--- title: Accessibility Roadmap | VoiceThread description: "VoiceThread's accessibility roadmap: completed work, current projects, and planned improvements." --- [Skip to content](https://learn.voicethread.com/accessibility-roadmap#main-content) [![VT Logo\_white](https://learn.voicethread.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VT%20Logo_white.png?width=280&height=194&name=VT%20Logo_white.png "VT Logo_white")](https://learn.voicethread.com?hsLang=en) - Products - [K-12](https://learn.voicethread.com/k12?hsLang=en) - [Higher Ed](https://learn.voicethread.com/highered?hsLang=en) - [Business](https://learn.voicethread.com/business?hsLang=en) - [Personal](https://learn.voicethread.com/personal?hsLang=en) - Solutions - [Health Sciences Education](https://learn.voicethread.com/health-sciences-education?hsLang=en) - [Visual Arts Education](https://learn.voicethread.com/visual-arts?hsLang=en) - [Business Education](https://learn.voicethread.com/business-education?hsLang=en) - [STEAM Ed](https://learn.voicethread.com/steam-ed?hsLang=en) - [Language Learning](https://learn.voicethread.com/language-learning?hsLang=en) - [Performing Arts](https://learn.voicethread.com/performing-arts?hsLang=en) - [Theology and Religious Studies](https://learn.voicethread.com/theology-and-religious-studies?hsLang=en) - About - [Blog](https://voicethread.com/blog/) - [Research](https://voicethread.com/research/) - [Jobs](https://voicethread.com/careers/) - Learning - [AI & Academic Integrity](https://learn.voicethread.com/voicethread-and-ai?hsLang=en) - [AI & Learning Science](https://learn.voicethread.com/principles-of-learning?hsLang=en) - [RSI - Real and Substantive Interaction](https://learn.voicethread.com/solutions/substantive-interaction-by-design?hsLang=en) - [Free workshops](https://learn.voicethread.com/free-workshops?hsLang=en) - [VT Certification](https://voicethread.com/vce) - [Digital Library](https://voicethread.com/library) - [Accessibility](https://learn.voicethread.com/accessibility?hsLang=en) - [How to](https://voicethread.com/howto/) - [Contact](https://voicethread.com/support/contact/) - [Register](https://voicethread.com/register/) - [Sign in](https://voicethread.com/login/) # Accessibility Roadmap **Last updated:** October 2026 This page documents our ongoing accessibility work: what we've recently completed, what's currently in progress, and what's planned. We update this page as work ships, and at least quarterly. For our full accessibility documentation, see [Accessibility at VoiceThread](https://learn.voicethread.com/accessibility?hsLang=en). For our current VPAT, [view here](https://learn.voicethread.com/accessibility/vpat?hsLang=en). --- ## Recently Completed | Date | Item | WCAG Criteria | | --- | --- | --- | | October 2026 | Slide descriptions are read aloud by screen readers even when the slide has audio attached | 1.1.1 Non-text Content | | October 2026 | Comment channel navigation behaves predictably for screen reader users when the channel is collapsed | 4.1.2 Name/Role/Value | | June 2026 | Screen reader reading order: slide content announced before the comment channel | 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence, 2.4.3 Focus Order | | June 2026 | Slide media announced with position, title, and playable audio/video status, with play/pause control | 4.1.2 Name/Role/Value | | June 2026 | Comments reachable by keyboard when the comment channel is collapsed; comment search activates only on deliberate action | 2.1.1 Keyboard, 4.1.2 Name/Role/Value | | June 2026 | Mobile pointer gesture alternatives: tappable buttons for zoom | 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures | | June 2026 | Lang attribute added across marketing and support pages | 3.1.1 Language of Page, 3.1.2 Language of Parts | | June 2026 | Media player tooltip updates for hover/focus content | 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus | | April 2026 | Assignment Builder role/state improvements | 4.1.2 Name/Role/Value | | April 2026 | Keyboard navigation in comment threads | 2.1.1 Keyboard, 4.1.2 Name/Role/Value | | Mar 2026 | Comment channel tab order improvements | 2.4.3 Focus Order | | Mar 2026 | Player bar contrast increased to pass WCAG level AAA | 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) | | Sept 2025 | Fixed blurry landing page video | 1.4.5 Images of Text | | Aug 2025 | Switched default audio file type to AAC for broader compatibility | — | | May 2025 | Font size improvements to grader cards | 1.4.4 Resize Text | | May 2025 | Mobile native view redesign for simplified navigation | 2.4.3 Focus Order | The October 2026 fixes were reported by an institutional accessibility team. --- ## In Progress These items are actively being worked on. | Item | WCAG Criteria | Target | | --- | --- | --- | | Playback speed slider accessible name | 4.1.2 Name/Role/Value | In verification | | Manager rebuild: proper structure and names for every control | 1.3.1 Info and Relationships, 4.1.2 Name/Role/Value | In QA | --- ## Planned ### Winter and Spring 2027 | Item | WCAG