Assessment Information
eResource Title |
Vendor |
Overall Grade |
UpToDate |
Wolters Kluwer Health |
A |
Assessment for UpToDate by Conestoga - Module 1: Interface Appearance | Status: Complete | Grade: A-
Images
Positioning of Images
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Are the images positioned prominently and easy to find? |
Always |
|
|
Functional images embedded in the background
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Are there functional images embedded in the background? |
Never |
|
|
Presence of Icons
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Are there icons where appropriate, such as icons to indicate PDF Full Text, Download, Folder, Citation, etc? |
Always |
|
|
Alt Text
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Do informative images contain appropriate alt text or an appropriate textual alternative? |
Always |
|
|
Do functional images contain appropriate alt text or an appropriate textual alternative? |
Sometimes |
Functional images, e.g. buttons, are described using aria-labels, not alt text. For example, the "submit" button next to the search bar has the following aria-label: "Submit search". |
|
Do images used as text contain appropriate alt text or an appropriate textual alternative? |
Sometimes |
E.g. the UpToDate logo in the top left corner on each page is missing alt text. |
|
Content Scaling
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
When zoomed in at 200%, is text intact, readable, and not cut off? |
Always |
|
|
Are images clear and unpixelated at 200%? |
Always |
|
|
Is horizontal scrolling minimized at 200%? |
Always |
|
|
Colour and Contrast
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Do text and images have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1? |
Sometimes |
E.g. on the homepage, the History tab (under the search bar) has a few very low contrast errors in its headings.
On the 'Register for an UpToDate account' page, there are 17 very low contrast errors. |
|
Colour
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Do colour coded graphs have text equivalents? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Are blocks of content separated from one another using visual separation (such as whitespace or borders)? |
Always |
|
|
Are text alternatives provided where colour is used to indicate an action? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Text to speech
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Is there a choice embedded within the database that offers text to speech or read aloud options? |
Never |
|
|
Clustered Links
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Using your mouse, is the clickable area around links and buttons large enough for users to see and activate easily? |
Always |
|
|
Using your mouse to test links, are links and buttons far enough apart for users to accurately activate? |
Always |
|
|
Using any method to test links, are all links and buttons functional (i.e., not dead)? |
Always |
|
|
Are links or buttons accessible via keyboard navigation? |
Always |
|
|
Dynamic content
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Can users pause carousel movement? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Is all functionality, including navigating between carousel items, operable by keyboard? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Liquid layout
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Is the order of the text preserved at all screen resolutions, without overlap? |
Always |
|
|
Do images avoid overlapping at all screen resolutions? |
Always |
|
|
Is the overall reading experience preserved at all screen resolutions? |
Always |
|
|
Assessment for UpToDate by Conestoga - Module 2: Interface Navigation | Status: Complete | Grade: A
Labels and Instructions for Interactive Elements
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Are user input fields accompanied by clear instructions on what the user needs to do to successfully complete the form? |
Sometimes |
Some user input fields are not accompanied by instructions - e.g. the form fields on the 'Register for an UpToDate account' page. The search bar on most pages (except on the homepage) only contains placeholder text, with no labels or instructions. The 'Search Pathways' box on the UpToDate Pathways page only contains placeholder text as well. |
|
Do user input fields contain labels in addition to overall instructions mentioned above? |
Sometimes |
The form fields on the 'Register for an UpToDate account' don't have any visible labels (except in placeholder text).
The main search bar on most pages is unlabeled (except on the homepage).
The 'Find in Topic' search bar on each article page has a missing form label error.
The 'Search Pathways' search bar on the Pathways page has a missing form label error.
