Survey Accessibility & Assistive Technology
Compass surveys are designed to be accessible to all participants, including those who rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, or high-contrast displays. No special links, alternate survey versions, or additional configuration are required — accessibility is built directly into the standard survey experience.
Standards Compliance
The Compass survey experience is fully compliant with internationally recognized accessibility standards:
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) The global standard for web accessibility, ensuring content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users.
WAI-ARIA 1.2 Provides semantic attributes that help assistive technologies accurately interpret and interact with survey elements such as questions, rating scales, and navigation controls.
Section 508 (U.S. Rehabilitation Act) Meets the accessibility provisions required for federally regulated organizations and those following U.S. accessibility standards.
Compliance is continuously validated through automated testing integrated into the development pipeline, using industry-standard tools such as axe-core and Playwright.
Compass surveys support compliance with Canadian accessibility legislation including the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), as well as U.S. requirements under Section 508 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If your organization is subject to these or similar regulations, Compass surveys are designed to help you meet your obligations.
Screen Reader Support
Compass surveys include proper semantic HTML structure, heading hierarchy, and ARIA attributes so that screen reader software can accurately convey survey content. This includes compatibility with popular screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver.
Participants using screen readers will hear:
Survey instructions and page titles
Question text and available response options
Required field indicators
Validation messages and error prompts
Navigation controls to move between survey pages
All standard question types, including rating scales, multiple choice, matrix questions, and open-ended text fields, are fully accessible to screen readers.
Keyboard Navigation
Participants can complete the entire survey using only a keyboard. This includes:
Tabbing between questions and response options
Selecting answers using the spacebar or arrow keys
Navigating between survey pages
Submitting the completed survey
Focus indicators are visible throughout the survey so keyboard users always know which element is currently active.
High-Contrast Display
Compass surveys support a high-contrast theme optimized for readability. This benefits participants with low vision or those who use system-level high-contrast settings on their device.
Mobile Accessibility
Compass surveys are responsive and mobile-friendly. Participants using mobile assistive features, such as VoiceOver on iOS or TalkBack on Android can complete surveys on their smartphones or tablets with the same level of accessibility as on desktop.
Tips for Maximizing Survey Accessibility
When designing your survey, keep these best practices in mind to ensure the best experience for all participants:
Write clear, concise question text. Simple language benefits everyone, especially participants using screen readers.
Use descriptive labels for rating scales. Instead of just numbers (1–5), include labels like "Strongly Disagree" through "Strongly Agree" so the meaning is clear without visual context.
Keep survey length reasonable. Longer surveys can be more fatiguing for participants using assistive technologies. Aim for 10–15 minutes.
Avoid relying on colour alone to convey meaning. If a question uses colour-coding, include text labels as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can participants using screen readers complete Compass surveys?
Yes. Compass surveys include full ARIA attribute support and semantic HTML, making them compatible with major screen readers including JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver.
Do participants need a special link or alternate survey version?
No. Accessibility is built into the standard survey experience. All participants receive the same survey URL and complete the same survey.
What if a participant encounters an accessibility issue?
Please contact your TalentMap project manager or reach out to our support team. We take accessibility feedback seriously and will work to resolve any issues promptly.
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