(Based on VPAT® Version 2.5)
Notes: Please refer to the Product Roadmap for the estimated resolution of issues found (see the “Product Roadmap” section below).
Evaluation Methods Used: Assistive technologies used in this evaluation included VoiceOver and NVDA, as well as exclusive use of the keyboard to navigate and operate the site content and functionality. Automatic tests were performed using the WAVE browser extension.
“Voluntary Product Accessibility Template” and “VPAT” are registered service marks of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI).
This report covers the degree of conformance for the following accessibility standard/guidelines:
| Standard/Guideline | Included In Report |
|---|---|
| Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 — Level A | Yes |
| WCAG 2.0 — Level AA | Yes |
| WCAG 2.0 — Level AAA | No |
| Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 — Level A | Yes |
| WCAG 2.1 — Level AA | Yes |
| WCAG 2.1 — Level AAA | No |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Supports | The functionality of the product has at least one method that meets the criterion without known defects or meets with equivalent facilitation. |
| Partially Supports | Some functionality of the product does not meet the criterion. |
| Does Not Support | The majority of product functionality does not meet the criterion. |
| Not Applicable | The criterion is not relevant to the product. |
| Not Evaluated | The product has not been evaluated against the criterion. This can only be used in WCAG Level AAA criteria. |
Note: When reporting on conformance with the WCAG 2.x Success Criteria, they are scoped for full pages, complete processes, and accessibility-supported ways of using technology as documented in the WCAG 2.0 Conformance Requirement.
| Criteria | Conformance Level | Remarks and Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1.1 Non-text Content | Partially Supports |
The site provides sufficient text alternatives for most instances of non-text content. Exceptions include:
|
| 1.2.1 Audio-only and 1.2.2 Video-only (Prerecorded) | Not Applicable | The site does not contain prerecorded audio-only or video-only media. |
| 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) | Supports | All videos with audio have captions provided or the ability for auto-captions to be enabled. |
| 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) | Not Applicable | The site does not contain prerecorded video content that would require audio description or a media alternative. |
| 1.3.1 Info and Relationships | Partially Supports |
Most visual structure and relationship information is provided through object information or is available in text. Exceptions include:
|
| 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence | Supports | The site content is presented in a meaningful sequence. |
| 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics | Supports | Instructions do not rely solely on sensory characteristics. |
| 1.4.1 Use of Color | Supports | Site content and functionality does not convey information through color alone. |
| 1.4.2 Audio Control | Not Applicable | The site does not contain audio that plays automatically. |
| 2.1.1 Keyboard | Partially Supports | Most site functionality can be accessed and operated using a keyboard. However, the mobile menu “hamburger” button is not usable by keyboard. |
| 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap | Supports | The site does not include keyboard traps. |
| 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts (2.1/2.2) | Not Applicable | The site does not provide character key shortcuts. |
| 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable | Partially Supports | The site does not include time limits. After submitting a query, the user is brought to a page that auto-refreshes status via JavaScript until the query is done running. |
| 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide | Not Applicable | The site does not contain flashing content. |
| 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold | Supports | The site does not contain flashing content. |
| 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks | Supports | A link to skip the page header to go to the main content is provided. |
| 2.4.2 Page Titled | Supports | The site’s web pages are titled. |
| 2.4.3 Focus Order | Partially Supports |
Most of the site’s components receive focus in a meaningful order. Exceptions include:
|
| 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) | Partially Supports |
Most links can be determined from the link text alone. Exceptions include:
|
| 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures (2.1/2.2) | Supports | The site does not rely on multipoint or path-based gestures. |
| 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation (2.1/2.2) | Supports | The site functions that use a single pointer are completed when the user releases the pointer. |
| 2.5.3 Label in Name (2.1/2.2) | Partially Supports | The accessible name of each UI component with a visible text label corresponds to that label text. Exceptions are documented in other failed criteria. |
| 2.5.4 Motion Actuation (2.1/2.2) | Not Applicable | The site does not have functionality operated by device motion or user motion. |
| 3.1.1 Language of Page | Supports | The default language is identified using the lang attribute on the html element. |
| 3.2.1 On Focus | Partially Supports | Most components do not initiate a change of context when focused. Exceptions include certain tabs or filters on internal content pages. |
| 3.2.2 On Input | Partially Supports | Most changes of context do not occur automatically on user input. Exceptions include certain filters that do not announce a change of context to screen readers. |
