Document Version: 1.2
Latest Revision Date: June 2025
Evaluation Standard: WCAG 2.1 Level AA
Executive Summary
The Energy Transition Show resource website substantially conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards. As a podcast-focused platform built on WordPress with custom accessibility enhancements, the site provides multiple pathways for users with disabilities to access content through both web-based features and recommended accessible podcast applications.
Platform Architecture
Content Management System: WordPress core with custom theme Primary Content Format: Audio podcasts with enhanced accessibility features Mobile Compatibility: Responsive design optimized for multiple devices Browser Support: Compatible with major browsers and assistive technologies Key Accessibility Features
Audio Content Accessibility
Interactive Transcript Player: Real-time synchronized transcripts that highlight text as audio plays, providing visual tracking for users with hearing impairments or auditory processing differences Transcript Search: Full-text search functionality within episode transcripts allows users to quickly locate specific topics or speakers Multiple Access Methods: Content available through both website player and accessible podcast applications, ensuring compatibility with user's preferred assistive technology setup Episode Descriptions: Comprehensive text descriptions for all audio content, including guest information, topic summaries, and relevant links Playback Controls: Enhanced audio controls including speed adjustment, skip forward/backward, and clear play/pause indicators Chapter Markers: Episodes include structured chapters accessible via both web player and podcast applications Mobile Accessibility Excellence
Touch Target Sizing: All interactive elements meet minimum 44px touch target requirements for users with motor disabilities Mobile Screen Reader Optimization: Full compatibility with iOS VoiceOver and Android TalkBack Responsive Typography: Text scales appropriately across all device sizes, supporting zoom up to 500% without horizontal scrolling Mobile Navigation: Collapsible hamburger menu with clear labels and logical tab order Swipe Gestures: Standard swipe navigation supported for transcript reading and episode browsing Orientation Support: Content accessible in both portrait and landscape orientations Mobile-Optimized Transcripts: Transcripts formatted for easy mobile reading with appropriate line spacing and font sizing Screen Reader Optimization
Semantic HTML5 Structure: Proper use of article, section, header, nav, and main landmarks for easy screen reader navigation Descriptive Link Text: All links include meaningful context (e.g., "Read transcript for Episode #252" rather than "Click here") Image Alt Text: All images include descriptive alternative text, including decorative images marked appropriately Skip Links: Hidden skip navigation links allow screen reader users to bypass repetitive content ARIA Labels: Enhanced labeling for complex interactive elements like the audio player and search functionality Heading Hierarchy: Logical H1-H6 structure provides clear content outline for screen reader users Table Headers: Data tables include proper header associations for screen reader comprehension Content Structure & Readability
Clear Content Organization: Episodes organized chronologically with consistent metadata (date, duration, guest information) Plain Language: Content written in accessible language with technical terms explained Consistent Layout: Predictable page structure across all episodes and sections White Space Usage: Adequate spacing between content blocks improves readability for users with cognitive disabilities Typography Hierarchy: Clear visual and semantic distinction between headings, body text, and metadata Content Chunking: Long-form content broken into digestible sections with descriptive subheadings Visual Design & Navigation
High Contrast Design: Custom theme utilizes high contrast fonts and color schemes, meeting WCAG AA contrast ratios (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text) Color Independence: Information never conveyed through color alone; additional indicators like text labels and symbols used Clear Navigation Structure: Logical page hierarchy with descriptive menu labels (Episodes, About, FAQ, Help with Playing Podcasts, Job Board) Breadcrumb Navigation: Clear path indicators help users understand their location within the site Semantic HTML Structure: WordPress foundation provides proper heading hierarchy and semantic markup Responsive Layout: Adapts to different screen sizes and zoom levels up to 200% without loss of functionality Interactive Elements & Controls
Keyboard Navigation: Complete keyboard accessibility with logical tab order and visible focus indicators Focus Management: Clear focus indicators with sufficient contrast (3:1 minimum) and consistent styling Audio Player Accessibility: Keyboard controls for all playback functions (space bar play/pause, arrow keys for seeking) Screen reader announcements for current time, duration, and playback status Clear labels for all player buttons and controls Contact and submission forms include proper labeling with associated form controls Error messages clearly linked to problematic fields Required field indicators both visual and programmatic Search Functionality: Site search includes autocomplete suggestions and clear result descriptions Social Sharing: Sharing buttons include descriptive text and keyboard accessibility WCAG 2.1 Compliance Assessment
Level A (Basic Accessibility): Substantially Conforms
