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How Customization Can Affect Accessibility

The mySidewalk platform is built to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards by default. However, because dashboards are a user-configured product, there are three areas where your content and configuration choices affect accessibility compliance.

                                                                                                             

Color Palette

Charts and maps use colors from your dashboard's color palette. Our default palette meets accessibility contrast requirements, but custom palettes may not. If you use a custom palette, verify that your colors meet the WCAG 3:1 contrast ratio for non-text elements (like chart bars, map fills, and data lines). You can use our palette generator tool to check and find compliant replacement colors.                                                                    

Text Content and Instructions

When writing dashboard content, keep these three things in mind:

  • Don't rely on sensory cues alone. Avoid instructions like "click the red button" or "see the chart on the right" — always include a non-visual reference so all users can follow along.
  • Use live text, not images of text. Headings, labels, and body copy should be entered as text using the platform's text components, not embedded in uploaded images. Avoid text in images. Logos are the only exception.
  • Use descriptive headings. Headings should clearly describe the content that follows so users navigating by heading can orient themselves.                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Chart Category Labels

Keep category labels on chart axes concise. Very long labels (full sentences or lengthy phrases) may overlap or get clipped when users adjust their text spacing settings. Shorter, reasonable-length labels ensure readability for all users.