AcornSmarts is a Pre-K–12 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 tests that run in our release script before each deploy, plus manual keyboard and screen-reader checks. The automated tests cover many screens and activity components, including the newest modes (Puzzle Play, Bookshelf, Acorn Shop, Teach-Back, Question Maker and Story Quest) and a Spanish-mode pass, and a serious or critical finding stops the release. They do not cover every screen. Our manual checks were done on the Pre-K–5 app. Grades 6–8 (live since 15 Sep 2026) and 9–12 (live since 16 Sep 2026) have not had the same review yet: the automated tests open no grade 9–12 screen and only three grade 6–8 cards. It is not (yet) an independent third-party audit; see “How we test” and “Known limits.”
Perceivable
- Color contrast checked against AA. Before each deploy, an automated axe-core scan checks text contrast on a fixed set of screens in the built app, and any contrast violation it reports stops the release. Our component tests do not check contrast. 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 font designed to make reading easier. 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
- Keyboard-operable practice. Every answer control in practice is a real, focusable button, so the practice loop works without a mouse or touch. Tracing and drawing items offer an “I traced it on paper” / “I drew it on paper” button instead, and the optional Acorn Catch reward game needs a pointer. 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
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) Pre-K–12. English and Spanish across the child, parent, and teacher experiences from Pre-K through grade 12; in grades 9–12 the skill names and their one-line descriptions are in English. 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 in the app. 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, run before each deploy. Our component tests use its default rule set and fail on serious or critical findings; they do not check color contrast. A second scan opens a fixed set of screens in the built app, some in Spanish, and checks them with axe-core’s WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA rules. Automated tests find only some accessibility problems. Manual: keyboard-only walkthroughs and focus checks in a real browser (confirming focus lands on each new question), plus screen-reader spot checks. This is our own testing — not an independent certification.
Known limits — stated honestly
- Conformance here reflects our own testing, not a third-party audit. We have a self-assessed Accessibility Conformance Report based on the VPAT® 2.5 (WCAG edition) format. It is dated 17 Aug 2026, covers grades Pre-K–5 only, and lists corrections we added on 16 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Email info@acornsmarts.com for a copy. Grades 6–8 and 9–12 have not had the same review yet.
- Placeholder hint text inside some form fields is lighter than the AA contrast ratio.
- Some activities need a pointer: finger-tracing letters and drawing shapes (keyboard and switch users get an “I traced it on paper” / “I drew it on paper” button instead), and the optional Acorn Catch reward game, which cannot be played with a keyboard. None of these is needed to progress. There is no dedicated switch-scanning mode.
- 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.