SmartPAL Accessibility Conformance Report
Report date: February 2026 · Published on smartpal.org
This page is SmartPAL’s public Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), based on VPAT® Version 2.5Rev (WCAG edition). For institutional review packets, download the official February 2026 PDF: vpat.pdf.
WCAG Edition
(Based on VPAT® Version 2.5Rev)
Name of Product/Version: SmartPAL
Report Date: February 2026
Product Description: SmartPAL is an AI-powered learning assistant designed to support student engagement and self-regulated learning within higher education courses. SmartPAL integrates with learning management systems (such as Canvas) and provides features including AI-assisted reflection, guidance, reminders, and instructor-facing insights. The product is accessed through modern web browsers by students, instructors, and administrators.
Contact Information: support@smartpal.org
Notes: This Accessibility Conformance Report is based on an internal evaluation of SmartPAL at the time of publication. Accessibility is an ongoing effort, and SmartPAL continues to monitor, improve, and remediate accessibility issues as part of its product development lifecycle. Third-party platforms or services integrated with SmartPAL are evaluated only to the extent that SmartPAL controls their configuration or presentation.
Evaluation Methods Used: The accessibility evaluation was conducted by team members with knowledge of SmartPAL’s general product functionality and common user workflows. The evaluation included a combination of manual and automated testing methods. Manual testing focused on keyboard-only navigation, focus management, form interactions, dialogs, and error handling across core user flows. Screen reader testing was performed to assess compatibility with assistive technologies and the programmatic exposure of labels, roles, states, and status messages. Automated accessibility testing tools were used to identify common WCAG-related issues, with results reviewed and validated through manual inspection. Testing was conducted against WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA success criteria for SmartPAL-controlled web interfaces. The conformance statements in this report apply to SmartPAL-controlled web interfaces, including the core SmartPAL product application.
Applicable Standards/Guidelines
This report covers the degree of conformance for the following accessibility standard/guidelines:
| Standard/Guideline | Included In Report |
|---|---|
| Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 | Level A (No) Level AA (No) Level AAA (No) |
| Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 | Level A (Yes) Level AA (Yes) Level AAA (No) |
| Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 | Level A ( No) Level AA (No) Level AAA (No) |
Terms
The terms used in the Conformance Level information are defined as follows:
Supports: The functionality of the product has at least one method that meets the criterion without known defects or meets with equivalent facilitation.
Partially Supports: Some functionality of the product does not meet the criterion.
Does Not Support: The majority of product functionality does not meet the criterion.
Not Applicable: The criterion is not relevant to the product.
Not Evaluated: The product has not been evaluated against the criterion. This can only be used in WCAG Level AAA criteria.
WCAG 2.1 Report
Note: When reporting on conformance with the WCAG 2.1 Success Criteria, they are scoped for full pages, complete processes, and accessibility-supported ways of using technology as documented in the WCAG 2.1 Conformance Requirements.
Table 1: Success Criteria, Level A
Notes:
| Criteria | Conformance Level | Remarks and Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1.1 Non-text Content (Level A) | Supports | All relevant non-text content includes appropriate text alternatives. |
| 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) (Level A) | Not Applicable | The product does not include pre-recorded video or audio |
| 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A) | Supports | Information and relationships are conveyed through semantic HTML markup and programmatic structure. |
| 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence (Level A) | Supports | Reading and focus order follow a logical sequence that preserves meaning and operability. |
| 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics (Level A) | Supports | Sensory info is never used alone to convey info |
| 1.4.1 Use of Color (Level A) | Supports | Information is not conveyed by color alone; additional text or visual cues are provided. |
| 1.4.2 Audio Control (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 2.1.1 Keyboard (Level A) | Supports | Core functionality is operable using a keyboard without requiring mouse input. |
| 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap (Level A) | Supports | Keyboard focus is not trapped within any component and can be moved away using standard keyboard navigation. |
| 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts (Level A 2.1 and 2.2) | Not Applicable | The product does not implement single-character keyboard shortcuts. |
| 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable (Level A) | Supports | The product does not impose time limits on user interactions that would require adjustment or extension mechanisms. |
| 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide (Level A) | Supports | |
| 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold (Level A) | Supports | No content flashes more than three times per second |
| 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks (Level A) | Supports | Mechanisms are provided to allow keyboard and screen reader users to bypass repeated navigation and access main content. |
| 2.4.2 Page Titled (Level A) | Supports | Dynamic titles include course names where applicable |
| 2.4.3 Focus Order (Level A) | Supports | Focusable components receive focus in an order that preserves meaning and operability |
| 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) (Level A) | Supports | Link text describes link content |
| 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures (Level A 2.1 and 2.2) | Not Applicable | The product does not require complex, multi-point, or path-based gestures; all functionality can be operated using simple pointer inputs. |
