A belief at the core of Vevox is to value every voice. It's where our name comes from and forms part of our mission statement to offer an equal voice to everyone in the workplace and classroom.
For a more detailed understanding about accessibility and Vevox you can read our accessibility statement and look at our VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template).
Using a screen reader
We test our Vevox participant app using the following screen readers.
- NVDA on Windows 10
- Screen Reader for Chrome (formerly ChromeVox)
Using a keyboard
All of the main functionality of the Vevox participant app (https://vevox.app) can be controlled with a keyboard when using it on a desktop/laptop computer. This includes general navigation around the app, asking questions and answering polls.
- Tab - Navigate to the next interactive element
- Shift+Tab - Navigate to the previous interactive element
- Space or Enter - Activate the currently selected link or button
- Arrow keys and numbers - Used for voting in various polls types
General tips as a presenter
Your environment or scenario is the biggest thing to be mindful of when using Vevox. Remember that you, as a presenter, are the one in control, and you can dictate the pace of the session.
Live polling
When opening and closing polls make sure you give everyone enough time to understand the question and to provide a response. If you are asking a long question make sure people have a chance to read all of the text. Similarly, if you are asking a question requiring a text-based response, make sure you allow plenty of time for people to answer.
The same goes when displaying results. Don't assume people will read a result or can easily see and understand it. Read through the content on screen and comment on the result. This will help reinforce the information being displayed and help people stay engaged in the conversation.
Using images in questions
Vevox supports alt text for images you upload yourself into the platform. We strongly recommend that if you are providing your own imagery for then you add alt text in order to explain the image to a person who might have partial or low vision. Alt text is read aloud to users by screen reader software and it also displays on the page if the image fails to load.
When uploading your own images, describe the image in words so that the visually impaired readers can clearly understand what the picture is about.
Any existing alt text is also included when using imagery from our stock library (licensed from Unsplash). However, not all images contained within the library have alt text defined. The alt text will show as 'null' if there is no description. Of course, you can still change the 'null' description and add your own interpretation of the image. The character limit for alt text is 150 characters.
All default images that are visible in the Vevox dashboard and participant app also have pre-populated alt text descriptions.
Be aware when using the 'Pin on Image' question type; this question type, by its nature, heavily relies on the ability to see and understand an image and respond by selecting a specific area of the image. Therefore, it may not be suitable for all people in your audience.
Using countdown timers & sound in your polls
Vevox offers optional countdown timers for live polling, with adjustable durations to suit various poll types. The timer can be set to start automatically or manually, and the poll will close when the timer reaches zero. Before adding a timer, consider your audience's needs and adjust the countdown length to ensure full participation.
The only sound or music available in Vevox is tied to the countdown timer for specific polls or sessions. By default, countdown timer music is enabled and plays automatically from the start to the end of the timer. You can choose to turn off this music if you prefer a silent timer or even mute it while the timer is running. Note that countdown timer music only plays in Present view. In the Vevox PowerPoint integration, countdown timers do not include sound. Consider your audience and presentation space before enabling countdown music for your poll.
Self-paced surveys
Giving people their own time to look at and answer polls is an alternative if you are concerned about the pace of a session. Using a survey is a great way to ensure people can understand questions fully and provide their answers without the pressure of time in a meeting or lecture.
Use of color
We allow the Vevox participant app to be customizable when it comes to colors. This means you can change the theme to color combinations that don't always work well together. If you want to change the colors in the participant app, always try to use strong colors that will contrast well with white or black text.
If in doubt, stick with the default Vevox theme. It fully complies with the WCAG's color contrast requirements.
If you have any comments or feedback about accessibility within Vevox, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us at support@vevox.com.
Dark and Light Modes for Dashboard & Participant App
Adopting a darker mode has demonstrated its efficacy in alleviating eye strain. Now, users can seamlessly switch between dark and light modes based on their preferences.
Ensuring high contrast and legible text is crucial for users with visual impairments. To activate the darker mode on the Vevox dashboard, log in to your Vevox account. Navigate to your account details under your initials, choose the theme option, click on the darker theme, and save. Follow the same steps to revert to the light mode.
For the participant app, access the hamburger button, click on the theme, and select the darker mode version for an improved visual experience and save.