Assessment platform accessibility features

For students sitting assessments, our test delivery app accommodates for the following:

  • Visual impairments (blindness, low vision, color blindness)
  • Hearing loss (deaf, hard of hearing)
  • Mobility impairments (paraplegia, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy)
  • Learning difficulties (dyslexia, processing disorders)
  • Mental health conditions
  • Physical disfigurements
  • Temporary injuries (with certain accommodations)

You’ll find the full list of accessibility features below.

 

Table of contents

  1. Visual accessibility features
  2. Visual accessibility features
  3. Assistive technology integration
  4. Accessibility accommodations & adjustments
  5. Platform-wide accessibility features
  6. Language and localisation
  7. Equity and universal design
  8. Compliance and standards

 

1. Visual accessibility features

Screen display adjustments

  • Zoom functionality – adjust magnification levels (up to 200%), or select “zoom-to-fit”.1
  • Apply high contrasts – adjust font colours to ensure text is accessible to those who are colour-blind.2
  • Colour themes – Fully customise colour theme settings, including:3,4
    • Black text with white background (BNW)
    • Black text with blue background (BNB)
    • Black text with lilac background (BNL)
    • Black text with green background (BNG)
    • Black text with yellow background (BNY)
    • White text with black background (inverted display)
  • Colour contrast modifications – Achieve a luminosity contrast ratio of at least 5:1 between text/graphics and background.6
  • Font customisation – Ability to change fonts, text appearance, and line spacing to help make reading easier for those with dyslexia and other learning difficulties.1

Visual content design

  • WCAG 2.0 AA compliance – All visual platform elements meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Level AA standards.5,6
  • Simple, clear layouts – Consistent and logical layout structure across items.6
  • Alternative visual questions (AIV) – Simplifies, enlarges or replaces images for students with visual impairments.4,1
  • Text alternatives for graphics – Alternative representations of information presented in graphical format.6

 

2. Auditory accessibility features

Audio support

  • Text-to-speech functionality – Compatible with screen reader software for students who are blind or have low vision.7
  • Audio alternative questions (AIA) – Replaces audio files with text alternatives (e.g., replacing spelling dictation with proofreading exercises).4,6
  • Audio testing tools – Built-in speaker testing functionality for students to verify audio settings.8

 

3. Assistive technology integration

Screen reader compatibility

  • JAWS support – Full compatibility with JAWS (Job Access With Speech) screen reader.2
  • NVDA support – Compatible with NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) screen reader.2
  • Kurzweil support – Integration with Kurzweil reading software.2

Keyboard and navigation

  • Keyboard navigation – Full keyboard accessibility for navigating assessments. Including tab navigation.9,10
  • Braille keyboard support – Compatible with braille keyboards for blind students to independently access assessment questions and respond.2,4

Alternative input methods

  • Mouth stylus compatibility – Support for students with motor impairments (paraplegia, cerebral palsy) to navigate exams using a mouth stylus.2
  • Eye-operated tools – Integration with eye-tracking technology for students with mobility impairments.2
  • Voice control support – Compatible with voice control systems for hands-free operation.2

 

4. Accessibility accommodations & adjustments

Time and pacing

  • Extra time allowances – Examiners can award additional time to students with learning difficulties.1,11
  • Double test time – Available for students using assistive technology where logistics affect time required to complete tests.12
  • Rest breaks – Provided for students with disabilities who need breaks to complete assessment tasks.4
  • Flexible pacing – Students can progress through tests at their own pace.1

Test modifications

  • Question substitution – Ability to swap question types (e.g., changing drag-and-drop to multiple choice) for students who cannot access certain interaction types.1
  • Disability Adjustment Codes (DAC) – Automatically configure the test player and substitute alternative items based on student needs.1,13

Support personnel

  • Scribe support – Students with physical disabilities who regularly work with a scribe can use this accommodation.4
  • NAPLAN support person – Available during tests for students with disabilities who need help indicating responses.4
  • Supervised assistance – Support for students who require help navigating the platform while maintaining test integrity.4

 

5. Platform-wide accessibility features

Offline and connectivity

  • Offline testing capability – Tests can be completed without internet connection via the Janison Replay app.8
  • Resilient testing – Platform works through internet dropouts and unstable connectivity.8

Test administration tools

  • Customizable toolbar – Administrators can show/hide tools based on test requirements and student needs.8

 

6. Language and localisation

Multi-language support

  • Display language selection – Students can select their preferred display language if configured.8
  • String resources – Customizable text elements for different languages.16
  • Cultural accessibility – Platform designed to be accessible across different cultural contexts.16

 

7. Equity and universal design

Inclusive design principles

  • Universal design approach – Platform built with accessibility considerations from the ground up.6
  • Equity focus – Ensures assessment evaluates knowledge, not barriers related to speed, dexterity, vision, hearing, or endurance.5
  • API framework for assistive technology – Software APIs allow seamless integration with various assistive technologies.17,5

 

8. Compliance and standards

  • WCAG 2.0 AA compliance – Meets international web accessibility standards.5,6
  • Disability Discrimination Act 1992 compliance – Adheres to Australian disability legislation.6,19
  • Disability Standards for Education 2005 compliance – Ensures students with disabilities can participate on the same basis as others.6

 

Note: Specific accessibility features available vary by assessment type, client configuration, and regional requirements. Institutions should work with their Janison account manager to configure appropriate accessibility settings for their students.

References

  1. Janison help: personal needs and preferences
  2. Janison blog: accessibility
  3. Janison help: test player theme
  4. NAPLAN: adjustments for students with disability
  5. NAPLAN: accessibility
  6. NAPLAN guidelines PDF
  7. Janison help: add audio to an item
  8. Janison help: Janison Replay
  9. Janison help: Replay keyboard shortcuts
  10. NAPLAN: keyboard shortcuts
  11. Janison help: test session administration
  12. NESA: disability adjustments
  13. QCAA: NAPLAN AARA
  14. Janison help: stationery tools
  15. Janison help: reference material
  16. Janison help: string resources
  17. Janison help: API framework
  18. Janison: professional associations
  19. NAPLAN: disability adjustment scenarios