AcornSmarts is a Pre-K–5 supplemental practice app built with accessibility as a design constraint, not an afterthought. We target WCAG 2.1 Level AA. The conformance below is based on our own testing — automated axe-core scans that run inside our test suite on every build (every screen and every interactive activity component — 67 axe checks, including the newest modes: Puzzle Play, Bookshelf, Acorn Shop, Teach-Back, Question Maker and Story Quest, plus a Spanish-mode pass; serious or critical violations fail the build) plus manual keyboard and screen-reader checks — and is kept current as the product evolves. It is not (yet) an independent third-party audit; see “How we test” and “Known limits.”
Perceivable
- Color contrast meets AA. Automated axe-core scans across the app report 0 contrast violations; a placeholder-text case that failed was fixed app-wide. 1.4.3
- Never color alone. Right/wrong feedback pairs color with an icon and text, so it doesn’t depend on seeing color. 1.4.1
- Reading-friendly font option. A one-tap switch to Lexend, a typeface designed to aid reading proficiency. 1.4.8
- Easy-read mode. Roomier spacing on reading passages for emerging readers. 1.4.12
- Optional narration. Questions and prompts can be read aloud on the device. 1.1.1
Operable
- Full keyboard operability. Every answer control is a real, focusable button — the whole practice loop works without a mouse or touch. 2.1.1
- No keyboard trap; logical focus order. When a new question appears, focus moves to the question heading, so a keyboard or screen-reader user lands on it and hears it — verified in the browser. 2.4.3 · 2.1.2
- Visible focus. A high-contrast focus outline appears for keyboard users on every interactive element. 2.4.7
- Reduced motion honored. Animations respect the operating-system “reduce motion” setting. 2.3.3
- No time pressure. There is no timer on answering a question. 2.2.1
Understandable
- Plain, age-appropriate language and consistent, predictable navigation across screens. 3.1 · 3.2
- Fully bilingual. Complete English and Spanish throughout the child, parent, and teacher experiences. 3.1.2
- Supportive, not punishing. Hints and gentle scaffolding appear on a cold streak instead of dead ends. 3.3.1
Robust
- Semantic roles and labels. Icon-only controls carry accessible names; the question prompt is exposed as a heading. 4.1.2
- Live announcements. Feedback (correct / not quite, with the explanation) is announced through an ARIA live region. 4.1.3
- No third-party scripts. Fonts are self-hosted and the app loads no outside tracking or analytics — which also keeps the assistive-tech surface clean and predictable. Privacy / robustness
How we test. Automated: axe-core (WCAG 2.0/2.1 A & AA rule sets) run against the app’s screens. Manual: keyboard-only walkthroughs and focus checks in a real browser (confirming focus lands on each new question), plus screen-reader spot checks. We re-test after changes to the practice flow. This is diligent internal testing — not an independent certification, and not a formal VPAT®.
Known limits — stated honestly
- Conformance here reflects our own testing, not a third-party audit. A formal VPAT can be produced on request as the product matures.
- A few practice interactions (e.g. finger-tracing a letter) are enrichment on top of a standard, keyboard-operable path — they are not the only way to progress.
- Screen-reader behavior can vary by device and browser; if you hit a barrier with a specific setup, please tell us and we’ll prioritize it.
Found an accessibility barrier? We treat these as priority fixes. Contact Craig Watson, Black Swan Media Solutions — info@acornsmarts.com · 785-550-2830. Please include the device, browser, and assistive technology you were using.