Calculators have many missing form label errors - e.g. 'Calculator: WHO assessment of malnutrition in females 2 to 5 years old' and 'Calculator: Clinical criteria for exudative pleural effusion in adults (Light's criteria)'. |
|
Are descriptions for fields and boxes easy to understand? |
Always |
|
|
Are labels placed above the user input fields and clearly associated with each field? |
Always |
|
|
Are text cues for coloured form control labels available? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Are other visual indicators provided consistently, such as an asterisk for required form fields? |
Sometimes |
Required fields are not marked in any way on the 'Register for an UpToDate account' page. |
|
Error Prevention
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Are user input fields either reversible, checked, or confirmed? One of the three is acceptable. |
Always |
|
|
Error Reports
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Are alert messages clearly visible to the user, either at the top of the form field, inline, or through a dialog box? |
Always |
|
|
Do alert messages clearly indicate the field in which the error has occurred and a description of the error and the fix? |
Always |
|
|
Is the user able to easily access the user input field to correct the error? |
Always |
|
|
Is the user able to resubmit the form and re-validate their submission? |
Always |
|
|
Do error reports follow a logical reading and navigation order? |
Sometimes |
Sometimes error messages appear at the top of the form, instead of above the relevant field, e.g. when trying to share an article with an invalid email address. |
|
Search function spell-check
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
When a user spells a word incorrectly, does the search function offer spelling suggestions or synonyms? |
Always |
|
|
Functionality of Interactive Elements
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Are icons such as to save, download, or print consistent across the site? |
Always |
|
|
Is alternative text clear and consistent for each icon type? |
Always |
|
|
Are actions consistently labelled across the site? For example, the “search” button is always labeled “search”. |
Always |
|
|
Are icons that have adjacent links consistent? |
Always |
|
|
Can the purpose of each link be determined from the link text alone? |
Always |
|
|
Consistent Navigation
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Does the eresource have a consistent layout and navigation across all pages? |
Always |
|
|
Are search fields located in the same places throughout the website? |
Always |
|
|
Do other features occur in the same place throughout the website? |
Always |
|
|
Are links, buttons, images, and other components that are used repeatedly throughout a website labeled consistently? |
Always |
|
|
Pop-up windows/Interruptions
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Does the electronic resource avoid the use of pop-up windows which open automatically in a new tab if a user clicks on a button? |
Sometimes |
The links at the very bottom of each page (Contact Us, About Us, UpToDate News, etc.) open automatically in a new tab when clicked. |
|
Does the database avoid launching pop-up windows automatically when the database is loaded? |
Always |
|
|
Where pop-ups occur, are users able to postpone or suppress any pop-ups? |
Never |
|
|
Does the database avoid launching pages in a new browser window with the usual browser controls missing? |
Always |
|
|
Headers
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Is page content subdivided hierarchically into appropriate headings and tagged appropriately? |
Sometimes |
No heading structure on the results page. Skipped first-level headings on a lot of pages. Not all headings on the page are structured as actual headings. |
|
Are headings concise and clear, and accurately reflect the content under that heading? |
Always |
|
|
Menus
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Do database page menus have a reasonable number of navigation items and drop-down options? |
Always |
|
|
Does the main navigation and drop-downs contain a reasonable number of menu items? |
Always |
|
|
Can all menus and submenus be accessed with screen readers and via keyboard navigation? |
Always |
|
|
Change of context
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Does the “results” page or item record view avoid opening in a new tab without a warning? |
Always |
|
|
Is there an "update now" button that requests a refresh of content rather than automatically updating the content? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Does the database avoid automatic redirection? |
Always |
|
|
Change of Context: Focus
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Does the form refrain from submitting automatically when a component receives focus? |
Always |
|
|
Does the database avoid launching new windows when a component receives focus? |
Always |
|
|
Does the database avoid change of focus when a component receives focus? |
Always |
|
|
Are you able to tab through a page using keyboard navigation without the keyboard focus moving away from the control? |
Always |
|
|
Assessment for UpToDate by Conestoga - Module 3: Interface Structure | Status: Complete | Grade: A+
Navigation Links
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Can the purpose of each link can be determined from the link text, or from the link text together with its surrounding context? |
Always |
|
|
Keyboard Navigation
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Can keyboard focus be moved to all page elements? |
Sometimes |
The 'Clear List' and 'Analyze' buttons on the Drug Interactions page do not receive tab key focus. However, they can be accessed with the arrows keys while using a screen reader. |
|
If moving keyboard focus away from a component requires more than arrow or tab keys, is this clearly indicated on the page? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Is default keyboard navigation order logical and intuitive, following the visual flow of the page as described above? |
Always |
|
|
When using a keyboard to navigate the interface, is the keyboard focus indicator visible? |
Always |
|
|
Does all interactive functionality work via keyboard, and does it behave consistently and as expected? |
Always |
|
|
Does focus order move sequentially across form fields? |
