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Accessibility in Blackboard App

Blackboard is invested in the usability and accessibility of all our products and services. We employ a proactive, multifaceted accessibility strategy that includes a shared accountability model for accessibility grounded in the disability community’s feedback. We leverage an international team of accessibility specialists to mentor product teams in integrating accessibility and inclusivity best practices. In keeping with our strong tradition of leadership around accessibility, our products are generally designed and developed with internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) in mind.

Semantic structure and navigation

Blackboard uses the same navigation structure for all mobile applications based on our tab menu. Accessibility options vary between devices, so choosing the best device for you is important. If you’re using the mobile application, review your device-specific accessibility options. Our mobile application is available for Android and iOS.

The mobile application has two regions: the tab menu and the selection interface. The selection interface changes depending on the selections that you make from the tab menu. For example, if you select Courses from the menu of your Activity Stream, the selection interface leaves the Activity Stream and now has your courses.

Touch Navigation

This is device-specific and depends on what options are on your device. The device interacts with content by speaking what your finger or pointing device is over, and then you can select that option by performing an additional action.

Content editor

The content editor is always expanded in the mobile application. Editor options can be selected with the accessibility options of touch navigation. No additional keyboard combinations are used for interactions, unless a specific device requires it.

Visual presentation and multimedia content

  • The visual presentation of text, graphic elements, and user interface components and states offer appropriate color contrast.

  • Users can distinguish alternative text for images in course content, course banner, or content editor.

  • Buttons in the interface have an accessible name or label allowing assistive technology users to perceive the purpose of the element.

Device accessibility features

iOS

  • VoiceOver. A screen reader that allows users to navigate their phones with gestures and touch the screen to hear what they select.

  • Zoom. A magnifying tool used to enlarge any item on the screen from 100–1,500 percent.

  • Color filters. Display accommodations that allow the fine-tuning of colors, hues, and tints to support vision impairments and color blindness.

  • Switch Control. A navigation tool that enables actions through Bluetooth switch hardware for users with physical disabilities and limited motor skills.

  • AssistiveTouch. An onscreen menu for navigation and functionality rather than more complex actions such as pushing the Home button or tapping two places on the screen simultaneously.

Learn more about iOS accessibility features.

Android

  • TalkBack. A screen reader that uses both touch and spoken feedback to help with navigation, alerts, and notifications.

  • Visual settings. This group of settings allows for adjustments to be made to display and font sizes, colors and contrast, and magnification.

  • Switch Access. A switch used to control actions in place of using the touch screen. Switch Access uses external switch devices, keyboards, and alternative buttons built into the device.

Learn more about Android accessibility features

Device reduced motion setting

iOS

Go to the Motion section of your device’s Accessibility settings. Set Reduce motion to On.

Android

Go to the Accessibility section of your device’s settings. Set Remove animations to On.