Built to meet WCAG 2.2 AA

We aim to meet WCAG 2.2 level AA across this site. This page says what we have done, what we know is not right yet, and how to tell us when we have missed something.

What we have done

• Every page has a skip link to the main content, and the main region is a real landmark.
• Headings are ordered properly. One h1 per page, then h2 and h3 in sequence, with no levels skipped for visual effect.
• Every navigation region is labelled, so a screen reader user can tell the primary nav from the footer columns.
• Body text is near black on white at roughly 16:1. Our muted text sits at about 4.8:1, which passes AA, and we do not go lighter than that.
• Our brand lime is a light color. We never use it as text or as a lone icon on a white surface, because it measures about 1.2:1 and would be invisible. On a lime fill we use a dark ink at roughly 13:1.
• Icon only buttons carry a label. Decorative graphics are hidden from assistive technology rather than announced as meaningless images.
• Every interactive control has a visible focus ring.
• Reduced motion is honored. If your system asks for less motion, the scroll reveals and bar fills do not run.
• Dialogs trap focus and close on Escape.
• The site works at 200 percent zoom without horizontal scrolling. Wide tables scroll inside their own container rather than pushing the page sideways.

What is not right yet

We would rather tell you than let you find out:

• Our rating charts render as graphics. We publish the same numbers as text next to every chart, so the information is never only in the picture, but the charts themselves are not navigable.
• The screenshot carousel is operable by keyboard but the experience is better with a mouse.
• We have not tested with every screen reader and version combination. Our testing covers NVDA on Windows and VoiceOver on macOS and iOS.

Tell us

If something on this site does not work for you, email hello@softshortlist.com and describe what happened and what you were using. We treat accessibility bugs as bugs, not as feature requests, and we will reply within five business days.

If it is stopping you doing something, say so and we will prioritize it accordingly.

Where we stand legally

WCAG 2.2 AA is the standard referenced by Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the United States, and by the Accessible Canada Act and the AODA in Ontario. We are aiming at the same target as both, because it is the right target and not because anyone has told us to.