Criteria | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | Character key shortcut customization | 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts | Allow users to disable/remap shortcuts. Built alongside caption styling, since both use the same new user settings. | | Caption styling customization | EN 301 549 7.1.4 | Font, size, color options | | Activity name field validation | 3.3.1 Error Identification | VT HomePage flow | ### Removed Share page icon accessibility (eye/message icons): these icons are no longer part of the share interface, so this item no longer applies. --- ## Under Review These items have been reported but require investigation before we can commit to a timeline. | Item | Source | Status | | --- | --- | --- | | Focus visible state on media player controls | IU ATAC Review (Dec 2025) | Investigating — need clarification on specific elements | | Resize text/reflow behavior | IU ATAC Review (Dec 2025) | Under review — may be intentional responsive design | --- ## How We Prioritize Accessibility work is prioritized based on: 1. **User impact** — Issues affecting core workflows (creating, viewing, commenting) take precedence over administrative interfaces 2. **Severity** — Barriers that completely block access are prioritized over inconveniences 3. **Frequency** — Issues affecting common user paths are prioritized over edge cases 4. **Feasibility** — Some fixes require architectural changes that must be sequenced carefully We also respond to specific customer needs. If your institution has identified an accessibility barrier affecting your users, contact us at [accessibility@voicethread.com](mailto:accessibility@voicethread.com). --- ## Reporting Issues If you encounter an accessibility barrier: **Email:** [accessibility@voicethread.com](mailto:accessibility@voicethread.com) **Please include:** - What you were trying to do - What happened (or didn't happen) - Your browser and assistive technology (if applicable) - Screenshots or screen recordings if possible *We respond to accessibility reports within 2 business days and will provide an initial assessment within 5 business days.* --- ## Update History | Date | Changes | | --- | --- | | October 2026 | Added two screen reader fixes reported by an institutional accessibility team: slide descriptions on slides with audio, and comment channel navigation when collapsed. Moved the Manager rebuild to In Progress (now in QA). Retargeted keyboard shortcut customization, caption styling, and activity name validation to Winter and Spring 2027. Removed the share page icon item, which no longer applies. | | July 2026 | Added June 2026 screen reader improvements: reading order, slide media announcements, and comment reachability. | | June 2026 | Completed mobile pointer gesture alternatives (2.5.1) and page language identification (3.1.1/3.1.2); added media player tooltip fix for content on hover/focus (1.4.13); moved April 2026 Name/Role/Value fixes to completed; updated Manager rebuild target to Fall 2026; refreshed in-progress and planned items. | | March 2026 | Added contrast fix to completed; updated IU review items; updated targets to Q2 2026 | | February 2026 | Initial public roadmap published | Questions about this roadmap? Contact [accessibility@voicethread.com](mailto:accessibility@voicethread.com) - Learning - [AI & Academic Integrity](https://learn.voicethread.com/voicethread-and-ai) - [AI & Learning Science](https://learn.voicethread.com/principles-of-learning) - [RSI - Real and Substantive Interaction](https://learn.voicethread.com/solutions/substantive-interaction-by-design) - [Research](https://voicethread.com/research) - [Blog](https://voicethread.com/blog/) - [How to](https://voicethread.com/support/howto/) - [Digital Library](https://voicethread.com/about/library/) - [Accessibility](https://learn.voicethread.com/accessibility) - [Contact us](https://voicethread.com/support/contact/) - Solutions - [Health Sciences Education](https://learn.voicethread.com/health-sciences-education) - [Visual Arts Education](https://learn.voicethread.com/visual-arts) - [Business Education](https://learn.voicethread.com/business-education) - [STEAM Ed](https://learn.voicethread.com/steam-ed) - [Language Learning](https://learn.voicethread.com/language-learning) - [Performing Arts](https://learn.voicethread.com/performing-arts) - [Theology and Religious Studies](https://learn.voicethread.com/theology-and-religious-studies) - Products - [Personal](https://learn.voicethread.com/personal) - [Business](https://learn.voicethread.com/business) - [Higher Ed](https://learn.voicethread.com/highered) - [K12](https://learn.voicethread.com/k12) - Account - [Shopping Cart](https://voicethread.com/account/checkout) - [Purchases](https://voicethread.com/account/purchases/) - [Exports](https://voicethread.com/account/exports/) - [Notifications](https://voicethread.com/account/notifications/)   [Terms of Use](https://voicethread.com/termsofuse/) [Privacy Policy](https://voicethread.com/privacy/) Copyright © 2026 VoiceThread Inc. All rights reserved