Always |
|
|
Skip Links
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Are there skip links (either visible or invisible)? |
Always |
|
|
Are skip links visible or invisible? |
Always |
Skip links are invisible. |
|
Are skip links (visible or invisible) positioned prominently near the beginning of the page? |
Always |
|
|
Are skip links labelled properly? |
Always |
|
|
Are skip links accessible via keyboard? |
Always |
|
|
Do anchors (link destinations) appear at the beginning of the relevant content? |
Always |
|
|
Do skip navigation controls appear in the same place on every page? |
Always |
|
|
Tables
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Does the reader capture accurate information as it appears in the table and the columns and rows? |
Always |
|
|
Frames
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Does the screen reader successfully navigate from one frame to another? |
Always |
|
|
Does each frame have a meaningful title that tells the user the purpose of the frame? |
Always |
|
|
When navigating the page using keyboard navigation, is the user able to navigate effectively from one frame to the next? |
Always |
|
|
Assessment for UpToDate by Conestoga - Module 4: Content | Status: Complete | Grade: N/A
PDFs
Searchable PDFs
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Are the sampled PDFs image-only? |
Not Applicable |
No PDF content - all articles are online-only. The text is both searchable and extractable. |
|
Are the sampled PDFs locked (secured)? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Are the sampled PDFs fully searchable? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Tagged PDFs
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Are alternative descriptions provided? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Is primary language specified? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Is reliable character encoding provided? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Are all page elements tagged? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Are list and table structure correct? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Structure: Reading Order
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Does the Read Out Loud function read the PDF in a logical way, preserving the order of the text and various sections? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Does the Read out Loud function avoid problematic elements such as excessive blank spaces read as “blank”? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Are the controls consistent and effective for navigating through the document? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Magnification
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
When zooming in to 250%, does all text, images, tables, and other elements appear clear and easy to read? |
Not Applicable |
No PDF content - all articles are online-only. When zooming in to 250%, all content remains clear and easy to read. |
|
Images
Positioning of Images
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Are the images positioned prominently and easy to find? |
Not Applicable |
No PDF content - all articles are online-only. Images in the articles are positioned prominently and easy to find. |
|
Alternative Description
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Do informative images contain appropriate alt text or an appropriate textual alternative? |
Not Applicable |
No PDF content - all articles are online-only. Informational images contain appropriate textual alternatives. |
|
Do images used as titles contain appropriate alt text or an appropriate textual alternative? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Do rich images contain appropriate alt text or an appropriate textual alternative? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Tables
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Are tables tagged and described with in-text summaries where appropriate? |
Not Applicable |
No PDF content - all articles are online-only. Table reading order is row-by-row, however, tables are structured without headings. |
|
Do table headers allow for easy navigation with screen readers? |
Not Applicable |
No PDF content - all articles are online-only. Tables don't contain table headers - they are structured as layout tables. |
|
Additional Navigational Aids
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Does the bookmarks panel display bookmarks? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Do bookmarks link to the correct sections in the document? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Video Captions
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Are videos captioned? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
If captions are closed, and need to be turned on by the user, is that process straightforward and intuitive? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Are captions typo-free and grammatically correct (unless slang and grammatical errors are intentionally used in the video)? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Does caption placement avoid blocking any important visual components necessary to understand the video? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Are the captions in sync with spoken words? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
For videos that contain captions, are transcripts provided? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
For videos that do not contain captions, are transcripts provided? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Described Video
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Do videos include described video, or if not, is there a text equivalent of the video provided on the same page or via a link? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
If the video includes described video or a text equivalent of the video, is it an accurate description of the video contents? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Audio Accessibility
Question |
Answer |
Notes |
Images |
Is a link to a text transcript provided in reasonable proximity to the audio clip? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
If a transcript is provided, does it accurately capture the content of the audio? |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Export CSVGo Back To Assessment