Long-Term Commitment to Accessibility in Scrive:

Introduction to EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1)

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 is an internationally recognised standard for web accessibility, established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It aims to make web content more accessible to a broader range of people with disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, language, learning, and neurological disabilities. WCAG 2.1 builds on previous versions (WCAG 2.0 and 2.1) and introduces additional success criteria to address emerging accessibility challenges.
EN 301 549 is a European standard for digital accessibility, created by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in collaboration with the European Commission. This standard specifies the functional accessibility requirements for ICT (Information and Communication Technology) products and services.
Incorporates WCAG 2.1: EN 301 549 includes the WCAG 2.1 guidelines as part of its criteria for web accessibility.

Why the Distinction?

EN 301 549 is a broader standard that applies to a wide range of ICT products and services, not just web content. It uses WCAG 2.1 as a reference for the web accessibility portion of the standard.
The name “EN 301 549” reflects its status as a European Norm (EN), which is a standard that has been harmonised and adopted across European countries. The number “301 549” is a unique identifier for the standard within ETSI’s catalogue.
In summary, it’s called EN 301 549 because it’s a European standard that encompasses more than just web accessibility, while WCAG 2.1 is a specific set of guidelines within that standard. In Scrive’s case, we will be following the EN 301 549 WCAG 2.1 standard that includes all the required criteria for web accessibility.

Key Objectives of EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1)

Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. This includes providing text alternatives for non-text content, creating adaptable content, and ensuring distinguishable visual and auditory content.

• Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable. This includes making all functionality available from a keyboard, providing users enough time to read and use content, and avoiding content that can cause seizures or physical reactions.
• Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable. This involves making text readable and understandable, ensuring web pages appear and operate in predictable ways, and helping users avoid and correct mistakes.
• Robust: Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. This ensures compatibility with current and future tools used by people with disabilities.

 

Why EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1) Matters

Adhering to EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1) is crucial for creating inclusive digital experiences that cater to all users, regardless of their abilities. It not only enhances user satisfaction and engagement but also helps organisations comply with legal and regulatory requirements. By integrating these guidelines into our workflows and design processes, we can ensure our web content is accessible, usable, and beneficial for everyone.

Implementing EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1) at Scrive

To effectively implement EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1), Scrive will focus on the following steps:

• Education and Training: Ensuring all team members understand the principles and guidelines of EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1) through regular training sessions and resources.
• Accessibility Audits: Conducting regular audits of our web content to identify and address accessibility issues.
• Accessibility checklist: Follow the checklist to help track the accessibility progress of every criterion.
• Inclusive Design Practices: Embedding accessibility considerations into our design and development processes from the outset.
• User Testing: Engaging users with disabilities in testing phases to gain valuable insights and feedback.

By prioritising accessibility, we not only comply with standards but also demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the digital space.

Limitations of Accessibility and EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1) in the Scrive Application Suite

While Scrive is committed to adhering to the EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1) guidelines to ensure our application suite is as inclusive as possible, there are inherent limitations related to certain external factors that impact the overall accessibility of our services. Two primary areas where these limitations are evident include the integration of electronic identification (eID) systems and the use of PDF files in the signing flow.

Electronic Identification (eID) Systems

Scrive integrates various eID systems to facilitate secure and verified electronic signatures. However, the accessibility of these eID systems is contingent on the design and implementation by the respective eID providers. As a result:

• Inconsistent Accessibility Standards: Different eID providers may have varying levels of compliance with accessibility standards. Some eID systems might not fully support assistive technologies, such as screen readers or keyboard navigation, making them less accessible to users with disabilities.
• Limited Control: Scrive has limited control over the user interfaces and workflows provided by external eID systems. While we can advocate for improved accessibility features, the ultimate responsibility lies with the eID providers.

PDF Files in the Signing Flow

The use of PDF files for document signing presents another challenge in achieving full accessibility. Key issues include:

• User-Generated Content: Many of the documents uploaded to Scrive for signing are created by users or third parties. Ensuring that these documents are accessible requires that the content is legible and meets minimum quality level for use by assistive technology, which is beyond Scrive’s direct control.
• Technical Constraints: While tools and guidelines exist for creating accessible PDFs, the complexity and variability of document content can pose technical challenges. Features like complex tables, images without alternative text, and improperly ordered content can significantly hinder accessibility.

Addressing Accessibility Limitations

Despite these limitations, Scrive remains dedicated to improving accessibility within the scope of our control. Our approach includes:

• Advocacy and Collaboration: Working closely with eID providers to encourage the adoption of accessibility best practices and advocating for enhancements that benefit all users.
• Education and Support: Providing resources and guidance to our users on how to create accessible PDF documents and check the level of accessibility before sending the document for signing.
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly updating our platform to incorporate the latest accessibility features and ensuring our core services, such as the user interface and navigation, meet or exceed EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1) standards.

By acknowledging these limitations and actively working to mitigate their impact, Scrive aims to offer a more accessible and user-friendly experience for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.

