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Prioritizing accessible digital tools ensures that every student—including those who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, or high-contrast interfaces—can participate fully in classroom activities.
Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) adopted for course instruction must comply with state and federal accessibility standards (ADA Title II, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act) by conforming to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA. Unapproved third-party student response systems (SRS) and polling applications can create significant barriers for disabled students and expose the university to legal compliance risks.
Instructors must evaluate accessibility compliance before introducing any new tool into their curriculum.
Recommended Engagement Tools
Instructors are strongly encouraged to use institutionally supported and audited platforms before looking at outside options.
iClicker (by Macmillan Learning)
As a primary recommendation, iClicker offers strong digital and hardware accessibility support.
- Web & App Interface: Compatible with screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver), fully navigable via keyboard, and supports up to 200% browser zoom.
- Physical Remotes: Physical iClicker+ and iClicker 2 remotes feature large buttons and Braille markings. Specialized models provide haptic feedback (vibrations) to confirm votes for visually impaired students.
- Instructor Guidance: Instructors should design high-contrast slides, add descriptive alt text to images, and avoid target/hotspot question types that hinder screen-reader and keyboard-only users. Review the iClicker Accessibility Overview and Guidelines for details.
Zoom Polling & Quizzes – Enterprise Supported
Because Zoom is already integrated into the campus tech stack, its built-in polling features present minimal access friction.
- Platform Accessibility: Built-in polling controls natively inherit system-level accessibility settings, high-contrast themes, screen reader compatibility, and full keyboard control.
- Ease of Access: Students do not need to register for third-party accounts or download external software to participate.
- Instructor Guidance: Instructors should announce polls verbally before launching them, read question prompts and final results aloud, and grant extra response time for students navigating via assistive technology. Refer to the Zoom Accessibility Best Practices Guide for comprehensive facilitation tips.
Instructor Checklist: Researching Third-Party Tools
If considering a tool outside of institutionally recommended options, instructors must complete the following steps prior to adoption:
- Request a VPAT / ACR: Ask the vendor for a current Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) / Accessibility Conformance Report. Verify that it evaluates against WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
- Test the Student Experience: Verify that student-facing activities can be completed using only a keyboard (no mouse) and high-contrast display modes.
- Avoid Color-Dependent Questions: Ensure that question prompts do not rely solely on color to convey information (e.g., "Select the green box").
- Provide Alternative Formats: Prepare non-digital or offline engagement alternatives (such as verbal polling or paper prompts) in case a student encounters an unexpected access barrier.
Accessibility Information for Other Engagement Tools
There are many competing tools for student engagement and response. Perhaps you already like and use one, prefer its features, etc. If you still choose to use alternatives to those recommended above, you MUST obtain proper documentation (VPAT / ACR) and have a plan to mitigate any accessibility gaps in the product.
Mentimeter
If specialized features (like word clouds or open-ended reaction boards) are needed beyond iClicker or Zoom, Mentimeter serves as a solid backup option.
- Participant Accessibility: Mentimeter’s student voting portal (menti.com) conforms well to WCAG standards, supporting keyboard navigation and screen readers.
- Built-In Accessibility Checker: Includes an editor-side accessibility checker and high-contrast theme options (e.g., Menti Light or Menti Dark) to ensure polls remain readable.
- Instructor Guidance: Instructors should use built-in high-contrast presentation themes, add detailed alt text to slide images, and share direct voting links in chat alongside QR codes.
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