Skip to main content

Global Health

Summary

Accessiblü conducted a high-level accessibility evaluation of the Global Health learning platform from CABI Digital Library to assess its usability for individuals with disabilities. The review was conducted using the JAWS and NVDA screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, and manual inspection for conformance to select WCAG 2.2 AA success criteria.

The Global Health platform serves as a comprehensive resource for public health research and education, offering extensive content collections and sophisticated search capabilities. Our evaluation identified accessibility barriers that may present challenges for users relying on assistive technologies, alongside areas where the platform already supports inclusive access. These findings represent strategic improvement opportunities that would enhance the research experience for all users while strengthening the platform's educational mission.

Key Findings

Our evaluation revealed several areas where accessibility improvements would benefit users of assistive technologies, particularly those using screen readers and keyboard-only navigation. While these issues may present challenges for some users, they represent systematic improvement opportunities rather than fundamental design flaws. Addressing these concerns would enhance the platform's accessibility for persons with disabilities while improving the overall user experience for all learners.

Top 3 Issues

1. Heading Structure Enhancement

  • Brief description: The platform's heading hierarchy begins with H6 and includes non-sequential heading levels that may create navigation challenges for screen reader users.
  • Impact: Users who rely on heading navigation may experience difficulty understanding page structure and locating content efficiently.
  • WCAG Success Criteria: 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (A), 2.4.6 Headings and Labels (AA)

2. Navigation Menu State Announcements

  • Brief description: Dropdown menus and collapsible sections do not consistently announce their expanded or collapsed state to screen readers.  
  • Impact: Users with visual impairments may not understand the current state of interactive elements, leading to confusion during navigation.
  • WCAG Success Criteria: 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (A)

3. Form Element State Communication

  • Brief description: Some form controls, particularly in the advanced search interface, do not clearly communicate their availability or constraints to assistive technology users.
  • Impact: Users may attempt to interact with unavailable controls or miss important form functionality.
  • WCAG Success Criteria: 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (A), 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (A)

Disabilities Impacted

Blind and Low-Vision Users

  • Issues: Non-sequential heading structure, inconsistent landmark regions, and missing state information for interactive elements may impact efficient screen reader navigation.
  • Impact: Users may need additional time to locate and understand content organization, potentially affecting their ability to efficiently research and access learning materials.

Users with Motor Disabilities

  • Issues: Some dropdown menus and interactive elements may present challenges for users relying on keyboard-only navigation or alternative input devices
  • Impact: Keyboard users may encounter difficulty activating certain interface elements or understanding their current state without visual confirmation.

Neurodiverse Users

  • Issues: Inconsistent navigation patterns and unclear form element states may create cognitive load challenges for users with attention or processing differences.
  • Impact: Users may experience increased difficulty understanding interface expectations and maintaining focus on learning objectives due