Working Towards Gradual EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1) Compliance in Scrive’s SaaS Services

At Scrive, our commitment to accessibility is a long-term endeavour with the goal of continually improving our services in alignment with the EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1) standards. Given our diverse product suite, including eSign Online, eSign GO, eSign API, eID Hub, and ID Check, we need a structured approach to ensure each service gradually enhances its accessibility.

eSign Online, eSign GO, eSign API and Scrive QES

• Accessibility Audits: Regularly conduct comprehensive accessibility audits to identify areas for improvement.
• Assistive Technology Compatibility: Ensure compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies by refining our user interface and workflows.
• Inclusive Design: Integrate accessibility considerations into the design process, ensuring the user interface is navigable via keyboard and screen readers.
• Feedback Mechanism: Establish a feedback loop with users who have disabilities to gather insights and make necessary adjustments.
• Documentation and Training: Provide detailed documentation and training for creating accessible workflows and documents within the platform.
• Developer Resources: Offer comprehensive resources and guidelines for developers to implement accessible features when integrating with our API.
• Compliance Tools: Develop tools that assist developers in validating the accessibility of their implementations.
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly update the API to support the latest accessibility features and standards.

 

eID Hub, ID Check and Scrive QES

• Vendor Collaboration: Collaborate with eID providers to advocate for and ensure their systems meet high accessibility standards.
• User Interface Improvements: Enhance the accessibility of our interfaces that interact with various eID systems, ensuring they are usable by all users.
• Testing and Validation: Continuously test our integrations with eID systems for accessibility, addressing any issues promptly.

Addressing Document Accessibility

Given that many documents processed through Scrive are user-generated PDFs, which often have varying levels of accessibility, we must:

• Guidance and Resources: Provide comprehensive guidance and resources on how we approach document accessibility and implement internal processes to check the necessary level of accessibility throughout our development process.
• Unified experience: Secure that the document provides the same level of accessibility throughout the journey from agent working with the contract to the end user and signer.
• User Support: Offer support services to assist users in making their documents accessible before they enter the signing flow.
• Enrich the PDFs file: Use industry proven technology to add necessary tags and to structure the document for use by screen readers.

Long-Term Strategies

• Ongoing Training: Regularly train our development and design teams on the latest accessibility standards and best practices.
• User Engagement: Actively engage with users who rely on accessibility features to gather feedback and prioritise improvements.
• Regular Updates: Ensure our product suite is continuously updated to incorporate the latest accessibility features and standards.
• Wider usability and innovation: Explore and discover other document formats that will enhance our offering for a wider audience but at the same time we need to assure the experience will stay the same with a high level of accessibility.

By integrating these practices into our operations, Scrive aims to gradually enhance the accessibility of our services, ensuring a more inclusive experience for all users. For more information about our product offerings and accessibility efforts, you can visit Scrive.
By taking these steps, we demonstrate our long-term commitment to making our services accessible to everyone, thereby fostering inclusivity and compliance with international accessibility standards.

The Role of the Scrive Design Team

The Scrive design team plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s commitment to accessibility and adherence to EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1) standards, both in the short and long term. Their responsibilities and initiatives include:

Leadership in Accessibility Design:

• Design Principles: The design team is responsible for embedding accessibility principles into the core of Scrive’s product design. This involves creating intuitive and inclusive interfaces that cater to a diverse range of users, including those with disabilities.
• Innovative Solutions: By leveraging the latest design trends and technologies, the team ensures that all Scrive products are not only compliant with EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1) but also offer an exceptional user experience.

Collaboration and Integration:

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The design team works closely with the product, engineering, and management teams to ensure that accessibility is a shared priority across the organisation. This collaboration ensures that accessibility considerations are integrated into every stage of product development.
• User Feedback: By engaging with users, especially those with disabilities, the design team gathers valuable feedback to continuously improve and refine Scrive’s products.

Continuous Improvement and Support:

• Ongoing Training: The design team leads ongoing training sessions for all team members, ensuring that everyone is knowledgeable about accessibility standards and best practices.
• Support and Resources: They provide resources and support to other departments, helping them understand and implement accessibility features effectively.

Long-Term Commitment:

• Strategic Planning: The design team is instrumental in setting long-term accessibility goals and strategies, ensuring that Scrive remains at the forefront of accessibility innovation.
• Sustained Efforts: With the support of the product, engineering, and management teams, the design team ensures that accessibility is not a one-time project but a sustained, integral part of Scrive’s product development lifecycle.

Through Leadership, collaboration, and commitment, the Scrive design team ensures that the company not only meets but exceeds accessibility standards, creating a more inclusive digital experience for all users.

Commitment to Accessibility: Our Ongoing Journey

At Scrive, our dedication to accessibility is not merely a project with a defined endpoint but a continuous journey towards creating a more inclusive digital environment. As we strive to enhance our compliance with EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1) standards across all our services, we recognize that accessibility is a dynamic field, constantly evolving with new challenges and innovations.

Our approach is holistic, involving regular audits, user feedback, and collaboration with eID providers to ensure that every aspect of our service is as accessible as possible. By prioritising inclusive design and offering robust support and resources, we aim to empower all users, including those with disabilities, to fully utilise our services.

This long-term commitment reflects our core values of inclusivity, innovation, and excellence. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to refining our processes, embracing new technologies, and fostering an environment where accessibility is a fundamental aspect of our digital solutions.

Together, we can make a significant impact, not just by complying with standards but by leading the way in accessibility. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to create a more accessible digital world for everyone.