Gradescope Web Accessibility Statement
The University of Leeds is committed to making its digital estate accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Gradescope is a tool offered by Turnitin for submission and marking of a number of different assessment types including paper-based assignments and computing code.
This statement applies to accessibility within the system itself, and does not cover uploaded course content. Additional relevant information may be highlighted in module-specific accessibility statements within Minerva. Accessibility statements for other integrated tools are available via the Accessibility Statements for Digital Education Systems page.
Compliance status
Gradescope is partially compliant and has been designed and developed in accordance with the internationally standard Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below. Turnitin, our vendor, has provided further accessibility information, including an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) available via the Turnitin website.
Accessibility within Gradescope
Gradescope supports the use of screen readers, keyboard and swipe navigation, and speech recognition software. Adjustable browser settings for magnification are supported as well as colours, contrast and fonts.
Screen readers
Gradescope is designed to work on Voiceover and JAWS, and should generally be accessible with all other screen reader and dictation technologies.
Keyboard navigation and shortcuts
Industry standard keyboard interactions are used throughout to move between menus, open menus, and select items within a menu. Keyboard navigation patterns differ between browsers such as Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Chrome. The interactions within any particular browser are common and consistent.
In grading pages, the keyboard shortcuts map can be found by selecting shift + ? or by selecting Keyboard Shortcuts.
Feedback indicators
Feedback indicators are available to signal to students to view feedback for marked work
Non-accessible Content
Areas of non-compliance
Non-text Content
Some decorative icons and content not presented to users is perceived by assistive technology. This fails WACG 2.1 success criteria 1.1.1 Non-text Content (Level A).
Use of Colour
Grade scores use a red colour to convey information that is not explained, as well as "not submitted, deadline passed" indicators in mobile app. This fails WACG 2.1 success criteria 1.4.1 Use of Color (Level A).
Reflow
In some pages there is content that disappears, overlaps, or is cut off when viewing the page at 200% browser zoom. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.4.10 Reflow (Level AA).
Keyboard
Some interactive controls cannot be navigated to and/or operated with the keyboard alone, such as question links in the Review Submission page. This fails WACG 2.1 success criteria 2.1.1 Keyboard (Level A).
Focus Order
In some pages when zoomed to 200% the visual order between sections is reversed but navigate differently keyboards and screen readers. This fails WACG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.3 Focus Order (Level A).
Focus Visible
The focus indicator is invisible or obscured while on Save answer, Submit, and View. This fails WACG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.3 Focus Order (Level A).
Language of Page
Changing the default language settings in Account Settings does not change the programmatically-set language of the page. This fails WACG 2.1 success criteria 3.1.1 Language of Page (Level A).
Error Suggestion
On Student - Timed Homework Image an error message states a wrong file was uploaded, but does not state which file types are accepted when this information is known and displayed elsewhere on the page. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 3.3.3 Error Suggestion (Level AA).
Advisory Issues
Student-generated content
Gradescope uses content generated from the users, typically paper-based exams and homework submitted by students as a PDF, that makes it infeasible for Gradescope to rely upon users to provide accessible alternatives such as PDF tagging and alternative text. Staff grading tools are compliant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, though accessibility may be limited within submissions themselves.
Non-accessible Content in the Gradescope App
Areas of non-compliance
Focus Order
On logging in, screen reader and keyboard focus will begin with the Sign in with email field, requiring users to navigate backwards to access the earlier School Credentials field. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.3 Focus Order (Level A).
Consistent Identification
When submitting an assignment with a device camera, selecting next to scan another page is required before being able to select done. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation (Level AA).
What we are doing about known issues
University of Leeds is committed to improving accessibility across all our sites. Where issues are identified we will work to warn users and provide alternatives, while working with our vendors to enact continuous improvements. Web accessibility statements are developed through testing within the Digital Education Service in collaboration with University IT and reviewed annually.
Preparation of this Accessibility Statement
This statement was prepared on 14 June 2024.
Auditing and testing was led by self-assessment from the Digital Education Service Systems Team. Testing is undertaken internally on PC, tablet and mobile devices using Voiceover and TalkBack screen readers and browser-based accessibility tools in Chrome, Safari and Firefox.
Feedback and Contact Info
If you would like more information, find any problems not listed in this statement, or feel we're not meeting your accessibility needs, please contact the Digital Education Systems Team via the IT Service Desk.
via the web: Open an IT ticket on the University IT website
by phone: Call the IT Service Desk on 0113 343 3333
If you encounter issues accessing learning content, please also contact your School in the first instance.
Enforcement procedure
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your concerns, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).