value | Partially Supports | Standard controls expose name/role/value. Some custom components and dynamic regions continue to be improved for AT. |
Table 2: Success criteria, Level AA
| Criteria | Conformance | Remarks and explanations |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2.4 Captions (Live) | Not Applicable | No live broadcast media product feature. |
| 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) | Partially Supports | Depends on user-provided media alternatives. |
| 1.3.4 Orientation | Supports | Content usable in portrait and landscape. |
| 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose | Partially Supports | Common auth fields supported; some institutional forms may lack full autocomplete taxonomy. |
| 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) | Supports | Body and interactive text target WCAG AA contrast ratios. |
| 1.4.4 Resize Text | Supports | Text can be resized up to 200% with relative units on primary layouts. |
| 1.4.5 Images of Text | Supports | UI text is real text, not images of text (except logos). |
| 1.4.10 Reflow | Partially Supports | Primary views reflow; dense analytics tables may require horizontal scroll on small viewports. |
| 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast | Partially Supports | Interactive controls target AA; some chart glyphs may fall short in edge themes. |
| 1.4.12 Text Spacing | Supports | Content remains usable when spacing is adjusted within WCAG limits. |
| 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus | Partially Supports | Menus/tooltips are dismissible; ongoing review for all hover content. |
| 2.4.5 Multiple Ways | Supports | Navigation, search (where available), and direct links provide multiple paths. |
| 2.4.6 Headings and Labels | Supports | Headings and labels describe topic/purpose. |
| 2.4.7 Focus Visible | Supports | Visible focus indicators on interactive elements. |
| 3.1.2 Language of Parts | Partially Supports | Page language set; rare mixed-language content may not mark language changes. |
| 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation | Supports | Primary nav patterns are consistent across the app. |
| 3.2.4 Consistent Identification | Supports | Components with the same function are identified consistently. |
| 3.3.3 Error Suggestion | Supports | Error messages suggest corrections where known. |
| 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) | Partially Supports | Destructive actions use confirmation; consent and agreement flows use explicit confirmation. |
| 4.1.3 Status Messages | Partially Supports | Many status updates are announced; some asynchronous evaluation progress messages continue to be improved. |
Known limitations
- User-uploaded speech video may lack captions. Where the SpeechGradebook evaluation pipeline produces a transcript of the speech, that transcript can partially mitigate accessibility for prerecorded media, but it is not a full substitute for instructor-provided captions on all uploads.
- Third-party content (for example external links opened from the product) is outside ValidBound’s control.
- Course Insights / dense charts may offer a weaker experience with some assistive technologies than core evaluation flows.
- Older browsers may lack support for modern accessibility APIs.
Remediation and feedback
Report accessibility barriers via the contact form or see the Accessibility Statement. Target response: within 5 business days.
Legal disclaimer
VPAT® is a registered trademark of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI). This document uses the VPAT structure for institutional accessibility review. Conformance claims reflect ValidBound’s self-assessment as of the report date and may change as the product evolves.