The first month of 2020 brings with it a substantial update to the accessibility features of Articulate Storyline 360. The changes relate to both the player and slide content. In this post we’ll take a look at these additions to find out what they mean for end users.
Storyline 360 player becomes the accessible player
The Storyline 360 player is now the accessible player. Both Modern and Classic player configurations have benefitted from a number of improvements.
Articulate states that this update allows learners to use a broader range of screen readers across more web browsers and devices. They also claim more screen reader features and improved player controls.
Expanded choice for screen readers
Previously, Storyline 360 solely indicated JAWS as their preferred/supported screen reader. Articulate has expanded this to include NVDA, VoiceOver (for Apple devices) and TalkBack (Google’s screen reader for Android devices). The greater choice of screen reader options, including open source and device-embedded options, means that the learner has broader scope to consume content on their own terms via their preferred device.
Visible cue for skip navigation shortcut
The skip navigation shortcut – which allows the learner to return to the first content object on a slide without tabbing through the player elements – is now visible when in focus. This provides context for sighted learners who are navigating with keyboard. Until now, screen readers announced the skip navigation feature without any visual cue, which may have caused confusion. The new visible shortcut can now be disabled if required.
Accessibility focus colour
Through the accessibility focus rectangle, learners who are using the keyboard for navigation can see which object is currently selected. Developers can change the colour of the rectangle from its default yellow to any colour more fitting with the course design.
Additional improvements to the player include the addition of keyboard shortcuts and the labelling of controls. Read the Articulate support document “Storyline 360: The Accessible Player Makes Navigation Easier”.
Slide content
Articulate has also made some adjustments to how both screen reader users and keyboard navigation users will consume slide content.
Changes for screen reader and keyboard navigation users
Both screen reader users and keyboard navigation users will see significant changes to how they previously consumed Storyline 360 generated content. The aim of these changes is to reduce the number of keystrokes required for these user groups. Developers must still set the tab order as normal but there have been changes to the subsequent end user experience.
- Screen reader users
- Objects in the tab order will be read immediately in the order they are listed in the tab order. The user does not need to tab to each object.
- Users can navigate through objects with the screen reader navigation keys (down and up keys).
- The tab and shift+tab keys will allow users to jump to the next or previous interactive object on a slide.
- Interactive objects can be selected with the enter key or spacebar.
- Keyboard navigation users
- The tab and shift+tab keys will allow users to jump to the next or previous interactive object on a slide.
- Interactive objects can be selected with the enter key or spacebar.
- Text and images are skipped when tabbing through slide content in order to reduce the number of keystrokes required.
The key change from previous Storyline 360 functionality in both cases above is that Storyline now groups text and images and treats them as one object on a slide. The tab and shift+tab functionality now moves the user through interactive objects, rather than individual slide elements.
Improved and newly accessible slide objects
Every element on a slide is now rendered as HTML, following best practice for web accessibility. This has driven improvements to how users encounter and consume content. The most significant outcome of this change is that hotspots and drop-down lists are now keyboard navigation accessible. Read the Articulate support document “Storyline 360: Slide Content Is More Accessible”.
The Learning Rooms run workshops for organisations who need to build accessible Storyline content. Contact us for more information.
