Google Workspace
The NIHR Hub is centred around Google Workspace applications. These provide applications that are used predominantly for internal collaboration, however in some cases, have files or documents pointed externally. This may be through the sharing of a link, the embedding of a file in the site itself, or the use of Google Sites as a quick and easy externally facing website. As such, it is important to understand the compliance for these applications to WCAG 2.0/2.1 guidelines.
Google Drive is the NIHR Hub Cloud file storage, and is often a central location for users to start a new document or access an existing one. Google Drive is WCAG 2.0 AA Compliant, with the full report available here noting any areas of partial rather than total support
Testing on Google Drive was completed using the following systems:
A. Desktop browsers: Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Safari.
B. Assistive technologies: JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver.
C. Accessibility testing tools: Browser developer tools.
Google Docs is the NIHR Hub document creation, editing and exporting tool, enabling the development and sharing of professional documents. Google Docs is WCAG 2.1 AA compliant, with the full report available here noting any areas of partial rather than total support
Evaluation methods used: The following applications were used to evaluate this product:
A. Desktop browsers: Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Safari.
B. Assistive technologies: JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver.
C. Accessibility testing tools: Browser developer tools
Google Slides is the presentation tool for the NIHR Hub. Google Slides provide the following Accessibility Report available here outlining where they support WCAG 2.0 AA
Google Mail is the NIHR Hub email tool, enabling the sending and receiving of emails to an @nihr.ac.uk account. Google Mail is WCAG 2.1 AA Compliant, with the full report available here noting any areas of partial rather than total support
Testing on Google Drive was completed using the following systems:
JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, ChromeVox, Color Contrast Analyzer, Chrome Browser
Google Sheets provide the data processing and spreadsheet functionality for the NIHR Hub. Google Sheets provide the following Accessibility Report available at the following link outlining where they support WCAG 2.0 AA.
Google Meet provides the video conferencing tool as part of the NIHR Hub. Google Meet provide a full accessibility report outlining where they support WCAG 2.0 AA guidelines.
Google Calendar provides the calendar management and meeting invitation functionality for the NIHR Hub. Google Calendar do not provide a full accessibility report, however confirm they are able to meet the following fundamental criteria of accessibility:
Keyboard accessible
Screen reader support
Screen magnifiers support
Use ARIA tags and element labels
Google provides the following guidance on using the Google Calendar application with a screen reader.
Guidance on using Google Calendar keyboard shortcuts is available here.
Google Forms enables users to create forms, quizzes and surveys; share them with people; and track responses. Users can create, edit and navigate forms with a screen reader and keyboard shortcuts. Google Forms partially supports WCAG 2.0 AA in all areas, and fully supports WCAG 2.0 AA in most areas. This is outlined in the Google VPAT Report.
Resources include:
Accessibility for Docs editors
Google Sites enable users to create and share websites within seconds. The development of these sites (not to be confused with the viewing of these Sites, although there will be inherent overlap), meet WCAG 2.0 accessibility criteria (with exceptions), with a full report available
As neither Google nor PA Consulting are in control of the content that is posted and whether this meets accessibility guidelines, Google provide suggestions as to how a site can improve their accessibility.
By using Google Sites, it is the user’s responsibility to ensure WCAG 2.0 Accessibility Criteria are met as a minimum, particularly on Public facing sites. Any users with Sites not meeting this criteria will be asked to remove them immediately.
Google CloudSearch is the search tool for the NIHR Hub, and covers the external CloudSearch tab that a search through the Hub homepage then takes a user to. While CloudSearch does not have a full accessibility statement attributed to it, it has confirmed it is applicable for Screen Readers, available at the below link: https://support.google.com/cloudsearch/answer/6293905
Google Classroom is the training and teaching platform provided as part of the NIHR Hub. Google Classroom is WCAG 2.0 AA compliant, with the full accessibility report available at the following link, indicating areas of partial support: https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/google_classroom_vpat.pdf
Support on using Google Classroom with a screen reader is available at the following link: https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/answer/6084551
