The Voatz mobile elections platform provides robust support for all voters, including those with visual, cognitive, mobility, and dexterity disabilities. Hearing is not required for voting (unless using a screen reader). To the greatest extent possible, we comply with all applicable accessibility standards and guidelines and provide verification in independent reports.
Voatz follows these industry and regulatory accessibility standards:
- EAC Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG v1.1) for usability and accessibility
- Worldwide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 level AA (WCAG 2.1/AA)
- Apple iOS and Android best practices for accessibility
The Voatz mobile apps (VMA) support these native smartphone capabilities:
- VoiceOver and TalkBack screen readers
- Predictable layout and navigation
- Configurable font size
- Voice Control (on iOS)
- Speech-to-Text (for write-ins)
- Flexible session timeout limitations
Watch the following video about how VoiceOver/TalkBack screenreaders assist visually-impaired voters:
Watch the following video about how Voice Control navigation assists dexterity-impaired voters:
Please refer to the Accessibility Conformance Reports (VPAT) in the 'Additional Resources' section below for detailed WCAG information.
The Voatz web apps (VWA) support these browser-compatible capabilities:
- NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack and JAWS screen readers
- Predictable layout and navigation
- Configurable font size
- Voice Control (on MacOS)
- Speech-to-Text (for write-ins)
- Flexible session timeout limitations
Please refer to the Accessibility Conformance Reports (VPAT) in the 'Additional Resources' section below for detailed WCAG information.
Development Methodology
Voatz incorporates accessibility and usability design throughout its development process:
- Voatz partnered with the National Center for Accessible Media for recommendations on usability and accessibility. Read more about the partnership here.
- Voatz software is evaluated in-house by professional testers with previous WCAG 2.1 and certified voting systems experience. Read the VPAT statements below.
- Voatz engaged Pro V&V, an independent EAC-approved voting system testing laboratory (VSTL) certified in assessing accessibility compliance with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission's Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG 1.1). View Pro V&V’s Accessibility and Usability Test Report here.
- In addition to rigorous internal testing and remediation, Voatz continuously incorporates feedback from accessibility experts and voters with disabilities who have participated in elections using Voatz.