1.1.1 Non-text Content: Audio content supported by comprehensive transcripts; images include alternative text 1.2.1 Audio-only (Prerecorded): Full transcripts provided for all podcast episodes 1.3.1 Info and Relationships: Semantic HTML structure with proper headings, lists, and landmarks 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence: Content presented in logical reading order across all devices 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics: Instructions don't rely solely on sensory characteristics 1.4.1 Use of Color: Information conveyed through multiple indicators, not color alone 1.4.2 Audio Control: Users can pause, stop, or control audio volume independently 2.1.1 Keyboard Access: All functionality available via keyboard navigation 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap: Users can navigate away from all page elements using keyboard 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide: Auto-playing content can be controlled by users 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks: Skip links provided for main content navigation 2.4.2 Page Titled: All pages have descriptive, unique titles 3.1.1 Language of Page: Page language properly declared for screen readers 3.2.1 On Focus: Focus changes don't trigger unexpected context changes 3.2.2 On Input: Input changes don't trigger unexpected context changes 4.1.1 Parsing: Valid HTML markup for proper assistive technology interpretation 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value: UI components have appropriate names and roles Level AA (Standard Accessibility) - Substantially Conforms
1.2.4 Captions (Live): Not applicable - content is prerecorded 1.2.5 Audio Description: Transcripts provide comprehensive content description 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum): High contrast design meets 4.5:1 ratio for normal text, 3:1 for large text 1.4.4 Resize Text: Text scalable to 200% without assistive technology, maintaining functionality 1.4.5 Images of Text: Text preferred over images of text where possible 1.4.10 Reflow: Content reflows properly at 320px width without horizontal scrolling 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast: Interactive elements meet 3:1 contrast ratio with adjacent colors 1.4.12 Text Spacing: Content adapts to increased text spacing without loss of functionality 1.4.13 Content on Hover/Focus: No essential content appears only on hover 2.4.3 Focus Order: Keyboard focus follows logical sequence through page elements 2.4.4 Link Purpose: Link text clearly describes destination or function 2.4.5 Multiple Ways: Content accessible via navigation, search, and direct links 2.4.6 Headings and Labels: Clear, descriptive headings and form labels throughout 2.4.7 Focus Visible: Keyboard focus clearly visible on all interactive elements 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures: All functionality accessible without complex gestures 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation: Click actions can be cancelled before completion 2.5.3 Label in Name: Visible labels match programmatic names for voice control users 2.5.4 Motion Actuation: Functionality doesn't depend on device motion 3.1.2 Language of Parts: Language changes marked appropriately 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation: Navigation structure consistent across pages 3.2.4 Consistent Identification: UI components identified consistently throughout site 3.3.1 Error Identification: Form errors clearly identified and described 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions: Form inputs include clear labels and instructions 4.1.3 Status Messages: Important status changes announced to screen readers Level AAA (Enhanced Accessibility) - Partial Conformance
1.2.7 Extended Audio Description: Enhanced through comprehensive transcript search functionality 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced): High contrast theme exceeds enhanced contrast requirements where feasible 1.4.8 Visual Presentation: Text blocks maintain readability with user customizations 2.2.3 No Timing: No time limits imposed on content consumption 2.4.8 Location: Clear indicators of user's location within site structure 3.1.4 Abbreviations: Technical terms explained in context or through glossaries Notable Accessibility Strengths
Enhanced Audio Accessibility: Interactive transcripts exceed basic WCAG requirements Multi-Modal Access: Content available through website and accessible podcast apps Search Functionality: Transcript search provides enhanced content discovery WordPress Foundation: Inherits accessibility features from WordPress core Recommended Accessible Podcast Applications
For users requiring enhanced accessibility features, we recommend:
Apple Podcasts (iOS/macOS)
Customizable playback speeds Areas of Ongoing Attention
While the platform substantially conforms to WCAG 2.1 AA, we continue to monitor and improve:
Color Contrast Verification: Regular auditing of all color combinations across the site Form Validation: Ensuring error messages are clearly associated with form fields Third-party Content: Monitoring accessibility of embedded social media and sharing widgets User Support & Accommodations
Comprehensive Accessibility Support
Primary Contact Information:
Response Time: Within 2 business days for accessibility requests Emergency Support: Priority handling for critical accessibility barriers Available Accommodations
⠀Technical Assistance:
Personalized guidance for podcast app setup with accessibility features Mobile accessibility troubleshooting Alternative access method recommendations Custom RSS feed configurations for specialized podcast apps ⠀Proactive Support Services:
Accessibility feature tutorials and documentation Regular check-ins with institutional subscribers about accessibility needs Custom training sessions for assistive technology optimization Collaboration with university disability services offices ⠀Mobile Testing:
iOS devices with VoiceOver across multiple Safari versions Android devices with TalkBack across Chrome and Samsung Internet Tablet testing for both iOS and Android platforms Voice control testing (iOS Voice Control, Android Voice Access) Assistive Technology Compatibility
Confirmed Compatible With:
JAWS (Windows) - Episodes, transcripts, and navigation fully accessible NVDA (Windows) - Complete functionality including audio player controls VoiceOver (macOS/iOS) - Optimized for both desktop and mobile experiences TalkBack (Android) - Full feature access including transcript search Dragon NaturallySpeaking - Voice navigation and control supported ZoomText - Magnification software compatibility verified Windows Narrator - Basic functionality confirmed Switch Control (iOS/Android) - Switch navigation supported for users with motor disabilities
Energy Transition Show - WCAG Conformance Summary