| 3.3.1 Error Identification | Supports | Where errors are automatically detected, the error is identified, and an error message is provided as text. |
| 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions | Partially Supports | A label is provided for each input field, with exceptions documented under other criteria. |
| 4.1.1 Parsing | Supports | WCAG 2.0 and 2.1 – Always supports. WCAG 2.2 (obsolete and removed) - Does not apply. |
| 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value | Partially Supports | Most components provide programmatic name, role, and/or state. Exceptions documented under other failed criteria. |
| Criteria | Conformance Level | Remarks and Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2.4 Captions (Live) | Not Applicable | The site does not contain live synchronized media. |
| 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) | Not Applicable | The site does not contain prerecorded video requiring audio description. |
| 1.3.4 Orientation (2.1/2.2) | Supports | The content does not restrict its view and operation to a single orientation. |
| 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose (2.1/2.2) | Not Applicable | The site does not contain input fields requiring personally identifiable information. |
| 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) | Partially Supports |
Most text meets minimum contrast. Exceptions include:
|
| 1.4.4 Resize Text | Supports | The site supports the ability to resize text. |
| 1.4.5 Images of Text | Supports | The site uses text instead of images of text. |
| 1.4.10 Reflow | Supports | Content supports reflow. |
| 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast (2.1/2.2) | Supports | Meaningful non-text content elements have sufficient contrast. |
| 1.4.12 Text Spacing (2.1/2.2) | Supports | Spacing between letters, words, lines, and paragraphs can be adjusted. |
| 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus (2.1/2.2) | Supports | The site does not contain content triggered by hover or focus. |
| 2.4.5 Multiple Ways | Supports | Multiple ways are provided to locate pages (site search, homepage listings, sidebar navigations). |
| 2.4.6 Headings and Labels | Supports | Headings and labels are descriptive. |
| 2.4.7 Focus Visible | Supports | Focusable elements have a visible focus indicator. |
| 3.1.2 Language of Parts | Supports | The language of each portion of the page is programmatically determinable. |
| 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation | Supports | Navigation is consistent and repeatable. |
| 3.2.4 Consistent Identification | Supports | Components with the same functionality are identified consistently. |
| 3.3.3 Error Suggestion | Supports | Error messages provide suggestions for correction. |
| 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) | Not Applicable | No forms cause legal/financial transactions or modify/delete user-controlled data. |
| 4.1.3 Status Messages (2.1/2.2) | Supports | Status messages can be programmatically determined. |
Not applicable. WRDS was not evaluated for WCAG 2.1 Level AAA conformance.
The University of Pennsylvania makes world wide web resources available to all segments of the University community and may provide listings of and/or links to web pages maintained by university faculty, students, staff, student organizations, non-University organizations and others. The University web space contains web pages that have been created by the University and its schools, departments or other administrative offices, as well as web pages generated by groups or individuals.
University departments, schools, and administrative offices strive to ensure the accuracy of their web pages. If you have a question or concern regarding any of the University web pages, please contact that department directly.
Personal, individual or group web pages are not endorsed, edited or approved by the University. The content and the items accessible from the pages are the sole responsibility of their creators and do not represent positions, policies or opinions of the University of Pennsylvania. If you have any questions about a particular page or document, please contact the site's author directly.
Some University of Pennsylvania web pages may contain links to web pages created by sources outside the University. The existence of these links does not suggest that the University approves or endorses the content of these web pages.
University Communications is responsible for the maintenance and design of the University of Pennsylvania home page and the central web pages but is not responsible for the timeliness or completeness of the information provided by other departments, individuals or schools. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about the University of Pennsylvania web pages, please send an email to webmaster@upenn.edu.
To learn more about the University of Pennsylvania web policies, click on the links below: Policy on Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources; Guidelines on Open Expression.
| Issue | Noted In | Expected Resolution Date / Status |
|---|---|---|
| Inaccessible PDF Content | 1.1.1 Non-text Content | Previously Resolved |
| Unlabeled fields on login form | 1.3.1 Info and Relationships | Previously Resolved |
In the main menu, aria-controls are not present. |
1.3.1 Info and Relationships | 4Q 2026 |
| Image Cards: “Read More” links are indistinguishable | 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) | 2Q 2026 |
| Certain filters do not announce a change of context to screen readers | 3.2.2 On Input | 4Q 2026 |
| Unlabeled icon buttons in mobile menu | 1.1.1 Non-text Content | Previously Resolved |
| Enable HighChart’s accessibility module and functionality | 1.1.1 Non-text Content | Will implement Q3 2026 |
| Focus order on tabs/filters | 2.4.3 Focus Order | Resolved 2025-02-26 — Issue #1021 |