Accessibility Statement

Our target

We aim to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at level AA across the site: the grader, results, sign-in, checkout and, when they arrive, the teacher tools. WCAG 2.2 AA includes everything in WCAG 2.1 AA.

What we build in

• Everything works with a keyboard alone, with a visible focus outline that isn't hidden behind the sticky header.
• Text contrast of at least 4.5:1, and at least 3:1 for controls and graphics, in both light and dark mode.
• Colour is never the only signal: score rows carry letters and “3/4” text, and highlighted quotes are underlined as well as coloured.
• Every form field has a label, and errors are tied to the field they describe.
• Results are announced politely to screen readers when they arrive, and focus moves to the score.
• Pages reflow at 320 pixels wide and work at 200% text zoom without losing content.
• Animations stop when your device asks for reduced motion.
• Buttons and links are at least 24 by 24 pixels; most are 44 pixels tall.
• Sign-in uses an emailed code you can paste or autofill. There are no puzzles or memory tests.
• Results print cleanly, and the web page version is the accessible alternative to a PDF.

Known limitations

We know about these and are working on them:

• No independent audit yet. Our testing so far is automated checks and our own keyboard testing. A manual pass with VoiceOver (iOS) and NVDA (Windows) on the grade, sign-up and checkout flows is planned before launch.
• Payment pages. Checkout runs on Dodo Payments' pages, which we don't control. If you have trouble paying, email us and we'll help.
• Documents as images. The grader reads text only. For DBQs, documents must be pasted as text; images of documents aren't supported.
• Printed and PDF results are a convenience copy. Use the web page with a screen reader; it has the same content with full structure.
• Teacher tools aren't available yet. They'll be tested against the same standard before they open.

Report a problem

If something on GradeLamp is hard or impossible to use, email support@gradelamp.com. It helps to tell us the page, what you were trying to do, and the device, browser and any assistive technology you use, but send whatever you have. We reply within one business day, and if we can't fix the problem quickly we'll help you another way, for example by sending your result as plain text.

Please don't include your essay in the email unless you want us to see it.

For schools and districts

Before we work with a district, we'll commission a third-party audit and publish an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) on the current VPAT template. Until then, we're glad to answer specific questions. See also GradeLamp for teachers.