| 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation (Level A 2.1 and 2.2) | Supports | Pointer interactions do not trigger functionality on the down event; actions can be canceled before completion. |
| 2.5.3 Label in Name (Level A 2.1 and 2.2) | Supports | controls have accessible labels |
| 2.5.4 Motion Actuation (Level A 2.1 and 2.2) | Not Applicable | |
| 3.1.1 Language of Page (Level A) | Supports | primary default language “en” is specified |
| 3.2.1 On Focus (Level A) | Supports | No unexpected changes of context when elements receive focus |
| 3.2.2 On Input (Level A) | Supports | Changes on input controls happen only after the user commits (no auto submit or selection change without confirm |
| 3.2.6 Consistent Help (Level A 2.2 only) | Supports | Help mechanisms, where provided, are presented consistently across the application. |
| 3.3.1 Error Identification (Level A) | Supports | Input errors are clearly identified and communicated to users through text-based error messages. |
| 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (Level A) | Supports | Input linked to error message for association |
| 3.3.7 Redundant Entry (Level A 2.2 only) | Not Applicable (Exception) | The requirement to re-enter a new password during password reset falls under the security exception defined by this success criterion. |
| 4.1.1 Parsing (Level A) WCAG 2.0 and 2.1 – Always answer ‘Supports’ WCAG 2.2 (obsolete and removed) - Does not apply | Supports | For WCAG 2.0 and 2.1, the September 2023 errata update indicates this criterion is always supported. See the WCAG 2.0 Editorial Errata and the WCAG 2.1 Editorial Errata. |
| 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (Level A) | Supports |
Table 2: Success Criteria, Level AA
Notes:
| Criteria | Conformance Level | Remarks and Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2.4 Captions (Live) (Level AA) | NA | The product does not include live audio or video content. |
| 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) (Level AA) | NA | The product does not include prerecorded audio or video content. |
| 1.3.4 Orientation (Level AA 2.1 and 2.2) | Supports | SmartPAL interfaces support both portrait and landscape orientations. |
| 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose (Level AA 2.1 and 2.2) | Supports | Input fields that collect user information include appropriate programmatic identification of their purpose. |
| 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA) | Supports | Text and interactive elements meet minimum foreground and background contrast requirements. |
| 1.4.4 Resize text (Level AA) | Supports | Text can scale up to 200% without loss of content or functionality. |
| 1.4.5 Images of Text (Level AA) | Supports | Images of text are avoided except where essential, such as logos. |
| 1.4.10 Reflow (Level AA 2.1 and 2.2) | Supports | SmartPAL supports responsive reflow at 400% zoom (320 CSS pixels) without loss of content or functionality. Standard content reflows vertically without horizontal scrolling. |
| 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast (Level AA 2.1 and 2.2) | Supports | Visual indicators such as buttons, form fields, focus states, and icons are designed with sufficient contrast to support accessibility. |
| 1.4.12 Text Spacing (Level AA 2.1 and 2.2) | Supports | Content remains readable and functional when text spacing is adjusted per WCAG requirements. |
| 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus (Level AA 2.1 and 2.2) | Supports | Content displayed on hover or focus is dismissible, hoverable, and persistent where applicable. |
| 2.4.5 Multiple Ways (Level AA) | Supports | Users can locate content through multiple mechanisms, such as navigation menus and contextual links. |
| 2.4.6 Headings and Labels (Level AA) | Supports | Headings and labels describe topic or purpose and are used consistently. |
| 2.4.7 Focus Visible (Level AA) | Supports | Keyboard focus indicators are visible for all interactive components. |
| 2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) (Level AA 2.2 only) | NA | This success criterion was introduced in WCAG 2.2. SmartPAL testing was conducted against WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA only. |
| 2.5.7 Dragging Movements (Level AA 2.2 only) | NA | The product does not require dragging interactions for operation. |
| 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) (Level AA 2.2 only) | NA | This success criterion was introduced in WCAG 2.2. SmartPAL testing was conducted against WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA only. |
| 3.1.2 Language of Parts (Level AA) | Supports | Language changes within content are programmatically identified where applicable. |
| 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation (Level AA) | Supports | Navigation mechanisms are consistent across pages. |
| 3.2.4 Consistent Identification (Level AA) | Supports | Components with the same functionality are identified consistently. |
| 3.3.3 Error Suggestion (Level AA) | Supports | Error messages provide guidance to help users correct input where appropriate. |
| 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) (Level AA) | NA | The product does not process legal, financial, or sensitive data requiring error prevention under this criterion. |
| 3.3.8 Accessible Authentication (Minimum) (Level AA 2.2 only) | NA | This success criterion was introduced in WCAG 2.2. SmartPAL testing was conducted against WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA only. |
| 4.1.3 Status Messages (Level AA 2.1 and 2.2) | Supports |
Legal Disclaimer (Company)
This Accessibility Conformance Report is provided for informational purposes only and reflects SmartPAL’s assessment of the product at the time of publication. While SmartPAL makes reasonable efforts to ensure accessibility and to improve accessibility over time, this report does not constitute a contractual commitment, warranty, or guarantee of compliance. Accessibility may vary depending on user configuration, assistive technologies, browser, operating system, and third-party integrations. SmartPAL reserves the right to modify the product and update this report as needed.